Hunter Regional Certifying Body

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa subclass 494

RDA Hunter invites skilled migrants to enjoy the lifestyle of regional Australia by applying for sponsorship to live and work in the Hunter region under the Employer Nominated Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa subclass 494 Employer Sponsored stream. The SESR 494 enables Australian employers in regional areas to sponsor (nominate) skilled overseas workers. This 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. Minimum time for employment under nominator in regional location of nomination is 3 years.

Skilled Occupation List

Visas are available to individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can meet all other requirements.

Hunter Eligible Postcodes:

Regional Development Australia Hunter is gazetted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) for the Hunter Region in NSW. Applicants outside this region should locate an RCB near to them. The regional areas located under RDA Hunter certification open for SESR 494 visa nomination are listed by post code below:
Post Codes | Suburb | Regional RCB 

Post Codes

2264 – 2267, 2278, 2280 – 2308, 2311 – 2338, 2415, 2420 – 2430

Assessment Process

Employer or Migration Agent sends completed 1404 form and relevant documentation for assessment (details outlined in RCB Checklist) electronically via [e-mail]. If relevant, Migration Agent to include a completed 956 form with application.

RDA Hunter sends a confirmation once an application has been received and issues an invoice via email. Upon receipt of an invoice payment can be made via direct deposit. Receipt of invoice may vary depending on application received confirmation and invoice cycle.

RDA Hunter assesses the application against the criteria outlined by the Department of Home Affairs. On completion of assessment RDA Hunter provides advice to both Department of Home Affairs and the employer and/or migration agent as to if the application satisfies the criteria and sends an electronic copy of the 1404 form to nominee employer and the Department.

Processing Time

RDA Hunter will make assessment within 28 days within receipt of the processing fee, so applicants need to consider this when submitting their application with supporting documentation. 

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa subclass 494

RDA Hunter charges a non-refundable service fee of $675 (including GST) per application. Expedited services are not available.
Application Requirements and Documentation
Essential Documents

• Completed Form 1404
• Completed Form 956 submitted by Migration Agent (if applicable)
• Completed RDA Hunter RCB Checklist. Please mark against criteria with evidence included in application.

Please note: RCB Checklist document is a GUIDE ONLY of the types of supporting evidence that should be included for an SESR application. Further evidence may be required where necessary and assessment is not restricted to the documentation below. The onus is on the employer to provide adequate information for the RCB to assess the nomination.

Criteria for Assessment and Evidence Required

If the nominee will be paid an annual salary of less than AUD250,000, you must determine and show us that you will pay the nominee at least the annual market salary rate (AMSR) for the nominated position.
o Evidence the employer has determined the AMSR
o Evidence the overseas worker will not be paid less than this amount (i.e. less than what an Australian worker would be paid)
o Both the AMSR and what the overseas worker will be paid, excluding any non-monetary benefits in both cases, must be no less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)

Supporting Documents to Assess Criteria

To assess whether the identified person would be paid at least the annual market salary rate for the occupation RDA Hunter RCB requires supporting documentation. Examples of this could be:
– Employment Contract or Letter of Offer (inclusive of the Award/Agreement, base salary & entitlements).
– A copy of the Australian Industry Award as per the Australian Government Fairwork Ombudsman website.
– Employment payslips for Australian employees in equivalent positions (if applicable).
– Evidence of annual market salary rate. The annual market salary rate (AMSR) is determined by looking at what you would pay equivalent Australian workers, enterprise agreements or industrial awards, job outlook information, advertisements for the last 6 months in the same location, remuneration surveys or advice from unions or employer associations.

Please note: There is no requirement for documentation that does not directly relate to the nominated position to contain any details that might breach the privacy rights of other individuals involved. For example, payslips for Australian workers in equivalent positions should not contain the names of these workers.
RDA Hunter as RCB only provide advice on the AMSR, not terms & conditions such as hours of work, leave entitlements etc.

Additional Information

RDA Hunter RCB is able to provide information only in the scope of the 494 visa, noted above, specifically directed at attracting Skilled Migrants to regional Australia. Advice on general migration matters cannot be provided.

Contact Details

Address: MLC Centre 19 Martin Place Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: [phone]

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

For enquiries regarding Regional Skilled Visas contact: RDA Hunter’s Skilled Migration Officer, Alana Plowright
Email: [e-mail]