Labor Agreement Stream | Eligibility and Application Process Explored

Currently, the Australian Government is focusing on skilled migration to improve prevailing skills and workforce shortages in certain industries of the country. According to the Skills Priority List 2023, 36% of the occupations (332 out of 916) have a nationwide shortage, which is almost 5% higher than the previous year. This increase in skills shortage from 2022 to 2023 is a result of the cumulative effects of difficulties in hiring due to stringent measures imposed by the labor market.

Therefore, to improve Australia’s broken immigration system, the Department of Home Affairs launched the labor agreement stream under a skilled employer-sponsored regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494). 

“The labor agreement stream is a flexible and tailored visa option for employers who need to address labor shortages that the standard skilled visa programs cannot meet.”

 – Alex Hawke, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

The labor agreement stream offers flexibility and much relaxation on the eligibility requirements and provides a direct route to permanent residence after spending three years in the country. So, if you plan to migrate to Australia as a skilled worker, it might be a good option for you. 

This blog post explains what a labor agreement stream visa is, how to apply for it, and the tips and advice you need to know before applying. Before moving toward the details, it is important for you to first understand what a labor agreement stream (subclass 494) is.

What is a Labor Agreement Stream (Subclass 494)?

A skilled employer-sponsored regional visa subclass 494 is designed to meet the workforce shortages in Australia. This visa is divided into three categories: employer-sponsored stream, labor agreement stream, and subsequent entrant stream. So, the labor agreement stream is designed for skilled workers to live in designated regional Australia for five years. 

A labor agreement is an agreement that is developed between the regional employer and the Department of Home Affairs to set the terms and conditions for your visa. This visa stream covers those skills that are not met through standard visa options. Labor agreements are of various types, such as: 

• Industry agreements to meet the skills shortage in specific areas.
• Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) to enhance the economy of regional areas.
• Project agreements to overcome the workforce shortages in the construction industry.
• Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements to sponsor highly skilled workers on vacancies that cannot be filled by standard visa options.

Eligibility Criteria for a Labor Agreement Stream

It is important to know who can apply for a labor agreement stream. Below, I’ve discussed the requirements you need to meet before applying for a skilled employer-sponsored regional visa (subclass 494).

• Age: You must be forty-five or under forty-five years of age to apply for a labor agreement stream.
• Skills and Qualifications: You must possess academic qualifications and skills that match your nominated occupation. Moreover, you must have two years of work experience in the relevant field in the designated labor agreement.
• Skills Assessment: You must get a positive skills assessment from an authorized organization. 
• Language Proficiency: You must be fluent in English language to be eligible for a labor agreement stream.
• Health and Character: Ensure that you are in good physical health and pass the character test. 
• Employer Nomination: It is compulsory that you must be nominated or sponsored by a regional employer for this visa stream. Your employer must have a labor agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

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Steps to Apply for a Labor Agreement Stream Visa

To apply for a labor agreement stream visa, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Labor Agreement Request

The first step is to find an eligible regional employer in Australia and ask him to lodge a labor agreement application with the Department of Home Affairs. Keep in mind that your employer must have a labor agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. A labor agreement remains valid for five years. During this time period, the employers can sponsor international skilled workers to apply for a skilled employer-sponsored regional visa (subclass 494).

Step 2: Nomination Application

After lodging the application with the Department, ask your sponsor to submit a nomination application and pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy fee. The SAF levy is a financial commitment that aids in the education and training of Australian workers. The duration of the nomination and the employer’s annual turnover determines the SAF levy amount.

Step 3: Submit Visa Application

After getting the approval of your nomination application by the Department of Home Affairs, submit your application for a visa. Download the application form from the official website of ImmiAccount. Gather all the necessary documents, including identification, skills, qualifications, relevant work experience, health, and character documents. Attach these documents to your application form and pay the visa application fee (AUD$ 4,045). 

Step 4: Processing of Visa Application

Once you have submitted the application, wait for the decision. The processing time for each case of the labor agreement stream (subclass 494) varies based on various factors.

Things to Consider Before Applying for the Labor Agreement Stream 

The application process of the labor agreement stream is complex and difficult to understand. However, there are some tips and advice that you must follow to avoid trouble and confusion. Here are some of them.

• Prepare your documents well before applying for the visa.
• Make sure your documents are accurate and meet the required criteria. 
• Gather all the documents, including identification, skills, qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency certificates.
• Additional documents may be required, including labor agreement request approval, nomination application, and job contract.
• Read the terms and conditions of your visa and apply carefully. Ensure that you meet the regulations.
• Remember that you must live in the designated regional area mentioned in the labor agreement.
• Stay in contact with your sponsor and the Department of Home Affairs.
• Notify the Department if you make any changes to your application.

Seeking professional help is the best way to save yourself from trouble.

The application process of the labor agreement stream can be challenging and complex, mainly if you are unfamiliar with Australian immigration laws. Consult with a registered migration lawyer for better guidance and assistance.

How Can The Migration Help You?

The Migration is a registered organization with a team of experts and MARA-certified agents in Australia. We help you to achieve success in your visa application approval by providing the following services;

• We provide authentic and genuine consultation services according to the eligibility criteria, visa terms, and conditions.
• We understand the uniqueness of each case and offer customized solutions.
• We assess the applicants’ skills, qualifications, and work experience and help them find a visa option that suits them well.
• Many applicants struggle with getting a positive skills assessment. Therefore, we are here to assist you best in this regard. 
• Get help finding the eligible regional employer, labor agreement request, and nomination application approval.

Schedule a meeting now to avail all these services at affordable rates, starting from getting a genuine consultation to filling out the application form correctly. 

Related Articles

What is an Employer-Sponsored Stream (Subclass 494) in Australia?

494 Visa in Australia | Eligibility and Application Process Explored

FAQs

What is the cost of the labor agreement stream (subclass 494)?

The visa cost for a labor agreement stream is AUD$ 4,640. However, if you bring your dependents (children or spouse), you must pay the additional charges.

What are the requirements for subclass 494?

Employer sponsorship from a regional employer is necessary. Your age must be below 45 years, and you need to provide evidence of your relevant skills, qualifications, work experience, English requirement, health, and character requirements. A satisfactory skills assessment and at least three years of skilled employment are necessary requirements for obtaining a subclass 494 visa.

How to get PR on a 494 visa in Australia?

In order to get PR on a 494 visa in Australia, you will have to apply for the Permanent Residence visa (subclass 191). To be eligible for this visa, you must have spent three years on subclass 494 and have fulfilled all the visa conditions and requirements.

Contact Us for More Information

So, there you have it- all about a labor agreement stream (subclass 494), its eligibility requirements, the visa application process, and what things you need to consider before applying for it. You must understand things well and apply them carefully because of Australia’s complex immigration system. It is advisable to seek professional advice. You can also contact us at The Migration for assistance with your skills assessment and visa application processing.