No products in the cart.
Uncategorized
Consider a regional visa after Covid-19
Australia has a new focus to get migrants to regional Australia rather than the main cities. They introduced a regional temporary visa 491 as well as a temporary regional work visa 494 with a pathway to permanent visa in few years. This option is an excellent option if you want to migrate to Australia as it increases your chances for a pathway for migration or for some it may only be the only option.
What is a 491 visa?
491 visa is a skilled work regional visa and allow for a state or territory or an eligible relative to sponsor you for 5 years to live and work in a designated regional area in Australia. This visa will also give you a pathway for PR after 3 years.
What is a 494 visa?
494 regional visa allow you to work for a regional employer with a pathway to permanent residency down the track after 3 years. The benefit of a 494 visa compared to a TSS – 482 work visa is that it has a wider occupation list but the requirements may even be more difficult that the general temporary work stream.
What is regional Australia?
Regional areas in Australia exclude Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The government divides the regional areas postcodes into three categories with incentive for each category.
Designated city or major regional centre:
| State | Postcode |
| New South Wales- NSW | 2259, 2264 to 2308, 2500 to 2526, 2528 to 2535 and 2574 |
| Victoria | 3211 to 3232, 3235, 3240, 3328, 3330 to 3333, 3340 and 3342 |
| Queensland | 4207 to 4275, 4517 to 4519, 4550 to 4551, 4553 to 4562, 4564 to 4569 and 4571 to 4575 |
| Western Australia | 6000 to 6038, 6050 to 6083, 6090 to 6182, 6208 to 6211, 6214 and 6556 to 6558 |
| South Australia | 5000 to 5171, 5173 to 5174, 5231 to 5235, 5240 to 5252, 5351 and 5950 to 5960 |
| Tasmania | 7000, 7004 to 7026, 7030 to 7109, 7140 to 7151 and 7170 to 7177 |
| ACT | All postcodes in the Australian Capital Territory |
Specified regional centre or other regional areas
| State | Postcode |
| New South Wales- NSW | 2250 to 2258, 2260 to 2263, 2311 to 2490, 2527, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2739, 2753 to 2754, 2756 to 2758 and 2773 to 2898 |
| Victoria | 3097 to 3099, 3139, 3233 to 3234, 3236 to 3239, 3241 to 3325, 3329, 3334, 3341, 3345 to 3424, 3430 to 3799, 3809 to 3909, 3912 to 3971 and 3978 to 3996 |
| Queensland | 4124 to 4125, 4133, 4183 to 4184, 4280 to 4287, 4306 to 4498, 4507, 4552, 4563, 4570 and 4580 to 4895 |
| Western Australia | All postcodes outside 6000 to 6038, 6050 to 6083, 6090 to 6182, 6208 to 6211, 6214 and 6556 to 6558 |
| South Australia | All postcodes outside 5000 to 5171, 5173 to 5174, 5231 to 5235, 5240 to 5252, 5351 and 5950 to 5960 |
| Tasmania | All postcodes outside 7000, 7004 to 7026, 7030 to 7109, 7140 to 7151 and 7170 to 7177 |
| Northern Territory | All postcodes |
Steps to get a 491 visa
Before you can apply for a 491 visa, you must:
- Have your occupation on the relevant occupation list
- Obtain a successful skills assessment for your occupation
- Be sponsored through a state/territory or an eligible relative.
- Lodge an Expression of Interest – EOI
- Be invited to lodge the application
Steps to get a 494 visa
Before you can apply for a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494 visa, you must*:
- Have your occupation on the relevant occupation list
- Obtain a successful skills assessment for your occupation-
- Be sponsored by a regional employer who lodge a nomination application for you or through a labor agreement.
- Meet the visa requirement which include 3 years of relevant work experience, be under the age of 45 and meet English Language requirement
*Exemptions may apply.
States nomination
Each state and territory has its own requirements for nominations for regional visas and it changes regularly.
NT and ACT are currently open for onshore applicants. NSW lists targeted to areas but broad categories. Tasmania is open but with a long backlog. Victoria open but highly limited. Western Australia open but with reduced occupation list. South Australia is open with a new occupation list. Queensland periodically open with the next window starting in April 2021.
Who is an eligible relative?
This stream is only available for the Medium and Long term list
Your sponsor must be:
- 18 years old or older
- usually resident in a designated area of Australia
- be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- be your or your partner’s eligible relative
An eligible relative can be:
- a parent
- a child or step-child
- a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
- an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
- a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
- a grandparent, or
- a first cousin
Permanent pathway
491 and 191 visa gives a pathway to Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa which is available from November 2022. You will need to:
- Have held a 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years
- Complied with your visa conditions: work, live and study in a regional area
- Meet minimum taxable income requirements
- Earnings of at least $53,900 per year for three years.
During the three years, you won’t have the chance to apply for any of the below visas:
- Subclass 124 and 858 – Distinguished Talent Visas
- Subclass 132 – Business Talent Visa
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
- Subclass 188 – Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 820/801 – Provisional/Permanent Partner Viss
Need Help?
Our firm is founded by Award Winner and Accredited Specialist, Marial Lewis who can look after your migration question.
If you require assistance with regional migration to Australia, feel free to contact our office on contact@crossoverlaw.com.au or book a 15 minutes obligation free consultation.
DISCLAIMER: Immigration law is complex and is subject to constant regulatory and policy change by the Australian government. The information provided above is a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. If you require legal advice please get in touch with our office.
