SKILLS IN DEMAND VISA (subclass 482)
The Skills In Demand Visa is for skilled workers who have been nominated by an approved Australian employer to temporarily live and work in the country for up to five years, depending on the visa stream. This visa can offer a pathway to permanent residency.
To initiate the process, the employer must first be an approved Standard Business Sponsor, then nominate the position, before the employee can apply for the visa. The employer is required to meet various obligations, including performing Labour Market Testing to demonstrate no Australian worker is available, paying the employee at least the Annual Market Salary Rate, and paying the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
Applicants generally needs to possess a valid Skills Assessment for an eligible occupation, and have at least one year of relevant work experience, along with meeting minimum English requirements (though exemptions can apply in certain circumstances) and the standard health, character and compliance requirements. They may be eligible for a Bridging visa while their application is processed. Crucially, visa holders must only work in the nominated position for the nominating employer and cannot stop work for more than 60 days.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME VISA (subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely after being nominated by an eligible Australian employer. This visa is structured into multiple streams, including the Direct Entry stream and the Temporary Residence Transition stream, which is specifically for those transitioning from a temporary work visa like the Subclass 482.
Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age (unless an exemption applies) and meet the requirements of a specified skilled occupation. They usually need to demonstrate at least three years of relevant work experience and have a positive skills assessment for the Direct Entry stream, alongside proving Competent English language proficiency. For the Temporary Residence Transition stream, the experience requirement is often met by having worked for the employer on a qualifying temporary visa.
The sponsoring employer must demonstrate a genuine, ongoing need for the skilled position, which must be full-time and continue for at least two years. The employer must pay the employee at least the Annual Market Salary Rate and is required to pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy. While formal Labour Market Testing is not strictly required for this permanent visa, employers must still demonstrate the position is genuinely required and advertising may be considered as part of this process. Successful applicants gain permanent residency, allowing them to work, study, and travel indefinitely, enrol in Medicare, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
EMPLOYER SPONSORED REGIONAL VISA (subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) is a five-year temporary visa designed to bring skilled workers to designated regional areas of Australia to fill labour shortages. Crucially, this visa offers a direct and clear pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa after the holder has lived and worked in a regional area for at least three years, provided they meet minimum income requirements during that period.
Applicants must generally be under 45 and have their occupation on a relevant skilled list. Key requirements include holding a valid Skills Assessment and having at least three years of relevant post-qualification work experience, along with meeting competent English standards, though exemptions may apply in limited circumstances.
The sponsoring employer, who must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor operating in a regional area, has substantial obligations. They must successfully conduct Labour Market Testing to prove no suitable local worker can fill the role. They must also pay the employee at least the Annual Market Salary Rate, a rate that must be certified by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) to ensure it aligns with local market conditions. The employer must also pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Once granted, the visa holder can live, work, and study in the designated regional area, and travel to and from Australia freely, but they must only work in their nominated role for the sponsoring employer.
Thinking about applying for this visa? Start your eligibility check today.
By Mondo Migration | Registered Australian Migration Agent (MARN 2619196)