On 16th November 2019, the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme or the 187 (RSMS) Visa was substituted by the newly introduced Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa.
This visa helps regional employers to address identified labor shortages in the particular Australian province, through the way of sponsoring immigrant skilled workers. This is conducted by regional employers in a place where employers cannot source an appropriately skilled worker for the specific occupation.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa makes it easier for South Australian employers to nominate skilled migrants for a provisional visa who are coming from outside Australia. Within the Subclass 494 visa, employers can even choose skilled temporary residents who live and work in South Australia to fill the local labor shortage being experienced in that region for their business.
Good news is that a total of 9,000 places will be allocated through the 494-visa program each year. The subclass 494 visa unlike the 187 RSMS visa does not immediately provide you with permanent residency, but with the 494 Visa, you will be qualified to apply for the 191 skilled regional permanent residency Visa.
This visa is a permanent residence visa. The visa applicant can be in or outside Australia when the application is made. The visa application can only be made post nomination application and if the nomination has been approved, the visa application should be lodged within six months of the nomination being approved. For the visa application to be granted, the applicant must apply for the visa in the stream and occupation in line with the employer nomination.
Employer can nominate a skilled worker for this visa if: