The Subclass 491 and 494 visas are provisional visas for skilled migrants who want to live and work in regional Australia.
Subclass 491 visa allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated areas of Australia for up to 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years.
Whereas the Subclass 494 visa allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in regional Australia for five years in a designated area, with a pathway to gain PR after three years. *Want to apply for a Subclass 491 visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for complete guidance about the Subclass 491 visa.
Factors that differentiate between Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas
Both the Subclass visas offer pathways to permanent residency in Australia, but some factors differentiate them from one another:
|
Factors |
Subclass 494 visa (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) |
Subclass 491 visa (Skilled Work Regional visa) |
|
Visa Type |
Employer-sponsored |
Invitation-based |
|
Nomination |
Must be nominated by the Australian Territory of State or sponsorship by an eligible family living in a designated regional area |
Must be nominated by the Australian Territory of State or sponsorship by an eligible family living in a designated regional area |
|
Eligible Occupation |
Can apply under MLTSSL or ROL |
Can apply under STSOL,MLTSSL, or ROL (if nominated) |
|
Skills Assessment |
Positive skills assessment |
Positive skills assessment |
|
Points Threshold |
No points threshold or EOI is required |
Must meet the 65-point threshold and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) |
|
English Requirement |
Competent English |
Competent English |
|
Health Waiver |
Health waiver available under Public Interest Criteria |
Not Applicable |
|
Activities |
Can live, work, and study in designated areas and work in nominated position |
Can live, work, and study in designated regional areas; notify Immigration of changes |
|
Duration |
Visa lasts for 5 years; can apply for Permanent Residence after 3 years |
Visa lasts for 5 years; can apply for Permanent Residence (Subclass 191) after 3 years |
|
Age Limit |
Applicants must be under 45 |
Applicants must be under 45 when invited |
|
Occupational Range |
More limitations on eligible occupations compared to subclass 491 |
Wider range of eligible occupations, especially if nominated by a government agency |
|
Regional Work Requirements |
Must live, work, and study in designated regional areas |
Must live and work in designated regional areas |
|
Visa Application Charge (VAC) |
Main applicant costs AUD 4,770. Each dependent (18 years and over) costs AUD 2,385, and AUD 1,190 for each dependent under 18 years old. |
Main applicant costs AUD 4,770. No extra charge for individual family member |
*Want to apply for Subclass 494 visa? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.
Step-by-step process to apply for the Australia visa
Below are the step-by-step processes to apply for the Australia visa:
Step 1: Select the Australia visa type
Step 2: Arrange the documentation
Step 3: Apply for a suitable visa
Step 4: Wait for the visa approval
Step 5: Migrate to Australia
*Want assistance with Australia Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy for end-to-end support.