Regional Skilled Migration

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Regional Development Australia Southern NSW & ACT plays a key role in strengthening the regional economy by supporting employers through its Skilled Migration Programs. For skilled workers from overseas, these pathways to permanent residency offer the chance to build a fulfilling career while enjoying a high-quality lifestyle in a vibrant yet peaceful regional Australian community.

Various regional visa options are available to assist both employers and prospective employees. To explore these opportunities, visit the Department of Home Affairs Immigration and Citizenship website.

Regional migration

Employer sponsorship 

EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP

If you’ve explored all options to hire a local worker (Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident) and have been unable to find a suitably qualified candidate, you may consider sponsoring a skilled overseas worker. To learn more about the sponsorship process, visit the Home Affairs webpage on sponsoring overseas workers.

Learn about sponsoring

OUR ROLE

RDA Southern NSW is currently involved in two sponsorship pathways:

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REGIONAL TEMPORARY VISA HOLDERS

Changes are from 1 January 2025, for Regional Temporary Visa holders outside of Sydney and Greater Wollongong.

All students on a temporary resident visa will now be able to enrol in their local school, based on their residential address. Enrolment fees will be waived for families that are regional holders of Temporary Skills Shortage visas (subclass 482), i.e. those who reside outside of greater Sydney and Wollongong.

For more information, see the announcement below.

Announcement

VISA OPTIONS

The right visa will depend on the circumstances of the business and potential employee. RDASNA is unable to advise on the best options for your circumstances. If you require assistance in this area, please contact a registered migration agent or contact Home Affairs.

To learn more about potential visa options check the Home Affairs Regional Visas page.

Regional work visas

Skilled Visa’s in Australia factsheet August 2024 Skilled+visas+in+Australia+v1.7.pdf

List of current Labour Agreements in our region, can be found here.


MIGRATION NEWS

SMART MOVE

Are you a skilled worker who wants to accelerate your career in a country of endless opportunities? Come and share our relaxed lifestyle and enjoy our beautiful weather – a combination perfect for raising a family and making lifelong friends.

We want workers from a range of industries, especially health, education, infrastructure, ICT and technology to make the smart move Down Under. With the Australian Government fast-tracking visa applications from skilled workers outside the country, now is the time to turn your Aussie dream into reality.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

For enquiries, please email migration@rdasna.org.au

RDA Southern NSW & ACT Office: 02 6190 2577

Please note: It is not the role of RDA Southern NSW & ACT to give migration advice. If you require migration advice or assistance with your visa application, please contact Home Affairs or a migration agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

Visa 491 Enquiries

As of July 2023, the RDA network no longer administers the Subclass 491 visa nominations. All nominations are now handled directly by the NSW Government.

For more information and to explore your options for applying for the 491 visa, please refer to the NSW Government website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/skilled-work-regional-visa-subclass-491

Email: skilled.migration@investment.nsw.gov.au