Employer Sponsored Migration

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government assists local employers sponsor skilled workers from overseas by certifying that the nominated position meets certain skill/salary criteria, before the application is lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Employers can sponsor skilled workers for permanent residence:

  • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 119/857)—sponsoring a skilled employee from overseas to work permanently in Australia.

As from 14 September 2009, amendments to the Migration Act 1958 and associated regulations came into effect as a part of the 'Worker Protection' reforms. As a result of these changes, regional concessions are no longer available under the Temporary Business (Long Stay) Subclass 457 Visa program.

Important Notice — ACT Government processing

The Australian Government has made changes to the skilled migration visa regime, which are scheduled to commence from 1 July 2012.

Due to these changes, the ACT Government advises that 'complete' applications (hard copy) should be lodged with our office by 1 May 2012 in order to be processed before the changes come into effect.

Applications submitted after 1 May 2012 are unlikely to be processed before the changes commence. Applicants who are not processed before the changes commence will need to complete a new application under the new skilled migration visa regime from 1 July 2012.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 119/857)—Sponsoring a Skilled Employee from Overseas for Permanent Residence

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Subclass 119/857 Visa enables Canberra employers to fill 'skilled' positions, on a permanent basis, with non-Australian citizens, where they have been unable to fill a vacancy from the local labour market or through their own training programs. Under the RSMS, the nominated position must be certified by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB). The RCB in the ACT is the Skilled and Business Migration Program, part of the ACT Economic Development Directorate.

Click on the following links to obtain an application form and guidelines on how to apply for ACT Government Certification of a RSMS Nomination.

Application Form

Guidelines

Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

Before applying for ACT Government sponsorship, you might like to find out more about visa applications and sponsorship on the DIAC website: www.immi.gov.au External Link

Lodgement of Applications

Applications for ACT Government certification should be forwarded to:

The Manager
Skilled and Business Migration
ACT Economic Development Directorate

By courier to:

  • Level 2 Telstra House
    490 Northbourne Avenue
    Dickson  ACT 2602
    AUSTRALIA

By mail to:

  • GPO Box 158
    Canberra ACT 2601

Processing Time

To view the processing times for 'completed' applications, click: Processing Times.

Contact Details

For further information about this program contact: