A brief summary of the differences between the Subclass 482 visa and Subclass 494 visa – Work Visas

The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa (‘482
visa’) and the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
(Provisional) visa (‘494 visa’) are both employer sponsored
visas. The 494 visa is intended for visa applicants who wish to
live, work and study in a designated regional area in Australia
(excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) whereas the 482 visa is
not restricted to a particular location within Australia.

Occupation eligibility

An applicant is eligible for the 482 visa if their occupation
falls on the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL), Medium to
Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or 482 Regional
Occupations List (ROL).

Occupations that are on the 482 STSOL do not offer a pathway to
permanent residency.

An applicant may be eligible for the 494 visa if their
occupation falls on the Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List
(MLTSSL) or the 494 ROL. The 494 ROL encompasses a broader range of
occupations and also includes occupations that are on the 482
STSOL.

Pathway to permanent residency

For the 482 visa, there are pathways to permanent residency
through the Subclass 186 visa after either (a) completing 3
years’ full time employment with the sponsor or (b) obtaining a
positive skills assessment and providing evidence of 3 years’
work experience. Both ways require the employer’s support.

For the 494 visa, after 3 years’ full time employment the
visa holder can apply for access to permanent residency through the
Subclass 191 without employer support.

There are restrictions for 494 visa holders in applying for
other permanent visas (such as the Subclass 820, 124, 132, 186,
188, 189, 190 and 858 visas) unless they have held the 494 visa for
at least 3 years. However there are no restrictions for 482 visa
holders to access other permanent visas.

Differences in visa length

The 482 visa can be granted for a period of up to 4 years while
the 494 visa is a provisional visa that is granted for up to 5
years.

Costs involved for employers

The 482 nomination attracts a fee of $330 while there is no
nomination fee for the 494 visa.

The Skilling Australian Fund (SAF) levy payable by an employer
varies depending on the turnover of the business in the most
recently completed financial year and the proposed period of
employment.

The process

Both visas operate in a similar way and both use the same
‘Standard Business Sponsorship’ to access the visa program.
The two visas have distinct but similar Nomination and Visa
requirements.

Differences in process

As the 494 visa provides a more streamlined pathway to permanent
residency, the requirements to obtain the visa are higher.

* A limited number of occupations require a Skills
Assessment.

**Exemptions are available for academic applicants, subclass
444/461 visa holders or those who have had a previous skills
assessment for a 457 or 482 visa for the same occupation.`

Visa conditions

The 482 visa has less stringent conditions than the 494 visa
which has additional conditions which the primary visa holder must
abide with.

The pros and cons of each visa

The 482 visa offers an easier pathway to permanent residency.
However, depending on your personal circumstances, the 494 might be
the more appropriate choice.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.

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