Skilled Migration for the Northern Rivers
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Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers (RDA NR) is making an important contribution to the Northern Rivers NSW region’s economy through its skilled migration programs. For employers who need a position filled and cannot do so with local labour, skilled migrant labour can be critical. For skilled workers from overseas, these pathways to permanent residency can potentially provide an opportunity for a quality lifestyle in a quiet yet vibrant regional Australian community.
Under the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs there are several regional visa options that can assist employers and prospective employees. RDA NR’s primary involvement is with the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
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. The 494 Visa allows a nominee to:
- Live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years.
- Apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time of visa grant.
Under the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs, RDA NR performs the role of Regional Certifying Body for this visa, which entails providing advice to the Department about local labour market conditions and other relevant regional matters.
RDANR is the only RCB for the Northern Rivers region of NSW, which includes the following 7 Local Government Areas:
- Ballina
- Byron
- Clarence Valley
- Kyogle
- Lismore
- Richmond Valley
- Tweed
Please follow the links below for detailed skilled migration information assistance.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa sub-class 494
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
This is a provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia and allows them to:
- stay in Australia for 5 years
- live, work and study in a designated regional areas of Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
- apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time of visa grant.
RDA NR accept applications under Pathway 1 from prospective skilled migrations for the NSW Government nominated Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Applicants are supported by RDANR and receive a State Sponsored nomination if they meet the criteria and are skilled in an occupation that is:
- within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Skilled Work Regional Skills List; AND
- is eligible for the Skilled Work visa (subclass 491)
- have a suitable skills assessment for their occupation
- satisfy the points test
In addition to liaising with employers and skilled migrants, RDANR works with community organisations which help address the challenges of settling in and engaging with a regional community.
Follow this link for more information on how to apply for a Skilled Regional NSW (visa sub-class 491) nominations
More general information on visas may be found at: https://www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/information-and-advice-skilled-regional-visas/
The Northern Rivers Region
If you are interested in relocating to this region, we encourage you to learn about it. Online information can be found on this website and also at www.northernriversnsw.com.au/the-region/
