Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489)

 Australia is a beautiful country that attracts people from all over the world. Many individuals aspire to live, work and study in Australia, and the Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489) is an option for those who wish to pursue a career in a regional area of the country. This visa category is designed for skilled professionals who can meet the eligibility requirements and are willing to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for up to four years. The visa is a pathway to permanent residency and offers many benefits to the successful applicant.

What is the Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489)?

The Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489) is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in a regional or low population growth area of Australia for up to four years. This visa is designed to encourage migrants to settle in regional areas and help meet the skills shortages in these areas.

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must be sponsored by a relative living in a designated regional area, or be nominated by a state or territory government. They must also meet the points test requirement and have a skilled occupation that is on the relevant occupation list.

While the subclass 489 visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 887 visa, it does have some limitations. For instance, visa holders must live and work in a designated regional area and their visa may be cancelled if they move to a non-regional area. Additionally, they may not be eligible for certain government benefits, such as family tax benefits, until they become permanent residents.

What are the benefits of 489 visa in Australia?

The Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489) provides several benefits for skilled workers in Australia. Some of the key benefits include:

• Work and live in a designated regional area: With a 489 visa, you can work and live in a designated regional area of Australia for up to four years.
• Pathway to permanent residency: The 489 visa can serve as a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. If you meet certain criteria while on the 489 visa, you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa.
• Bring family members: You can include eligible family members in your visa application, such as your spouse or dependent children.
• Access to Medicare: As a 489 visa holder, you and your family members will have access to Australia's national healthcare system, Medicare.
• Study and work: You can work and study in Australia while on a 489 visa.

How do I apply for a 489 visa?

To apply for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 489), you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. SkillSelect is an online service that helps skilled workers who want to migrate to Australia submit their details so that they can be considered for a skilled visa.

Once you have submitted an EOI and have been invited to apply for the visa, you must complete and submit a formal visa application to the Department of Home Affairs. The application must include all the necessary documents and information, such as your qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and health and character certificates.

You must also provide evidence that you have been nominated by a state or territory government agency or have been sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area of Australia.

After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgment letter from the Department of Home Affairs. The processing time for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 489) varies depending on several factors, including the complexity of your application, the completeness of your documentation, and the demand for your occupation.

It is important to note that the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 489) has been replaced by the Subclass 491 visa, and no new applications can be made for the Subclass 489 visa. However, if you already hold a Subclass 489 visa, you may still be eligible for a Subclass 887 visa, which is a permanent residency visa for skilled regional workers.

The Extended Stay Pathway

The Extended Stay Pathway is a way for individuals who hold certain provisional visas in subclass 475, 487, 495, or 496 and have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia for at least two years to apply for a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489). This pathway provides an opportunity for individuals to continue living and working in regional areas of Australia and eventually apply for permanent residency.

To be eligible for the Extended Stay Pathway, applicants must meet certain requirements including having lived in a designated regional area for at least two years, having worked full-time for at least one year in a designated regional area, and having a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

If you meet the eligibility requirements for the Extended Stay Pathway, you can apply for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) through the Department of Home Affairs website.

Final thought

The Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) has been an important visa option for skilled workers looking to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. However, with the introduction of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), the subclass 489 visa will no longer be available. The subclass 491 visa offers similar benefits to the subclass 489 visa, but with some additional features and requirements. Despite the changes, the Australian Government remains committed to attracting skilled workers to regional areas and supporting the development of these communities. If you are interested in living and working in regional Australia, the subclass 491 visa may be a good option to consider.

Read more about the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) visa here!