Regional Skilled Migration
RDA Southern NSW and ACT administers the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) - Employer Sponsored Stream visas for Southern NSW and ACT. As the regional certifying body (RCB) for the region, we provide the Department of Home Affairs with information about local labour market conditions and other relevant regional matters.
Visa options for employing workers in regional Australia
If you are looking to employ workers in regional Australia, you must ensure that they are legally able to work in Australia. There are penalties for employing illegal workers. Check out the brochure Visa options for employing workers in regional Australia to check the visa options for employing workers in regional Australia.
For more information on visa options for employing workers in regional Australia visit:
Thinking of moving to our region?
Applying for a Regional Skilled Migration Visa
Please see below for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) - Employer Sponsored Stream.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
(Subclass 494) - Employer Sponsored Stream
This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
To be eligible, migrants:
Must be nominated by an eligible business to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
Have at least 3 years relevant work experience in their nominated occupation
Have a relevant skills assessment, unless an exemption applies
Work only for their sponsor or associated entity, unless an exemption applies
Be under 45 years of age, unless an exemption applies
Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
Please be advised that the NSW Government adminsters The Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491). Please see their website for further information: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/skilled-work-regional-visa-subclass-491
How we’ve helped
We have referred many applicants for regional skilled migration filling roles that were unable to be recruited within the local workforce.
In FY 2023 we referred:
314 x 491 visas
20 x 494 visas
In FY 2022 we referred:
222 x 491 visas
23 x 494 visas
In FY 2021 we referred:
301 x 491 visas
23 x 494 visas