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Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Requirements
The minimum requirements of this Subclass 187 visa are set out below:

 

Employer

The business seeking to employ you must:

  • be actively and lawfully operating in a regional area of Australia
  • genuinely need you to work in the nominated position under its direct control, and have the capacity to employ you in this position for at least two years

 

Position

The position to be filled must:

  • be full-time and available for at least 2 years from the time your visa is granted
  • be located in the regional area of Australia in which your employer operates its business
  • not be able to be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is living in (or would move to) the area in which the position is located
  • be an occupation included on the current Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) OR the Regional Occupation List (ROL)
  • have a salary that is:
  • at least $53,900 per year (excluding any non-monetary benefits) AND
  • at least the annual market salary rate (AMSR) for your nominated occupation
NOTES: The AMSR for your nominated occupation (excluding non-monetary benefits) must also be no less than $53,900 per year.

The AMSR is the salary that an Australian earns (or would earn) for performing equivalent work on a full-time basis for a year in the same workplace at the same location.

You will be exempt from the AMSR requirement if your salary is more than $250,000 per year.

  • be subject to conditions of employment (other than earnings) that are no worse than those that apply (or would apply) to Australians performing equivalent work in the same location.

 

Visa Applicant

As the visa applicant, you must (unless specifically exempt from any requirement):

  • have competent English i.e.
    • hold a valid passport issued by the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland (and you are a citizen of that country) OR
    • an IELTS test score of at least 6 in EACH test component OR
    • an OET test score of at least B in EACH test component OR
    • a TOEFL iBT test score of at least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking OR
    • a PTE test score of at least 50 in EACH test component OR
    • a CAE test score of at least 169 in EACH test component
NOTES: In each case, the test must have been undertaken within the last three years.
  • have the qualifications required by ANZSCO for your nominated occupation
NOTES: This does not apply to applicants who are nominated for certain trade occupations, and have no Australian qualifications. Such applicants must instead obtain a formal skills assessment.
  • have at least three years of full-time experience in your nominated occupation
  • be under 45 years of age
  • meet any mandatory licensing, registration or professional membership requirements

 

Application

Stage 1: Nomination Application

This application is lodged with the DHA on behalf of your employer, and relates to the skilled position that you have been offered, which must meet the requirements referred to above. Your employer is required to supply documents to the DHA in support of this application, the nature and extent of which will vary depending upon the particular circumstances of the business.

NOTES: The skilled position must also be assessed by the local Regional Certifying Body (RCB), the advice of which the DHA takes into account when making its decision. RCB assessment applications are lodged with the relevant RCB on the employer’s behalf, in most cases before the nomination application is lodged with the DHA.

Skilling Australians Fund Levy

Employers must pay a one-off Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy for EACH subclass 186 nomination lodged with the DHA. The amount payable varies based on the employer’s annual turnover: For employers with an annual turnover of LESS THAN AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$3,000 per nomination. For employers with an annual turnover of AT LEAST AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$5,000 per nomination. The SAF levy must be paid upfront, at the time that the nomination is lodged. Please contact our office for further information regarding the SAF levy

Stage 2: Visa Application

Your visa application is lodged with the DHA either at the same time as the nomination application, or within six months of the DHA’s approval of the nomination. The main criterion is that you fulfil the above requirements, including the standard health and character checks.

Once the DHA has approved both applications, you will be granted a permanent visa. You may be in Australia or outside Australia when your visa is granted. You must then work in the nominated position with your employer for a term of at least 2 years from the visa grant date.

 

How long does it take?

The time that it takes the DHA to process your application is dependent upon its processing time service standards, and may also vary due to a number of other factors, including the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors and processing priorities. Please contact us for current information regarding likely processing time frames for this type of application.

 

Want to get the ball rolling and get started on you Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration application? Of course you do! Book your free telephone or Zoom consultation now! Click here to book.

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