VISA OPTIONS FOR ATTRACTING SKILLED MIGRANTS TO REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

There are many visa options available to workers seeking the move to Regional Australia. For the purposes of Immigration, the definition of Regional Australia is broadly outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Below is a list of the main visa options available for regional Australia:

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

The 494 visa, also known as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas a type of temporary visa issued by the Australian government for individuals seeking to live and work in regional areas of the country. This visa is designed to encourage skilled workers to relocate to regional Australia and support the growth and development of these areas. It’s an employer nominated visa, and its for a 5 year period.

To be eligible for the 494 visa, individuals must first be sponsored by an eligible employer who is based in a regional area of Australia. The employer must demonstrate that they are unable to find suitable local workers to fill the position they are offering, and must also provide a nomination for the employee to be considered for the visa. In addition to the employer sponsorship, individuals must also meet certain visa requirements, such as having a relevant skills assessment and passing the required English language proficiency test. They must also be under the age of 45 and meet other health and character requirements as determined by the Australian government.

One of the key benefits of the 494 visa is that it provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. After holding the 494 visa for three years, individuals may be eligible to apply for the permanent Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Residence) visa (Subclass 191). This can provide the opportunity for individuals to settle in regional Australia and build a new life in the country. The 494 visa also offers other benefits for individuals and their families, such as access to Australia's public healthcare system and the ability to study and work in the country. Additionally, the visa also provides opportunities for individuals to bring their spouse or partner and dependent children with them to Australia.

One of the challenges of the 494 visa is that it is restricted to regional areas of Australia. This can limit the range of job opportunities available to individuals and their families, and may also present other challenges, such as a lower cost of living or a smaller community compared to major cities. Despite these challenges, the 494 visa provides a valuable opportunity for skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia, and to contribute to the growth and development of these areas. The visa also provides a pathway to permanent residency in the country, making it an attractive option for individuals who are seeking a new life in Australia.

In conclusion, the 494 visa is a valuable option for skilled workers who are seeking to live and work in regional areas of Australia. With its pathway to permanent residency, the visa offers individuals and their families the opportunity to build a new life in the country, and to contribute to the growth and development of regional communities.

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

The 491 visa, also known as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, is a type of temporary visa issued by the Australian government for individuals seeking to live and work in regional areas of the country. This visa is designed to encourage skilled workers to relocate to regional Australia and support the growth and development of these areas. The 491 is not an employer sponsored visa, but rather an individual points based visa, and it’s a 5 year visa duration.

To be eligible for the 491 visa, individuals must first be nominated by a state or territory government, or by an eligible family member who is living in a designated regional area of Australia. The individual must also meet certain visa requirements, such as having a relevant skills assessment, passing the required English language proficiency test, and meeting health and character requirements as determined by the Australian government.

One of the key benefits of the 491 visa is that it provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. After holding the 491 visa for three years, individuals may be eligible to apply for the permanent Skilled Work Regional (Residence) visa, subclass 191 Visa. This can provide the opportunity for individuals to settle in regional Australia and build a new life in the country. The 491 visa also offers other benefits for individuals and their families, such as access to Australia's public healthcare system and the ability to study and work in the country. Additionally, the visa also provides opportunities for individuals to bring their spouse or partner and dependent children with them to Australia. Otherwise, the 491 is similar to the 494 visa.

In conclusion, the 491 visa is a valuable option for skilled workers who are seeking to live and work in regional areas of Australia. With its pathway to permanent residency, the visa offers individuals and their families the opportunity to build a new life in the country, and to contribute to the growth and development of regional communities.

The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa

The 191 visa, also known as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, is a type of permanent visa issued by the Australian government for individuals seeking to live and work in regional areas of the country. This visa is designed to encourage skilled workers to relocate to regional Australia and support the growth and development of these areas.

To be eligible for the 191 visa, individuals must first hold a provisional visa, such as the 491 or 494 visa, and have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years. They must also meet certain visa requirements, such as having a relevant skills assessment, passing the required English language proficiency test, and meeting health and character requirements as determined by the Australian government.

One of the key benefits of the 191 visa is that it provides permanent residency in Australia. This means that individuals who hold this visa are able to live and work in the country indefinitely, and have access to a range of benefits and entitlements, such as access to Australia's public healthcare system and the ability to study and work in the country. The 191 visa also offers other benefits for individuals and their families, such as the ability to bring their spouse or partner and dependent children with them to Australia. Additionally, the visa also provides opportunities for individuals to apply for citizenship, if they meet the eligibility criteria.

In conclusion, the 191 visa is a valuable option for skilled workers who have lived and worked in regional areas of Australia for at least three years. With its permanent residency status, the visa offers individuals and their families the opportunity to live and work in the country indefinitely, and to contribute to the growth and development of regional communities.

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) – Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The Regional Employer Sponsorship (Subclass 494) visa and also the Temporary Skill Shortage TSS visa, are popular options for Australian employers looking to sponsor skilled foreign workers to fill job vacancies in regional areas. The TSS visa program was introduced in March 2018 to replace the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (Subclass 457) and offers a pathway for skilled workers to live and work in Australia on a long-term basis.

One of the key options for Regional Employers is the expanded occupations lists for the TSS & SESR visas. The sponsored worker must be nominated for an occupation that appears on the Regional Occupation List (ROL). The ROL is a list of occupations that have been identified as being in high demand in regional areas of Australia, where the local labour market is unable to meet the demand for skilled workers. The ROL is updated regularly to reflect the changing needs of the regional labour market and includes a wide range of occupations, including but not limited to, trades, professionals, and managers. The ROL is divided into three streams: the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and the Regional Occupation List (ROL).

The STSOL includes occupations that are in high demand across Australia and are available for sponsorship for up to two years. The MLTSSL includes occupations that are in high demand in regional areas and are available for sponsorship for up to four years, with a pathway to permanent residency. The ROL is a subset of the MLTSSL and includes occupations that are specific to regional areas and are only available for sponsorship by employers located in regional areas. Employers looking to sponsor a foreign worker on a TSS visa must demonstrate that they are unable to find a suitable Australian worker to fill the job vacancy and that the foreign worker will be paid the market salary rate for the nominated occupation. The employer must also meet certain obligations, including providing the sponsored worker with suitable employment conditions and training opportunities, and ensuring that the sponsored worker is not exploited or mistreated.

In conclusion, the TSS visa program provides a valuable opportunity for Australian employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers to fill job vacancies in regional areas. The Regional Occupation List (ROL) is a key component of the TSS visa program and helps to ensure that the needs of the regional labour market are met while also promoting the growth and development of regional areas. Employers looking to sponsor a foreign worker on a TSS visa should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the program, including the ROL, and seek professional advice to ensure that the sponsorship process is completed successfully.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

The Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) program in Australia allows young people from eligible countries to live and work in Australia for up to two years. However, in order to be eligible for a second Working Holiday visa, visa holders must complete at least three months of specified work in regional Australia during their first visa period. This requirement is known as the "6-month regional work requirement."

The specified work must be done in an eligible regional area, which includes all of Australia except for the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast. The work must be in a specified industry, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction, and mining. The work must also be paid and for a minimum of 35 hours per week for a period of at least six months. The 6-month regional work requirement is designed to address skill shortages in regional areas and encourage Working Holiday visa holders to experience life in regional Australia. By completing the work requirement, visa holders can demonstrate their contribution to the regional economy and can strengthen their case for a second Working Holiday visa.

It is important to note that the 6-month regional work requirement must be completed in a single block of six months. This means that multiple shorter periods of work in different regional areas cannot be combined to meet the requirement. Visa holders must also ensure that they keep records of their regional work, such as payslips and tax records, as evidence of their eligibility for a second Working Holiday visa.

In conclusion, the 6-month regional work requirement for Working Holiday visas in Australia is an important component of the program and provides young people with the opportunity to live and work in regional areas while contributing to the local economy. It is important for Working Holiday visa holders to be aware of the requirements and to plan their regional work carefully to ensure that they are eligible for a second visa. (Note: Until 30th June 2023, there have been some covid concessions to the WHV).

The Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

The Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) program in Australia allows young people from eligible countries to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months. However, in order to be eligible for a second Work and Holiday visa, visa holders must complete at least three months of specified work in regional Australia during their first visa period. This requirement is known as the "6-month regional work requirement."

The specified work must be done in an eligible regional area, which includes all of Australia except for the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast. The work must be in a specified industry, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction, and mining. The work must also be paid and for a minimum of 35 hours per week for a period of at least six months. The 6-month regional work requirement is designed to address skill shortages in regional areas and encourage Work and Holiday visa holders to experience life in regional Australia. By completing the work requirement, visa holders can demonstrate their contribution to the regional economy and can strengthen their case for a second Work and Holiday visa.

It is important to note that the 6-month regional work requirement must be completed in a single block of six months. This means that multiple shorter periods of work in different regional areas cannot be combined to meet the requirement. Visa holders must also ensure that they keep records of their regional work, such as payslips and tax records, as evidence of their eligibility for a second Work and Holiday visa.

In conclusion, the 6-month regional work requirement for Work and Holiday visas in Australia is an important component of the program and provides young people with the opportunity to live and work in regional areas while contributing to the local economy. It is important for Work and Holiday visa holders to be aware of the requirements and to plan their regional work carefully to ensure that they are eligible for a second visa. (Note: Until 30th June 2023, there have been some covid concessions to the W&HV).

Information supplied by Registered Migration Agent, Fred Molloy, MARA Registration Number 0853698. This information is general in nature, subject to change and not specific migration advice. For more information, visit our affiliate partner Konnecting