What does regional Australia have to offer?

Many areas in regional Australia are actively looking to attract skilled and business migrants.

If you intend to migrate to Australia and are interested in settling in a regional location,

or are undecided on where to settle, consider what living and working in regional Australia has to offer.

Regional areas often have good employment opportunities for skilled migrants and also offer a relaxed and friendly lifestyle.

One of the migration options below may be of interest to you.

Regional sponsored migration scheme (RSMS):

For skilled people who are nominated by an Australian regional employer. The regional sponsored migration scheme (RSMS) enables employers in regional and low population growth areas of Australia to nominate skilled workers from overseas, or who are currently working in Australia on a temporary visa, for permanent residence.

Occupations that meet the skill requirements of the RSMS include:

n           managers and administrators (e.g. specialist managers, faculty heads,
IT managers)

n           professionals (e.g. registered nurses, general medical practitioners,
teachers, engineers)

n           associate professionals (e.g. technicians, office managers, project and
program administrators)

n           tradespersons (e.g. motor mechanics, chefs, fitters, hairdressers, welders).

n           Employers must nominate a position that:

n           is a genuine vacancy providing full-time employment for at least two years;

n           relates to an occupation requiring a person with an Australian equivalent trade, diploma or higher qualification to perform the work

n           provides a salary and working conditions that meet Australian legislation and awards.

n           The visa applicant must, unless exceptional circumstances apply:

n           hold an Australian equivalent trade, diploma or higher qualification relevant to the occupation

n           have functional English (IELTS 4.5)

n           be less than 45 years of age.

Regional sponsored visa:

The skilled – regional sponsored visa allows skilled workers who are unable to meet the criteria for a permanent visa the opportunity to apply for residence in Australia, after they have lived for two years and worked full-time for at least 12 months in a specified regional area of Australia. Applicants are required to be either:

n          nominated by a participating state or territory government agency

n          sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.

Successful applicants are initially granted a three-year visa to give them time to satisfy the residence and employment criteria for a permanent visa. Applicants who are unable to satisfy these requirements are eligible to apply for a further skilled – regional sponsored visa that will extend their stay in Australia for a further 12 months.

A condition applied to all skilled – regional sponsored visas is that while a visa holder is in Australia, they must not live, study or work outside a specified regional area.

There is no restriction on the type of work that skilled – regional sponsored visa holders may undertake. They are also allowed to work in up to two concurrent part-time jobs to meet the full-time work requirement.

Skill matching database (SMD):

Linking skilled migrants to areas experiencing skill shortages. You can increase your chance of being offered a job in Australia by having your qualifications and employment history listed on the skill matching database. The database is a free web-based tool that helps match skilled people, with skilled vacancies in Australia.

The SMD is used by employers and state and territory governments. To be included on the skill matching database, you must have a valid application for a specific visa category. More information about the skill matching database is available at
 www.immi.gov.au/skills

State/territory sponsorship for business skills applicants:

For business people

State and territory sponsored business skills visas allow state/territory governments to sponsor business people to set up businesses in regional, rural and low growth areas
of Australia.

This category allows people to enter Australia on a business skills (provisional) temporary visa for four years. After satisfactory evidence of a specified level of business or investment activity, you can apply for permanent residence under the business skills (residence) visa class.

Flexible visa criteria applies for state/territory sponsored business skills visas as they are not points tested, at both the provisional and permanent residence stage.

More Information: For detailed information on criteria for the regional migration categories, refer to migration booklets which are sold at Australian overseas missions (see contact details at the back of this publication). Information can also be downloaded from DIAC’s website free of charge at www.immi.gov.au.