RCB Services

What is Regional Migration Certification?

As a Regional Certifying Body for Queensland, it is our role to assess applications lodged under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) (SESR) and provide certification advice to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA). RCB advice can be provided before or after a SESR (Subclass 494) Nomination application is made with DoHA, but is a mandatory criterion for the DoHA to approve the Nomination application.

This visa subclass 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 willing to move to the regional area where the nominated position is located. 

RSMS AAT certifications - The Chamber has received a small number of requests to provide updated certifications for RSMS cases going through review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The Chamber is happy to accommodate requests to consider re-certifying, whether the new certification is requested by the AAT or simply being provided by the sponsor to support their review case (standard certification fee applies as per the "Certification Fees and Terms of Service" tab below). 

Why the Cairns Chamber?

DoHA advise that "local knowledge about businesses operating in the RCB's jurisdiction adds value to the [Nomination and Visa] assessment process".

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is best positioned to regularly interact with the Far North Queensland business community and be in the know about regional issues and local labour market conditions, and provide genuine "local knowledge" to assist DoHA decision-makers. The Chamber now employs a migration expert with 27 years of experience in the field to undertake these certifications and to manage the new FNQ DAMA.

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce was gazetted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship as a Regional Certifying Body on 5 February 1997.

What are the Criteria?

The Cairns Chamber's Regional Certifying Body (RCB) Migration Manager is responsible for assessing requests for certification for SESR (Subclass 494) visas nomination applications. All nomination and visa decisions themselves are made by DoHA. 

The primary criterion assessed by the RCB during certification assessment is whether the identified person for the position would be paid at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the occupation, taking into account the regional location, market and circumstances. 

DoHA relies on the Cairns Chamber of Commerce's local knowledge "about businesses operating in the RCB's jurisdiction [that] adds value to the [Nomination and Visa] assessment process".    

What else do I need to know?

All SESR (Subclass 494) applications are required to have a certification from Regional Certifying Body that has jurisdiction for the area where the position is located. The RCB certification needs to be provided to DoHA before they decide the associated Nomination application.

• For up-to-date information on the SESR and other migration programs and requirements, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website;
• If you require visa and migration assistance, please contact a local Registered Migration Agent.

Certification Fees and Terms of Service

SESR (Subclass 494) certification requests will be assessed within 10 business days from date of submission providing all required information is included. Upfront payment is required and the certification requests will not be assessed without receipted payment. Most applications will be finalised in less than ten business days where possible, provided the information included is acceptable. Payment may be made via MasterCard, Visa, Cheque or Money order.

• Service - SESR (Subclass 494) RCB certification request; 
• Fee* - Members of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce: $522 (incl GST) per application ("member" refers to the business seeking certification, not their migration agent)
• Fee* - Non-Members of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce: $580 (incl GST) per application

Credit Card Authorisation Form

Note that the Chamber, as the RCB, is still able to continue accepting requests for RCB certification for the former RSMS beyond the 15 November 2019 cease date for RSMS nominations, as there is no legislative basis for ceasing RCB certifications on that date.

RCB Certification Assessment Requirements

The following must be included with certification requests:

• DoHA Form 1404;
• A copy of the Nomination application submitted to DoHA (or the draft if not yet submitted);
• A copy of the Nominee's letter of offer or employment contract;
• Evidence and associated explanation of how you determined the Nominee's salary, taking into account the Annual Market Salary Rate for the occupation (for information about how to determine salary/AMSR, see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/nominating-a-position/salary-requirements );
• An organisational chart showing where the nominated position sits within the business;
• A covering letter in support of the certification request, including any information that will assist the Chamber in value-adding with local knowledge/information;
• Credit Card Authorisation Form.

Please call the Cairns Chamber of Commerce office on +617 4031 1838 if you have questions about the SESR certification process, or email email/migration)(cairnschamber.com.au Further information about the SESR (Subclass 494) Visa is available at the Dept of Home Affairs website

Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA)

The Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA), signed in April 2019, was launched on 13 September 2019. For full details and "How to Apply", please see the FNQ DAMA pages.