RDA FSC is now accepting OFFSHORE applications for subclass 491

This RDA will be accepting IRN submissions for this program from 1st September 2021 – any and all IRNs, email applications or submissions sent in BEFORE this date, will need to be resubmitted from 1st September 2021 to be considered.

Under this new arrangement, each RDA will be responsible for setting their own eligible skilled occupations for nomination (within DoHA and NSW Treasury guidelines) and accepting and assessing nomination applications.

Nomination Criteria for a 491 visa in NSW will remain consistent across all regions, however the application process, eligible skilled occupations, including any additional requirements for some occupations, will vary by region.

Please note that as a result of COVID-19 and significant reductions in Australia’s Migration Program Planning Levels, the chances of being nominated are currently low and you must meet the published nomination criteria to apply.

Please see below for information about applying for sponsorship from the Far South Coast region of NSW.

Nomination criteria

You must meet all the criteria in one of the three following streams to be eligible for NSW nomination:

1. Living and working in regional NSW;
2. recently completed study in regional NSW; or
3. living and working outside of a designated regional postcode of NSW.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria in one of these three streams may be refused unless otherwise agreed with NSW Treasury.

‘Closely related occupations’ are defined as those having the same ANZSCO unit group, i.e. sharing the same first four digits.

‘Designated regional areas’ are determined by Home Affairs. Please see their website for a list of regional NSW postcodes.

1. Living and working in regional NSW

To be eligible for NSW nomination under this stream you must:

• hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your nominated region’s occupation list;
• have been living in a designated regional area in NSW for at least the previous 12 months; and
• have been working in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous 12 months.

2. Recently completed study in regional NSW

To be eligible for NSW nomination under this stream you must:

• hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your nominated region’s occupation list;
• have completed study or education with an education provider, where:
  • the study was completed within the previous 24 months;
  • the education provider is located in a designated regional area in NSW;
  • the study meets the Australian study requirement (as determined by Home Affairs from time to time); and
  • the qualification obtained from this study has been assessed as closely related to your nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority; and
• have lived in a designated regional area of NSW while completing your study.

3. I am skilled in an occupation required in Regional NSW

• hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your nominated region’s occupation list

Note that payment for your application assessment fee does not guarantee a positive outcome for your application. You are paying for the assessment process, not the outcome. Processing begins as soon as we provide you with an ARN (Application Reference Number). Once processing has begun refunds are no longer available. There is no exception to this.

Alternative migration options

NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is just one of a number of visa options for prospective skilled migrants. There are a range of visas offered by Home Affairs, including both temporary and permanent employer nominated visas.

You may also wish to seek advice from a registered migration agent. A list of registered migration agents is available on the Migration Agents Registration Authority website.