RDA Northern Rivers is a Regional Certifying Body for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494).
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) (SESR visa) enables Australian employers in designated regional areas to nominate skilled overseas workers. The SESR 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.
When an employer decides to nominate a skilled overseas worker for a SESR visa in the Employer Sponsored (ES) stream, the nomination must be accompanied by advice completed by a relevant Regional Certifying Body (RCB). The RCB must have responsibility for the area where the nominated position is located. RCBs provide advice to the Department regarding the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the occupation.
More information about the SESR visa here
Regional Australia
The SESR visa covers all of Australia except Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Areas of Australia is further defined by reference to a Legislative Instrument that specifies regional areas by postcode.
View Designated regional area postcodes here.
RCB Assessment
A “request for assessment” can be made electronically (preferred) to 494visa@rdanorthernrivers.org.au, or for paper-based applications, PO Box 146 Lismore NSW 2480. For each request for assessment lodged, the RCB must provide the Department with advice as to whether the identified person would be paid at least the AMSR for the occupation.
Please refer to our checklist for the required documents
Criteria: Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
There is a market salary rate framework for the SESR visa program. As a result, where the overseas skilled worker will be paid less than AUD250,000, nominators need to demonstrate that:
- they have determined the AMSR
- the overseas skilled worker will not be paid less than this amount (i.e. less than what an Australian worker would be paid)
- both the AMSR and what the overseas skilled worker will be paid, excluding any non-monetary benefits in both cases, must be no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) – i.e. currently AUD70,000.
Further information on salary and employment condition requirements for sponsored skilled visas, including determining the AMSR, can be found here.
