In early 2023, regional migration visas in Australia were under a cloud of uncertainty. The Parkinson Report Migration, released in March 2023, failed to offer any guidance or support for regional migration options.
The final report suggests a recalibration of the skilled points test and even proposes the removal of points for regional study. It states, “In conjunction with this measure, existing regional concessions in mainstream permanent phases, such as additional points for regional study, could be removed to ensure those programs are strongly focused on selecting migrants who will best meet national economic objectives.”
Additionally, state nomination applications in Australia across all states were reduced by 70% from July 1, 2023, marking a significant downturn in the 2023-24 financial year.
However, early 2024 has seen positive developments in regional migration policy.
Migration Policy Developments 2024
Regional employer-sponsored nominations visas such as 482, 186, 494, and DAMAs are now the top priority in ministerial processing directives. This means they are processed above all others, including professions in teaching and health that were previously given high priority.
This shift demonstrates the Federal Government is encouraging migration to regional areas.
The new Skills in Demand Visa Australia includes an "Essential Skills" category visa for lower-skilled occupations, such as carers, with potential salaries below A$70,000. These visas aim to supply workers to regional areas for both caregiving and agricultural roles.
For the 2024 to 2025 financial year, skilled points visas, including the 189, 190, and 491 visas, will remain unchanged. The 491 Visa, designed for regional areas, continues to be available, dispelling rumors of its abolition in the Migration Review.
Several factors are at play, including a strong demand from industries and communities in regional Australia for migrants. Furthermore, the housing crisis has prompted the federal government to encourage migration away from Australia's largest cities, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
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All those visas have permanent residency pathway options and a guaranteed market salary for you.
Today we are going to talk about the 2 most popular employer sponsored: visa subclass 482 (temporary skills shortage) and lesser known 494 Visa (Skilled employer sponsored regional).
An approved Standard Business Sponsor might be able to nominate skilled workers.
Normally there must be involvement from both employer and employee sides for the visa application.
In this blog, we only mention what applicants need to know about the difference between 482 visas and 494 visas.
482 visa – Temporary skills shortage (TSS)
The TSS visa, or 482 visa, is a temporary visa that permits the holder to
Live in Australia with their immediate family members, children can go to school and secondary applicants over 18 years of age can work in Australia
Genuine intention to work in the nominated position
Qualifications that are relevant to the position
Adequate arrangements for health insurance
Meet health, character and English requirements
494 Visa – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
The 494 Visa Australia allows skilled workers to be sponsored by an Australian employer in a regional area for up to five years
494 Visa holders can: • live and work in Australia for up to five years • include immediate family on 494 visa • transition to permanent residency (if eligible) via the 191 Regional Skilled Visa
494 Visa Requirements To be eligible to apply for visa 494, applicants must
be under 45 years
have at least 3 years work experience
have a valid skill assessment
demonstrate competent English
meet the health and character requirements
This table below will show you the comparison between the 2 visa eligibility criteria
Requirement
482 Visa - Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS)
494 Visa - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
Age
There are no age limits for the 482 visas.
Age limits do apply for the permanent residency pathway unless an exemption applies
Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, unless exempt.
English requirement
Requirements depend on whether applicant’s occupation is within the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
MLTSSL (Medium Term): IELTS 5 in each band or 36 in each band for PTE.
STSOL (Short term): At least 4.5 in each band with an overall 5 for IELTS and at least 30 in each band (with an overall 36) for PTE.
Certain exemptions may apply, such as those who completed at least 5 years’ full-time study in a secondary/higher education institution where the medium of instruction was English.
Competent English - At least 6 in each band for IELTS or at least 50 in each band for PTE.
Applicants holding passports of Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, UK and US are exempt.
Skills Assessment
No, unless occupation and passport are specified in the legislative instrument
Certain exemptions apply, for instance 457/482 visa holders employed in the nominated occupation in Australia or Australian qualification holder that is commensurate to ANSCO-required qualification
Yes, although certain exemptions may apply such as those with positive skills assessment from 457/482 application
Work Experience
At least 2 years of work experience. According to departmental policy guidelines, this should have been within the past 5 years and casual employment is not counted.
At least 3 years of relevant employment experience. According to departmental policy guidelines, casual employment may be counted provided this equates to 38 hours per work.
NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 482 VISA AND 494 VISA
Similarities
Start with some similarities between the 2 visa subclass
It is obvious that both the 482 and 494 require applicants to be nominated by their employer.
There are some more similarities between the 482 visa and visa 494 in terms of:
Labour Market Testing (This is to show there is no suitable Australian citizen/permanent resident who can fill the nominated position)
The requirement to demonstrate the nominated salary is at least $53,900 (excluding superannuation)
Meets the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR) i.e.,
This ensures that the worker receives the salary that would be paid to an equivalent Australian worker in the same position at the same location.
In general, those are all the basic requirements to protect international workers.
Let’s move on to the most interesting part
Advantages and disadvantages between Visa 482 and Visa 494
There are 3 significant differences between the 2 visa streams
The dependence and Independence on Employer for Australian PR application
The most significant difference between the 494 visas and the 482 visas is the PR requirement.
With the 494 visas, you don’t need an employer to nominate you for PR.
Provided that you have met other 191 PR requirements such as:
Living and working in a designated regional area for 3 years
Have earned 53,900 per annum for those 3 years
*Please note this income threshold can be adjusted periodically in line with the inflation rate or consumer price index
For 482 Visa medium-term holders, they must be sponsored for a transition stream of PR 186 Visa.
More details can be watched the video below about how to get PR with 482 Visa:
However, there is no minimum income requirement to apply PR for 482 Visa holders.
The flexibility of location of work for 482 visa holders
Another difference between these two visas is flexibility in the location of the work.
The 482 does not require the visa applicant to work in a particular area, meaning they can work anywhere in Australia.
However, it depends on the occupation that applicants are holding to determine if they are eligible for PR or not.
That is why the 482 visa is very popular for skilled migrants who are currently working in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane because it is hard for them to get PR with Skilled nominated Visa 190.
As a result, international workers from metro areas are moving regional just for permanent residence options.
