Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. The 494 Visa allows a nominee to:
- Live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years.
- Apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time of visa grant.
Under the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs, RDAMNC performs the role of Regional Certifying Body for this visa, which entails providing advice to the Department about local labour market conditions and other relevant regional matters.
RDAMNC is the only Regional Certifying Body for the Mid North Coast of NSW and Norfolk Island and includes the following areas:
- City of Coffs Harbour
- Bellingen Shire
- Nambucca Valley
- Kempsey Shire
- Port Macquarie-Hastings
- Midcoast
- Norfolk Island
- Lord Howe Island
Please follow the links below for detailed skilled migration information assistance.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa sub-class 494
Further Information and Advice for Skilled Regional Visas
Information and Advice
Extensive information about Regional Skilled Migration Visas can be obtained from the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website: www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
If you would like to make an enquiry with the Department of Home Affairs, please visit their website: www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
The general enquiries number is 131881.
It is not the role of RDA Mid North Coast to provide migration advice. We can explain the requirements (for assessment) of the 494 visas only. You should only seek advice from a formally Registered Migration Agent. Choosing an agent based in your local region could be advantageous, due to local knowledge, regional commitment and general logistic efficiencies.
Contact Details for Skilled Migration
Email applications and enquiries:
migration@rdamnc.org.au – please limit each email to 10MB
Postal applications:
ATTN: Migration Officer
Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast
PO Box 83
Macksville NSW 2447
Supporting documentation for 494 visa nominations can be considerable. Sending by email is the preferred option but if you prefer to post, documents should be photocopies (certified where appropriate).