Migrating to the Far West

Migrating to the Far West

Regional Development Australia Far West is a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) for the far west region of New South Wales. We provide skilled migration services as part of an overarching regional workforce planning and development strategy.

As an RCB we assess the suitability of applicants to fill gaps in our existing labour market and recommend these applicants to the Department of Home Affairs.

This means we play a role in assessing eligibility for the following visa:

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) (SESR Visa) enables Australian employers in areas specified by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs in a Legislation Instrument to sponsor (nominate) skilled overseas workers. This is to assist employers in regional and low population growth areas of Australia where they have been unable to fill vacant positions with Australian citizens or permanent residents living in or wishing to move to the regional area where the nominated position is located.

Visa sub-class 494

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) – Employer Sponsored stream (SESR) is a visa program that allows employers in regional and low population growth areas of Australia to sponsor workers from overseas in order to fill skilled vacancies that cannot otherwise be filled. This is an important option for employers who cannot find the skilled workers they need locally (we require evidence that a genuine attempt to do so be supplied, along with other supporting documents about the nominating employer and their genuine need for the suitable skilled position).

The Subclass (494) visa binds a suitable applicant to a specific regional business for a minimum of 3 years, after the granting of the visa, however, the applicant may begin working for the business as soon as they have working rights within Australia.

This visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers. It involves a two-step process, firstly, nomination by an approved Australian employer an​​​d then an application under the nominated stream. RDA FW certifies 494 applications under the Employer Sponsored Stream.

What we don’t do

  • Regional Development Australia Far West is not a migration agent.
  • We cannot provide advice on general migration matters or information on other visas outside the scope of RSMS visas.
  • We do not grant final approval of visas, but do manage essential aspects of the application process.
  • If you have general migration questions, or questions about other visas, please contact the Department of Home Affairs.
  • We are not an employment service. It is up to the individual applicant to search for and secure employment.

How to obtain regional certification

Please use the checklists supplied in the PDF to compile your documentation to send to us for assessment.  If you require clarification on any of the documentation please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website which details the process for both migrants and employers.

  • Proof of payment. The current assessment fee is $770 (including GST).  We will not begin processing your application until all fees and charges have been paid.
  • Completed form 1404
  • Completed form 956 (if using a migration agent)

RDA FW 494 Requirements

It is recommended that employers read as much information about this visa program as possible to understand what is involved and what their obligations entail.

The Immigration Department’s website is a good resource. This is also where the application to the Department can be made:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-employer-sponsored-regional-494

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)

RDA Far West (RDA FW) is required to provide an assessment for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa subclass 494 as a Regional Certifying Body (RCB).

The Department of Home Affairs commenced the new Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) (SESR) on 16 November 2019 which replaced the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187). 

Please go to the Department of Home Affairs website link for more details:

RDA FW 494 Requirements

RDA Far West provides certification to employers through its Skilled Migration Officer and an administration fee ($770 incl GST) applies for processing applications. Note processing of applications can take up to a minimum of 14 working days, so employers need to consider this when submitting their applications to;

Regional Development Australia Far West Inc
55 Oxide Street PO Box 1010
BROKEN HILL NSW 2880
Phone 08 8087 8383
Email admin@rdafarwestnsw.org.au
Web www.rdafarwestnsw.org.au

Skillselect – A convenient way for employers to search and connect with highly skilled migrants wanting to live and work in Australia. Visit www.skillselect.gov.au for details. Use SkillSelect to make an expression of interest (EOI) if you are a skilled worker or business person from overseas who wants to migrate to Australia. All EOIs must be completed online using SkillSelect.  An EOI is not a visa application and there is no fee to create or submit an EOI in SkillSelect.