Visa 489 and Visa 494

The Subclass 489 and Subclass 494 visas are both regional employer-sponsored visas in Australia, but they have some key differences:

1. Purpose and Location

    • Subclass 489 visa: This visa is part of the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa program and is designed to bring skilled workers to regional areas facing labor market shortages. It allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.
    • Subclass 494 visa: This visa is part of the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa program and is also aimed at addressing labor market shortages in regional areas. It allows skilled workers to be sponsored by an Australian employer in a designated regional area.

2. Duration

    • Subclass 489 visa: This visa is valid for up to four years and allows the visa holder to live and work in a designated regional area.
    • Subclass 494 visa: This visa is valid for up to five years and allows the visa holder to live and work in a designated regional area.

3. Transition to Permanent Residency

    • Subclass 489 visa: Holders of the Subclass 489 visa may have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency through the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) after living and working in a designated regional area for at least two years and meeting other eligibility criteria.
    • Subclass 494 visa: The Subclass 494 visa includes a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. To be eligible for the Subclass 191 visa, the visa holder must have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least three years and meet other requirements.

4. Employer Support for Permanent Residency

    • Subclass 489 visa: To apply for permanent residency through the RSMS, the visa holder needs employer support and a nomination from an employer in a regional area.
    • Subclass 494 visa: The Subclass 494 visa allows the visa holder to access permanent residency after three years without requiring employer support. However, the visa holder must meet the eligibility criteria for the Subclass 191 visa.

5. Location Restrictions

    • Subclass 489 visa: This visa is not tied to specific regional employers or locations, giving the visa holder flexibility to change employers within the designated regional area.
    • Subclass 494 visa: The Subclass 494 visa requires sponsorship by an Australian employer in a designated regional area, and the visa holder must work for that specific employer during their stay.