Far South Coast Regional Certifying Body

Regional Development Australia Far South Coast (RDA FSC) is not permitted by legislation to advise. That is the role of a registered migration agent. Obviously, making an assessment and providing advice to the Department of Home Affairs would not have integrity if we were providing advice and instructions to those who apply for RCB assessment. However, we are able to assist by directing employers to the relevant information they need and by answering questions about the process.

In relation to start-up businesses, RDA FSC requires a particularly sound case be put in respect to the genuine need for the position and nomination. If it is clear that a skilled migrant was required from the inception of a business, then why go ahead the business? How genuine could the efforts to fill the position locally really have been?  If a business is less than six months old, it is the responsibility of the nominating employer or their Registered Migration Agent to provide an additionally strong argument for the nomination, supported by documents mentioned in our Check List (below) and more – a business plan and explanation about what led to the need for the position are good examples.

It is recommended that employers read as much information about this visa program as possible to understand what is involved and what their obligations entail.

The employer may submit a request for RCB assessment before or after lodging the nomination application with the Department. However, the nomination must be approved before the 494 visa application is lodged. Please note that this RCB will not accept an application for assessment until after we have conducted a site visit and met with both the employer and proposed visa recipient.

The Visa sub-class 494 is a pathway to permanent residency, with the visa having a five-year duration and only permitting recipients to live, work or study in a regional location.

RDA FSC is the RCB for employer nominations for the region which encompasses the three Local Government Areas of Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley.

Employers wishing to submit a request for RCB assessment must supply supporting documents that demonstrate their business or organisation is financially viable, is a sound going concern and will be able to employ the nominee for (at least) the three year visa period.

Applying for SKILLED EMPLOYER SPONSORED REGIONAL (PROVISIONAL) VISA – EMPLOYER SPONSORED STREAM (SESR) Subclass 494 Visa

The Department requires RCB advice to be submitted within 28 days of receipt of an application from an employer, therefore you are required to submit a complete application. Once your application has been confirmed as received, processing will begin and we will be unable to accept any further documentation or amendments. Incomplete applications will be assessed as submitted and may not satisfy the requirements. Due to the tight time frame, we are unable to seek further information from you. We do not refund if your application is incomplete, therefore, we strongly urge you to ensure all the requirements have been met before you submit your application to the RCB.

The Department considers RCB advice to be valid for three months. If the timeframes result in a need to validate expired advice, the fee for such validation is $AUD385.00 (incl. GST). If an employer needs to reapply and the RCB has concerns that circumstances may have changed significantly, a new assessment may need to be conducted. If that is the case, the full fee will apply.

Migration agents must supply a completed form 956 as authorisation to act as an agent on the employer’s behalf.

The required documents are outlined via the Check List below:

	RDA FSC RCB SESR 494 Visa Application Checklist – Essential Documentation
	Administrative Requirements:
1.1	Date of RDA FSC site visit and name of RCB officer (No fee is payable for this visit. Please note we cannot accept your application until after the site visit has occurred.)
1.2	Evidence of payment of Processing Fee – include your bank receipt which must note the visa type and name of the nominee (e.g. 494 ‘SMITH’). The fee is non-refundable (except for special circumstances). This fee must be paid in advance, as it is the service and not the outcome that is being paid for.
1.3	RCB (RDA FSC) SESR Coversheet
1.4	DoHA Form 1404
1.5	Form 956 if application submitted by Migration Agent (if applicable)
1.6	ANZSCO Code
	Addressing the Criteria
2.1	Business Registration (ABN or ACN Certificate)
2.2	Business description outlining the goods and services provided
2.3	Job Description detailing the duties of the nominated position
2.4	Employment Contract or Letter of Offer. The Employment Contract or Letter of Offer must indicate the total remuneration package and clearly include details of the following: –                  Applicable Award or Agreement; –                  Base salary and total remuneration package including superannuation and any other allowances/benefits; –                  Superannuation percentage; –                  Remuneration for overtime; –                  Detailed leave entitlements; –                  Core hours and days of the week to be worked; –                  Other benefits, terms and/or conditions.
2.5	Payslips for Australian employees in equivalent positions (last names may be blanked out to protect privacy)
2.6	Employment contracts for Australian employees in equivalent positions (last names may be blanked out to protect privacy) or,
	Where there is no equivalent Australian employee you must provide the following:
2.7	Evidence from ABS
2.8	Remuneration surveys
2.9	Relevant job vacancy advertisements with salary given
2.10	Data for unions or employer associations
	Additional Evidence to Support your Application
3.1	Organisational Chart indicating the nominated employee’s position within the nominated business
3.2	Letter from your Accountant certifying they have conducted the Audit process for the nominating business for the past two years and certifying the financial viability of the nominator including their ability to meet their financial obligations. This certification should specifically indicate the ability of the nominator to pay the nominated employee salary and entitlements and any on costs for a period of at least three years; P&L for previous two years; Balance Sheet for previous two years. DO NOT INCLUDE BAS REPORTS OR OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION UNLESS REQUESTED ABOVE.
3.3	Evidence of advertising for the position locally (local newspaper, etc.)
3.4	Evidence of advertising for the position via the internet (SEEK, Indeed, etc.)
3.5	Registration with a local employment service provider (if applicable)
3.6	Evidence of response to advertising including any applications for the position, employer’s selection criteria, and rationale behind the successful employee’s selection
3.7	Copy of DIBP application (if already submitted with DIBP) or draft copy if application not yet submitted
3.8	Transaction reference Number if application already submitted to DIBP

Post Codes | Suburb | Regional RCB 

Application Fee: 

Skilled Regional State Nominated (491 visa): AUD $800.00 (incl. GST)
Employer Nomination (RSMS 494 Visa): AUD $770.00 (incl. GST)

We accept payment for your assessment fee by Direct Deposit only.

Please ensure that you include a copy of your payment receipt with your application submission so we can identify your payment.

Paying by Direct Deposit

Our bank account details are as below. This can be completed either through your online banking or by going into a branch of St George Bank near you. Please include 491/the name that the application is in/and the IRN for the reference detail for the deposit. 

Bank:	St George Bank
Account Name:	Regional Development Australia – Far South Coast Inc.
BSB:	112 879
Account No:	410 665 970

Contact Details:

Address: 

81a North Street,
Nowra NSW 2541

PO Box 1227,
Nowra, NSW, 2541

Phone: [phone]

Please note the Migration Office closes at 3:30pm

Email: [e-mail]