Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme

Due to the 1st July 2012 DIAC changes of the Permanent Employer-Sponsored Visa Program our RCB will be assessing and providing DIAC with advice on Direct Entry Stream employer nominations only.

Direct Entry Stream is for applicants who are untested in the Australian labour market and have not held a subclass 457 visa for at least the last 2 years or who are applying directly from outside of Australia.

For further information refer to Employer Sponsored Migration Booklet and DIAC website.

The RSMS – Direct Entry Stream nominations assessment process follows six stages:

Employer seeks assessment of the nomination by a RCB (geographical locations) by submitting Form 1404 –“Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme: RCB advice” and supporting documents to RCB
RCB assesses the nomination and provides advice to DIAC as whether certain specific requirements for the nomination have been met.
RCB provides employer with the certified Form 1404
Employer lodges the nomination application & supporting documentation with DIAC (The nominator has the option of lodging a request for assessment before or after lodging the nomination application with DIAC.)
DIAC advises the employer if the nomination is approved.
Nominee lodges their visa application with DIAC. If the nomination has already been approved by the time the visa application is made, the application must be made, at the latest, within 6 months of the nomination being approved.

Stage 1 – Assessment of the nomination by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB)

Under the RSMS Direct Entry Stream, the employer must seek assessment of the nomination by RCB. These are state/territory bodies based in regional Australia which, through their local knowledge, assess and provide advice to DIAC that:

there is a genuine need for the nominator to employ a paid employee to work in the position under the nominator’s direct control;
the terms and conditions of employment applicable to the position will be no less favourable than the terms and conditions that are provided to, or would be provided to, an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident for performing work in the person’s workplace at the same location.
the position cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident who is living in the same local area where the nominated position exists;

RCBs assess the position nominated by the employer, rather than the person who the employer wishes to recruit (the nominee).

What supporting documents are you required to submit to the relevant RCB office?

Refer to DIAC checklist - additional information is required depending on the business activity:

Scenario A: If the position is in the regular ongoing business activity of the employer:

Detailed organizational chart
Business Plan
Outline of the goods or services produced by the business and how the position contributes to maintaining or enhancing the volume and/or quality of these outputs
Evidence that the position is currently occupied by temporary resident
New contracts won ( if any)
Overtime work or increase of overtime work for employees currently in the nominated position (if any)
Copy of employment contract or other evidence that the nominated position salary is as per “market salary rate” (i.e. enterprise agreements, industrial instruments as evidence that comparisons are made on equal terms in relation to hours worked ; relevant market information – remuneration surveys, job vacancy advertisements)

Scenario B: If the position is to be involved in the diversification of the activities of the business

Market research supporting the need for business expansion
Business plans detailing proposed expansion and timelines
Financial budgets covering expenditure and anticipated revenue
Evidence of availability of funds (i.e. bank loans or own funds)
Evidence of premises
Evidence of lease or purchase of equipment (if applicable)
Copy of employment contract or other evidence that the nominated position salary is as per “market salary rate” (i.e. enterprise agreements, industrial instruments as evidence that comparisons are made on equal terms in relation to hours worked , relevant market information – remuneration surveys, job vacancy advertisements)

Scenario C: If the position is a vacancy in a start-up business

Evidence that the business has been actively operating at least 6 months before logging the nomination
Evidence that the nominated position is relevant to the proposed business activity of the nominator
Copy of employment contract or other evidence that the nominated position salary is as per “market salary rate” (i.e. enterprise agreements, industrial instruments as evidence that comparisons are made on equal terms in relation to hours worked; relevant market information – remuneration surveys, job vacancy advertisements)

Please note as each case is assessed individually the evidence required will depend on the circumstances of the case. To discuss your individual case contact the relevant RCB Officer in the region where the nominated position is located.

Timeframe for assessment

The RSMS application processing time will be within 10 business days of receipt of the request

Fees and charges

CCIQ Non-Members: $550
CCIQ Members: $450

CCIQ is gazetted as a Regional Certifying Body in the locations of Cairns, Gold Coast, Mackay (including Emerald), Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay & Burnett (including Bundaberg), Toowoomba, Townsville & Mount Isa. To access the contact details of the individual office please click on the relevant link below:

To check which RCB covers the post code for your nomination click here.

Further Assistance

For further assistance contact the relevant RCB office or e-mail rcb@cciq.com.au.

RCB	Primary Contact	Tel	Email
Gold Coast	Diana Gueorguieva - Regional Migration Services	07 3842 2294	rcb@cciq.com.au
Rockhampton	Janice Seymour - Regional Migration Services	07 4922 1278	rcb@cciq.com.au
Mackay	Brooke Andrews - Regional Migration Services	07 4955 8700	rcb@cciq.com.au
Cairns	Annette Azzopardi - Regional Migration Services	07 4050 0700	rcb@cciq.com.au
Sunshine Coast	Eric Bubeck - Regional Migration Services	07 4639 3277	rcb@cciq.com.au
Toowoomba	Eric Bubeck - Regional Migration Services	07 4639 3277	rcb@cciq.com.au
Townsville & Mt Isa	Brooke Andrews - Regional Migration Services	07 4955 8700	rcb@cciq.com.au
Head Office	Diana Gueorguieva - Regional Migration Services	07 3842 2294	rcb@cciq.com.au

Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland hosts an Outreach Officer from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Belinda Castle, who can provide information and general assistance in regard to Australian visa matters.

Belinda can be contacted directly at belinda.castle@immi.gov.au or on 0467 709 206.