SUMMARY
This visa allows employers to sponsor skilled workers to work within Regional Australia.
Applicants are generally required to be under 45 and meet the english and skill requirements for their nominated occupation.
On grant of the visa you are provided with permanent residency and are required to have the 'genuine intention' to remain with your employer for 2 years.
There are 3 streams in which employers can sponsor skilled workers.
They are Direct Entry stream (closed 16/11/2019), Temporary Transition stream and Agreements stream.
VISA STATUS
Permanent residency. Permits the holder to travel to and enter Australia for 5 years from the date of grant. |
GOV PROCESSING TIMES
31-39 months (DE) 16-33 months (TTS) It should be noted that individual actual processing times may vary depending on a range of factors. |
VISA COSTS
Main Applicant $4770 Additional Applicant (over 18) $2385 Additional applicant (under 18) $1190 Other fees may include: - Migration Agent Fees - Regional Certifying Body Fees - Skills Assessment Fees - Medicals - Police Certificates - English Language Testing |
LOCATION
This Visa is available in all of Australia except in the following metropolitan areas: Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and Melbourne. Applicants can be either onshore or offshore at time of lodgement and at time of decision. |
VISA REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
DIRECT ENTRY STREAM
The Direct Entry stream is for workers who are untested in the Australian labour market and are applying for an RSMS visa from outside Australia or are applying from inside Australia but are not eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition stream. Many students, working holiday makers and those on 457’s but for less that 2 years decide to apply through the Direct Entry stream.
EMPLOYEE
- You are under 45 years old or exempt
- You have Competent English (e.g. IELTS score of 6 and over in each band or eligible passport)
- You have been employed in the occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the level of skill required for the occupation
- You meet the skills requirements for the nominated occupation. Depending on the Skill level of the occupation skills assessments may be required. For example, applicants with trade qualifications from overseas would require a skills assessment. Typically, those with ANZSCO Skill levels 1 and 2 and those with Australian qualifications would not require skills assessments. However, evidence of work experience in the occupation may be required. For example, a cook holding Certificate III in cookery from Australia may need to prove 2 years of full time employment.
- If mandatory for the occupation hold the relevant licensing, registration or professional membership. e.g. Nurses, Teachers, Electricians.
EMPLOYER
- Actively and lawfully operating a business in Regional Australia
- The position should be full time, ongoing, available for at least two years
- Nominate an occupation on the RSMS occupation list (ie MTSSL or Regional List)
- Meet the requirements of the Regional Certifying Body e.g genuine need for the position, market rate for salary.
- Not able to fill the position from the local market available to them.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
With the introduction of the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494), that commenced on 16 November 2019, the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) direct entry (DE) stream closed to new applications from 16 November 2019.
More Information
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE TRANSITION STREAM
The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for applicants holding a 457 visa who have worked for their employer for at least the last 2 years and the employer wants to offer them a permanent position in that same occupation.
EMPLOYEE
- Under 45 years old or exempt
- Competent English (e.g IELTS score of 6 and over in each band)
- You may be eligible under this stream if you are the holder of a TSS visa (482) or a (457) visa or a related associated Bridging visa and you have worked for your employer for at least:
- three out of the previous four years (before the nomination is made) in the same position that they have nominated you for or
- two out of the previous three years before the nomination is made, if transitional arrangements apply because you either held, or were an applicant for, a subclass 457 visa (which was subsequently granted) on 18 April 2017. - If mandatory for the occupation, you must hold the relevant licensing, registration or professional membership
- Applicants generally do not need to have their skills assessed. A skills assessment may, however, still be requested where this is considered to be necessary.
EMPLOYER
- Actively and lawfully operating a business in Regional Australia
- Position should be full time, ongoing, available for at least two years and be consistent with the position in which the applicant has already worked
- Have met or make a commitment to meet the training benchmarks as specified for 457/TSS sponsoring businesses.
Agreements Stream
The Agreement stream is for applicants who are being sponsored by an employer through a tailored and negotiated labour agreement or regional migration agreement. The agreement should be negotiated with the relevant government body before proceeding. Semi-skilled workers may be eligible for this stream. For more details regarding the Agreements Stream please refer to the Department of Immigration website.