5 Year Australia Work Visa with Family Guide (Subclass 494 Visa) – Eligibility to Application Process

5 Year Australia Work Visa with Family Guide: If you are dreaming of working for 5 years in Australia with your family, then Subclass 494 visa can be a great option for you. This 5 Year Australia Work Visa is for skilled workers who wish to work in regional areas of Australia. In this 5 Year Australia Work Visa guide, we will give you all the important information related to this visa, so that you and your family can make a new start in Australia.

A new country is not just a new address but a life-changing challenge. If you are a skilled professional looking to work in Australia, the Subclass 494 visa can be a great opportunity for you. This 5 Year Australia Work Visa gives you the opportunity to live, work and settle in regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. And yes, it can also provide you and your family a path to Permanent Residency (PR). So, let’s move on to understand every aspect of this visa.

5 Year Australia Work Visa with Family Guide (Subclass 494 Visa)

Why is Subclass 494 visa so special?

This visa is a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa. It is aimed at meeting the skill shortage in regional areas of Australia. Unlike other visas, it does not just restrict you to a few years but gives you up to 5 years to build your future there. Plus, you have a direct chance to get PR.

Now let’s find out why this visa is a game-changer:

Regional work requirement

The best part of this visa is that you have to live and work in regional areas, not in big cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane). This isn’t a bad thing; regional areas have lower living costs, and life is a little more relaxed. Plus, Australia’s natural beauty and friendly people will make your experience even better.

5-year validity

You get the right to live and work in Australia for 5 years. And during this time, you are free to travel outside Australia. This long period gives you a full chance to understand and experience Australian professional life.

Path to Permanent Residency

This visa gives you a direct chance to access Permanent Residency (PR). If you work on this visa for 3 years, and meet certain requirements (such as income thresholds), you can apply for a Subclass 191 visa, which can give you PR.

Family Inclusion

Yes, this visa covers not just you, but also your partner and children. Your family members can also live, work, and study in Australia. They also get access to Australia’s public healthcare (Medicare).

Access to Australia’s public healthcare (Medicare)

Medical expenses are a big concern when moving to a new country. But on a 494 visa, you and your family get access to Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare), which eases the burden of medical expenses.

Eligibility Conditions for 494 Visa

There are some important conditions for this visa that need to be met. Let’s know the key conditions:

Employer sponsorship

You must have a job offer from a recognized employer in regional areas of Australia. Your employer must nominate you for a skilled position that is included in the Australian Government’s Eligible Occupation List.

Skilled occupation

Your occupation must be one of the occupations that is on Australia’s Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), or Regional Occupation List (ROL). Occupations such as registered nurse, software engineer, civil engineer, and general practitioner are in high demand, with annual salaries ranging from AUD 75,000 to AUD 200,000.

Skills assessment

A positive skills assessment is required for your nominated occupation. This ensures that you have the qualifications and experience required to do the job in Australia.

Work Experience

You must have at least 3 years of full-time work experience in your field. This proves that you are a qualified professional and can contribute to Australia’s economy.

English Language Knowledge

You must meet minimum English language requirements, usually evidenced by IELTS or PTE scores.

Health and Character Checks

You and your family members must take a health test and police certificate to prove that you meet Australia’s health and character standards.

Age Limit

Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of application. In some cases, exceptions may be made if you have special skills or experience.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Employer Nomination

First, your employer will nominate you and make a nomination application. This confirms that it wants to sponsor you to work in regional Australia.

Visa application

Once your nomination is approved, you can submit your visa application online on the Immi Account portal. You will need to submit proof of your employment, skills assessment, work experience, English language ability and other documents.

Visa decision

The Department of Home Affairs will begin processing your application, which can take 6 to 18 months. In the meantime, you may be asked for further information or documents.

Job Search Platforms in Regional Australia

The Subclass 494 visa requires you to find an employer who will sponsor you. Some of the trusted platforms where you can find sponsored jobs in regional Australia are:

Path to Permanent Residency: Subclass 191 Visa

The biggest feature of the Subclass 494 visa is its path to PR. After working in regional Australia for 3 years, you can apply for the Subclass 191 visa, which will grant you permanent residency.