The Australia 489 Skilled Migration, also known as the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa, allows overseas skilled professionals and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to four years. Applicants for the Australia 489 Skilled Migration visa can receive 10 points if they are nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative (the minimum points required for an invitation in Australia’s skilled migration is 60 points). Holders of the Australia 489 visa may apply for a permanent residency visa if they meet certain conditions.
1. Application Requirements for the Australia 489 Skilled Migration Visa
1. Invitation Pathways
(1) Obtain a nomination from an Australian state or territory government agency, or reside in a designated area and be sponsored by an eligible relative;
(2) The nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled migration occupation list, where state-sponsored applicants apply under the CSOL list, and relative-sponsored applicants apply under the SOL list;
(3) Pass the skills assessment for the nominated occupation;
(4) Be under 50 years of age;
(5) Meet the points requirement for skilled migration (minimum 60 points);
(6) Meet certain English language requirements, achieving a score of 6 in all four components of the IELTS;
(7) Meet health and character requirements.
2. Extension Pathway: Applicants must hold a 496/495/487 or 475 visa for at least two years.
2. Advantages of the Australia 489 Skilled Migration Visa
1. The applicant's spouse and eligible children can be granted visas simultaneously;
2. Can reside in Australia for up to 4 years;
3. Can live, work, and study in designated areas of Australia;
4. Can freely enter and exit Australia during the visa validity period;
5. Eligible to apply for the Australia permanent residency visa subclass 887.
3. Application Process for the Australia 489 Skilled Migration Visa
1. Assess immigration qualifications;
2. Prepare application materials;
3. Pass the skills assessment;
4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI);
5. Receive an immigration invitation;
6. Submit the visa application online;
7. Pay the visa application fee and upload application materials;
8. Undergo immigration health examination;
9. Visa approval.
4. Application Fees for the Australia 489 Skilled Migration Visa
1. Visa application fee:
(1) Invitation pathway: Main applicant AUD 3600; Secondary applicants aged 18 and over AUD 1800; Secondary applicants under 18 AUD 900;
(2) Extension pathway: Main applicant AUD 320; Secondary applicants aged 18 and over AUD 160; Secondary applicants under 18 AUD 80.
2. Language learning fee: Applicants aged 18 and over at the time of application, and who do not achieve an average score of 4.5 in IELTS, must pay AUD 4890 if they have not previously paid a language learning fee.
3. Other fees:
Proof of assets may be required, such as employment contracts, bank statements, or financial institution certificates; allowances, housing, and other assistance provided by employers can also serve as supporting documents.
5. Conditions for Sponsors of Australia 489 Skilled Migration Visa Applicants
1. The sponsor must be at least 18 years old;
2. The sponsor must reside in a designated area of Australia;
3. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen;
4. The relative or relative's spouse that the sponsor wishes to support must be their: child or stepchild, parent or stepparent, sibling (including adopted and foster siblings), niece or nephew (including adopted and foster), uncle or aunt (including adopted and foster), grandparent or first cousins;
5. The sponsor must commit to supporting the applicant and assisting the applicant in settling in Australia.
6. Definition of Australia's Regional and Low-Growth Areas
1. Applicants for the Australia 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa, if sponsored by a state or territory government agency, must live, work, and study in the following areas for at least two years:
(1) New South Wales (NSW), excluding Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, and Wollongong;
(2) Northern Territory;
(3) Queensland, excluding Brisbane and the Gold Coast;
(4) South Australia;
(5) Tasmania;
(6) Victoria, excluding Melbourne;
(7) Western Australia, excluding Perth.
2. If sponsored by an eligible relative, the applicant must live, work, and study in the following designated areas:
(1) Australian Capital Territory (ACT);
(2) New South Wales (NSW), excluding Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong;
(3) Northern Territory;
(4) Queensland, excluding Brisbane;
(5) South Australia;
(6) Tasmania;
(7) Victoria;
(8) Western Australia.
7. Frequently Asked Questions about the Australia 489 Skilled Migration Visa
1. Visa validity: Up to four years;
2. Is it necessary to submit an Expression of Interest: An Expression of Interest (EOI) must be submitted, except for temporary visa renewals;
3. Is sponsorship required: Yes, applicants must be sponsored by an eligible relative or receive a nomination from a state or territory government;
4. Is it necessary to work in regional areas of Australia: Yes;
5. Is scoring required: Yes, minimum 60 points;
6. Skills and qualifications requirements: The nominated occupation of applicants sponsored by relatives must be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and must pass the skills assessment; the nominated occupation of applicants sponsored by states or territories must be on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) (and must meet additional requirements of the sponsoring state) and must pass the skills assessment;
7. English language requirements: IELTS score of 6 in all four components;
8. Age requirements: Must be under 50 years of age;
9. Visa application requirements: Must apply after receiving an immigration invitation;
10. Health requirements: Must meet the health examination requirements of the immigration department;
11. Character requirements: No criminal record.
In the 2016-17 fiscal year, from July 1, 2016, to the end of December 2016, the number of Australia 489 Skilled Migration visas nominated by Australian state and territory governments reached 1288. Among them, South Australia had the highest number of nominations at 457; followed by New South Wales with 333 and Tasmania with 211. During the same period, the number of 489 Skilled Migration visas sponsored by eligible Australian relatives was 1001.
