OVERVIEW
1. Regional migration program for employers to fill skilled positions
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has a program that enables employers in regional areas fill skilled occupations when the positions cannot be filled from the local labour market.
DIAC website link to information on the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 119/857):
2. Sample occupations and their suitability under the RSMS program Key:ü Applicable under this program.ý Not Applicable under this program
ASCO Major level
Example ASCO Code
Example
RSMS
RSMS – Option A*
1. Managers and Administrators
1112-11
General Manager
ü
ü
2. Professionals
2211-11
Accountant
ü
ü
3. Associate Professionals
3322-11
Chef
ü
ü
4. Tradespersons and Related Workers
4211-11
Motor Mechanic
ü
ü
5. Advanced Clerical and Service Workers
5111-11
Secretary
ý
ü
6. Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers
6396-13
Outdoor Adventure Operator
ý
ü
7. Intermediate Production and Transport Workers
7993-01
Supervisor, Storeperson
ý
ü
8. Elementary Clerical, Sales and Service Workers
8291-11
Checkout Operator
ý
ý
9. Labourers and Related Workers
9921-79
Farm Hands
ý
ý
*Option A relates to a position that has been held by an employee with their employer/sponsor for the previous 2 years, whilst on a Temporary Long Stay Business Visa.
3. Regional Certifying Body assessment
All RSMS applications need to be certified by the local Regional Certifying Body (RCB) officer before they are lodged with the DIAC.
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is a Regional Certifying Body as gazetted by the
Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 5 February 1997. We consider applications from Cardwell, north to and including the Torres Straits and West to the Northern Territory Border with Queensland. This includes the Tablelands, Cassowary Coast and Cairns Regional Councils.
4. Certification process by Regional Certifying Body
If you require assistance with completing your application, you will need to contact a Migration Agent or the Department of Immigration.Some useful links and contacts can be found at the end of this document.
The standard turnaround time for our certification process is 10 working days (once all correct documentation has been received).If the applicant’s visa is going to expire within this time, we suggest that you contact the Department of Immigration or a Migration Agent for advice.
Step 1.Follow the steps outlined on the Department of Immigration website for the program you are applying under (as per website links at the start of this document), then:
Step 2.Ensure your application addresses the following items that we consider when assessing your application:
The position cannot be filled locally.
The tasks of the nominated position correspond to the tasks of a skilled occupation
The position being considered is a genuine, full time position that is necessary to the operation of the business.
The working conditions of the position, including salary, will be no less favourable than those provided for under Australian legislation and awards.
Step 3.Send the following documents to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce. (Apart from the Department of Immigration Forms, documents supplied to our office willnot be returned.Please keep copies)
.
Department of Immigration Form 1054 (RSMS)
Position description including the relevant ASCO Code;
Resume/CV;
Draft employment contract;
Evidence of labour market testing i.e. copies of advertisements for position/letter outlining need for position and inability to fill from local labourmarket.
Organisational chart
Payment of $550.00/position made payable to Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Send documentation to: Cairns Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 2336, CAIRNSQLD4870 E: F: 07 40310883
Step 4.We will assess the application and make a decision as to whether or not we certify the application.
If we certify the application, the original form 1054 and a letter of approval will then be returned to you to lodge with the Department of Immigration.We also forward a letter to the Department of Immigration to notify them of your application.
Please note that certification of an application by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce does not guarantee that it will be approved by the Department of Immigration.
F At this point the Cairns Chamber of Commerce has no further involvement in the application process. Future enquiries about your application should then be directed to the Department of Immigration or to your Migration Agent.
Step 5. Once you have received certification from us, you then need to lodge your application with the Department of Immigration as explained in their forms.
