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• New Skilled Migration Points Test
• Australian Immigration Update - 1 July 2010

Australian Regional Employer Sponsored Migration - Work in Australia

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) allows Australian employers in regional and low population growth areas to fill full time skilled permanent vacancies that have been certified by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) with people from overseas or temporary residents currently working in Australia, where the employers cannot find a suitable qualified employee from the local labour market.

“Regional Australia” is defined by postcode in a Gazette Notice and all areas of Australia are currently covered except Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth.

You can apply for this Employer Sponsored visa from inside Australia, or from offshore, but if you are already in Australia you must hold a substantive qualifying visa with working provision.

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) consists of three stages:

1. Regional Certification of the vacant position
2. Nomination Application by your employer is assessed by the Department
3. Nominee's application for a visa

The corresponding visa application must be lodged within 6 months of the nomination application being approved or else this nomination will expire.

You, as the nominee, must:

• be nominated by an Australian employer for an RSMS appointment in the business of the employer
• be nominated for a position valid for a fixed term of at least two years
• have the relevant qualifications equivalent to at least an Australian diploma;
• be able to satisfy any mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements
• be less than 45 years of age
• have functional English language ability
• meet mandatory health and character requirements
• meet any mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements

The RSMS SC119/857 visa can be cancelled where:

• you have not commenced employment with the nominating employer within six months of arriving in Australia (or after visa grant if already in Australia) OR
• you do not satisfy the Department that you made a genuine attempt to commence employment OR
• you ceased working in the nominated position after LESS than two years and do not satisfy the Department that you made a genuine effort to work for the required employment period

Cancellation of this visa will not occur where your nominating employer terminates your contract within the two year period, providing that you have made a genuine effort to complete the two years with the approved employer.

Do you qualify for a Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa?

Contact our migration consultant to take advantage of our professional migration services and competitive fees.