Training visa (subclass 407)

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers and their families to live and work in regional areas of Australia for up to five years. Here’s a detailed overview of the key features and requirements of the subclass 494 visa:

1. Regional Sponsorship: The subclass 494 visa requires sponsorship by an approved employer located in a designated regional area of Australia. Employers must be approved as sponsors and nominate the position to be filled by the visa applicant.

2. Occupation Lists: The occupation to be filled must be on the relevant skilled occupation list specified by the Department of Home Affairs. This typically includes occupations that are in demand in regional areas.

3. Labour Market Testing (LMT): Employers are usually required to demonstrate that they have attempted to fill the position locally by conducting Labour Market Testing (LMT), unless international trade obligations apply.

4. Skills Assessment: Depending on the nominated occupation, visa applicants may need to undergo a skills assessment by a relevant assessing authority to ensure they have the required qualifications and experience.

5. English Language Proficiency: Most applicants need to demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved English language test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Exemptions may apply based on nationality and occupation.

6. Salary Requirements: Employers must pay a market salary rate to the visa holder, which meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), ensuring that overseas workers are not paid less than their Australian counterparts.

7. Visa Validity: The subclass 494 visa is valid for up to five years and allows visa holders and their eligible family members to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia.

8. Pathway to Permanent Residency: After holding the subclass 494 visa for at least three years and meeting specific residency and employment requirements in a designated regional area, visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)).

9. Health and Character Requirements: Visa applicants must meet health and character requirements. This usually involves undergoing a medical examination and providing police clearance certificates.

10. Family Members: Visa holders can include eligible family members in their application, such as spouses/partners and dependent children, who will have permission to work and study in Australia.

Overall, the subclass 494 visa provides a pathway for skilled workers to live and work in regional areas of Australia, helping to address skill shortages in those areas while offering opportunities for temporary residence and potential pathways to permanent residency.

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482):

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved employer in a nominated occupation for up to four years. Here’s a detailed overview of the key features and requirements of the subclass 482 visa:

1.Employer Sponsorship: The subclass 482 visa requires sponsorship by an approved employer in Australia. Employers must be approved as sponsors and nominate the position to be filled by the visa applicant.

2. Occupation Lists : The occupation to be filled must be on one of the skilled occupation lists – either the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), depending on the stream of the visa.

3. Labour Market Testing (LMT): In most cases, employers are required to demonstrate that they have attempted to fill the position locally by conducting Labour Market Testing (LMT) unless international trade obligations apply.

4. Skills Assessment: Depending on the nominated occupation, visa applicants may need to undergo a skills assessment by a relevant assessing authority to ensure they have the required qualifications and experience.

5. English Language Proficiency: Most applicants need to demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved English language test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Exemptions may apply based on nationality and occupation.

6. Salary Requirements: Employers must pay a market salary rate to the visa holder, which meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), ensuring that overseas workers are not paid less than their Australian counterparts.

7. Visa Streams: The subclass 482 visa offers three streams:
– Short-Term Stream: For occupations on the STSOL, allowing a stay of up to two years with a possibility of renewal once for a further two years.
– Medium-Term Stream: For occupations on the MLTSSL, allowing a stay of up to four years with a pathway to permanent residency after three years.
– Labour Agreement Stream: For employers with a labor agreement allowing access to more occupations and concessions.

8. Health and Character Requirements: Visa applicants must meet health and character requirements. This usually involves undergoing a medical examination and providing police clearance certificates.

9. Family Members: Visa holders can include eligible family members in their application, such as spouses/partners and dependent children, who will have permission to work and study in Australia.

10. Pathway to Permanent Residency: Depending on the stream of the subclass 482 visa, holders may have a pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) after meeting certain criteria.

Overall, the subclass 482 visa is a popular option for skilled workers who have an Australian employer willing to sponsor them and can meet the eligibility requirements.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186):

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers nominated by an approved employer to live and work in Australia permanently. Here’s a detailed overview of the key features and requirements of the subclass 186 visa:

1. Employer Nomination: The subclass 186 visa requires nomination by an Australian employer. The employer must be an approved sponsor and nominate the position to be filled by the visa applicant.

2. Occupation Lists: The nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list specified by the Department of Home Affairs. This typically includes occupations that are in demand in Australia.

3. Skills Assessment: Depending on the nominated occupation, visa applicants may need to undergo a skills assessment by a relevant assessing authority to ensure they have the required qualifications and experience.

4. English Language Proficiency: Most applicants need to demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved English language test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Exemptions may apply based on nationality and occupation.

5. Salary Requirements: Employers must pay a market salary rate to the visa holder, which meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), ensuring that overseas workers are not paid less than their Australian counterparts.

6. Visa Streams: The subclass 186 visa offers three streams:
– Temporary Residence Transition stream: For temporary residents who have worked for their employer in the nominated occupation for at least three years and meet other requirements.
– Direct Entry stream: For applicants who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia, or temporary residents who do not qualify under the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
– Agreement stream: For applicants sponsored through a labor agreement.

7. Health and Character Requirements: Visa applicants must meet health and character requirements. This usually involves undergoing a medical examination and providing police clearance certificates.

8. Permanent Residency: The subclass 186 visa grants permanent residency to successful applicants, allowing them and their eligible family members to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.

9. Pathway to Citizenship: After holding the subclass 186 visa for a certain period and meeting other eligibility criteria, visa holders may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

It’s important for applicants to carefully review the specific requirements of the subclass 186 visa stream they are applying for and seek advice from a registered migration agent if needed to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and have the best chance of success in their visa application.