482 vs 494 Visa: Is There a Better Visa?

If you're considering making the move to Australia for work, you've likely come across two popular visa options: the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) subclass 494 visa. Both offer pathways to work (for a specific employer sponsor) and potentially settle in Australia, but they have some key differences that could make one more suitable for your situation than the other. Let's break it down and help you figure out which visa might be the best fit for you.

2 Employer-Sponsored Visa Types

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's get a quick overview of each visa:

• 482 Visa: This is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia for a sponsoring employer for up to 2-4 years, depending on the stream. There is likely a pathway to permanent residency (via the 186 Visa pathway) after you have held this visa for 2 years.
• 494 Visa: This is a provisional visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia for up to 5 years. There is likely a pathway to permanent residency (via the 191 Visa pathway) after you have held this visa for 3 years.

You can learn more about each visa in our detailed visas pages for the 482 visa and 494 visa respectively.

Comparison Between 482 and 494

We have put together a table as an overview of the general points of comparison between the two visas.

The Verdict

Choosing between the 482 and 494 visas ultimately depends on your individual circumstances, career goals, and lifestyle preferences. As a guide, we would recommend you consider the following before making a decision.

Consider the 482 visa if:

• You want to work in a major city
• You're early in your career
• You need a faster processing time
• You're okay with ongoing employer sponsorship for permanent residency

Consider the 494 visa if:

• You're open to living and working in regional Australia
• You have more extensive work experience
• You're between 43 and 45 years old
• You want more independence in your permanent residency application\

At Kin Migration, we share resources to help guide your Australian immigration journey. While our posts aim to keep you updated, they're general in nature and cannot replace personalised immigration advice. Laws and requirements change frequently, and information published is accurate at the time of publication. For personalised advice, please consult an OMARA-registered migration agent before proceeding with any application. To seek legal advice or information that is specific to your situation, please book a strategy session now.