Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme

(Subclass 119/857)

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) is specifically designed to assist employers in regional or low population growth areas of Australia who are unable to fill skilled vacancies through the local labour market.  The Scheme provides an avenue for employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas or skilled temporary residents currently in Australia.

Townsville Enterprise Limited is an official Regional Certifying Body (RCB) under the RSMS for the northern region of Queensland which includes the shires and regional councils of Townsville, Charters Towers, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and Palm Island.

Positions must be skilled, full-time vacancies, and the employer and their overseas nominee must be willing to enter into a two year employment contract.  The nominee must be a foreign national who meets the age, skills and language requirements, and must be the current holder of a qualifying visa. 

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) relies on the RCB’s knowledge of local labour market trends and economic conditions to help with the assessment of RSMS nominations, and does not determine whether the nominee is suitable for the nominated position.

The RSMS Process

Certification

The employer (either independently or via a Migration Agent) applies to a RCB for RSMS certification, as the position must be certified prior to the nomination being lodged with DIAC.  This involves completing Form 1054, and providing sufficient information to satisfy the assessment requirements, as per the DIAC checklist.

All RSMS applications sent to Townsville Enterprise MUST follow the DIAC checklist. Please ensure that the documents you submit with your Form 1054 cover your particular circumstances.

 

What does Certification cost?

A non-refundable processing fee is required prior to commencing the certification process and can be made by cheque or by credit card authorisation when submitting documentation.

The schedule of fees effective as of 17 October 2011, are as follows:

  • $400 for Townsville Enterprise members (including GST), or
  • $500 for non-Townsville Enterprise members (including GST)

    If you would like information on the benefits of becoming a member of Townsville Enterprise Limited, please contact Rebecca@tel.com.au.

    Once all required information is submitted together with payment, Townsville Enterprise Limited assesses the application.  If more information is required in order to make an adequate assessment, we will contact the nominated officer for enquiries as indicated on your Form 1054.  The certification process will usually take 1-3 days, unless additional information needs to be sourced.

    As a certifying body, Townsville Enterprise assesses the following RSMS requirements:

    • Does the nomination provide employment in a regional or low population growth area of Australia? Eligible postcodes
    • Is the employer lawfully and actively operating the business?
    • Is there a genuine need for the nominated person within the business? Has the market been tested (i.e. has the position been advertised)?
    • Would the business be able to ensure the position provides full-time employment for at least two years once the visa has been granted?
    • Does the nominated position involve work which requires a person with at least a diploma qualification? You will need to nominate an appropriate Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations code (ANZSCO) at question 14 of your Form 1054.

      Nomination Assessed by DIAC

      Townsville Enterprise will either certify or reject the application.  The application and a letter of approval, or a letter detailing the reasons why the application was rejected will then be returned to the nominated officer.

      The application, along with any other required documentation, is then forwarded to DIAC by the nominated officer for their consideration and assessment.

      Please note that certification of an application by Townsville Enterprise does not guarantee that it will be approved by DIAC.

       

      Visa Application by Nominee (Employee)

      Once certified, the RSMS nomination must be approved by DIAC before the visa can be granted.  The nomination application should be lodged with DIAC before or at the same time as the visa application.  If the nomination application is lodged first, the employee must apply for the visa within six months of the nomination approval date.

       

      For more information on the RSMS

      The Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s General Enquiries Helpline is 13 18 81 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm)

      Department of Immigration information http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/rsms/

      For more information regarding the certification process, please contact our team on (07) 4726 2728 or email: invest@tel.com.au

       

      Updated 14 December 2011