Regional Certifying Body

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Direct Entry (DE) is now closed to new applications. 

The Wimmera Development Association RCB will continue to assess RSMS applications for both the Wimmera Development Association RCB regions that were lodged with the Department of Home Affairs before the closing date. Use the WDA RCB Support Information Checklist (200kb PDF) to check that you have the evidence to support your RSMS Applications see evidence to support your application.

The Wimmera Development Association RCB is now assessing applications for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494).

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) 494 visa

The Wimmera Development Association RCB is now assessing applications for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494).

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) allows Australian employers in regional and low population growth areas of Australia to nominate skilled workers from overseas in order to fill skilled vacancies in their business. This visa gives the skilled migrant permanent residency in Australia.

The Wimmera Development Association has been gazetted by the Federal Department of Home Affairs as a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) for the Wimmera Southern Mallee region and covers the Local Government Areas of West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians, Buloke and Ararat. 

Our Role as a Regional Certifying Body

Our role is to provide advice to the Department of Home Affairs on the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa Employer Sponsored stream nomination applications, using local area knowledge to advise on whether the nominee for the position will be paid at least the annual market salary rate for the occupation under the legislative requirements of the scheme.  

Additionally, we provide advice to Department of Home Affairs confirming that 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.

Employer Sponsored stream nominations must be accompanied by advice from an RCB. This advice can be provided before or after lodgement of the Employer Sponsored stream nomination application with the Department of Home Affairs. The Department cannot approve a nomination where advice from an RCB has not been provided.

Employer Sponsored stream nominations will be assessed against a range of criteria, including but not limited to those that RCBs provide advice on. Local knowledge about businesses operating in the specific RCB’s jurisdiction adds value to the assessment process.

Please check the Department of Home Affairs website for further information.

WDA RCB shires

Documentation, Fees and Processing of Applications

The following information is provided to assist employers sponsoring skilled migrants for permanent residency. The information below relates to the process of gaining approval from the Regional Certifying Body.

  1. Department of Home Affairs - Form 1404 (PLEASE NOTE: New Form Dec 2019)
  2. If using a Migration Agent, provide an authority with the Department of Home Affairs - Form 956
  3. Evidence to support your application.Use the WDA RCB Support Information Checklist (200kb PDF)
  4. Lodge your nomination by email to info@wda.org.au
  5. Application Processing fee: $550 includingGST (Non-refundable) RCB Payment options (145kb PDF). Direct debit is preferred. 

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.

Once completed WDA will return the application to the employer/nominee for lodgement with Department of Home Affairs. Certification by Wimmera Development Association does not guarantee that the nomination will be approved by the department.

For further information about lodging an employer nomination to the WDA RCB officer 0437 816 505 or email info@wda.org.au

Skillselect

Skillselect is an online service that ​helps Australia manage its skilled migration program. It helps to ensure that the skilled migration program is based on Australia's economic needs. It supports the government in managing who can apply for skilled migration, when they can apply and in what numbers. As a result, the time taken to process a visa application is significantly reduced.

Skillselect also helps address regional skill shortages. Skillselect allows intending migrants to indicate if they are willing to live and work in regional Australia. This is of particular benefit to employers experiencing regional skill shortages and state and territory governments attempting to settle migrants in regional Australia. 

Please Note:

Regional Certifying Bodies (RCBs) only provide advice to the Department of Home Affairs. RCBs make no final decisions and neither approve nor refuse RSMS employer nominations. Obtaining positive RCB advice does not automatically guarantee that the RSMS employer nomination will also be approved by the Department of Home Affairs. If the RSMS employer nomination is not approved by the Department, contacting the RCB is not the appropriate pathway to seek a review of the Department’s decision. In case of a refusal decision by the Department of Home Affairs, the Department will provide the nominating employer or their agent with advice in relation to any appeal rights they may have.

The Administration/Processing fee is non-refundable regardless of whether certification is granted or not. Department of Home Affairs does not charge a fee to the employer for nominating a position however the visa application does attract a fee.

Further assistance and visa information for employers and visa applicants can be found;