Many regional areas of Australia have skill shortages. Employers need skilled workers to fill job vacancies so their businesses can thrive and expand. If an employer cannot find a particular skill in the local labour market, sponsoring a skilled worker through a regional migration scheme may be an option.
The state-specific and regional migration schemes under Australia’s skilled migration programme help alleviate these shortages. They help deliver young, skilled workers from overseas to where they are needed most – regional areas.
Regional Outreach Officers
Regional Outreach Officers (ROOs) are based in Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs’ (DIMA) business centres throughout Australia. They are a key contact point for employers wanting information on regional migration.
The ROO network helps regional Australia make the most of skilled migration. ROOs work with all levels of government and regional employers to raise awareness about regional migration. They provide advice about how to recruit overseas workers to fill skilled vacancies. You may meet a ROO at a number of expos in the next few months including the Agquip Show in Gunnedah, August 22-24 and the Hunter Expo in Newcastle, September 6-7.
Regional Migration Options
A number of DIMA programmes include concessions that recognise the special circumstances of rural and regional areas. They help both employers and state/territory governments to directly address skill shortages.
Sponsoring permanent employees
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme helps regional employers sponsor permanent migrants to fill full-time vacancies (available for at least two years) when a position cannot be filled locally. Generally, the skilled migrants need to be less than 45 years of age, have functional English, at least diploma level qualifications and relevant work experience. Visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/rsms/index.htm
Sponsoring temporary employees
Temporary business entry arrangements such as the Regional Temporary Long Stay visa (subclass 457) provide a fast, flexible way to recruit skilled workers for up to four years. It usually takes a few weeks to process these visas. This visa has concessions for regional employers, and minimum salary and skill requirements for the skilled worker. Before the temporary visa expires, employers can sponsor their worker for another period of temporary employment or sponsor them permanently under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme. Visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/index.htm
Skilled Independent Regional visa
The Skilled Independent Regional visa helps state and territory governments sponsor skilled migrants to live and work in regional Australia for at least two years. Once a Skilled Independent Regional visa holder has lived in regional Australia for two years and been employed for at least one year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residence, particularly through the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
Skill Matching Database
If you need help finding suitable skilled workers, you can use the free, web-based Skill Matching Database which contains the details of skilled migrants interested in working in Australia. The Skill Matching Database contains the education and current occupation details of more than 7000 skilled persons in over 300 occupations, many of which are in demand in regional Australia. These people are keen to make contact with employers. They are young, English speaking and have trade or professional qualifications that meet Australian standards.
Use the Skill Matching Database as a recruitment tool when you cannot find the skills you need locally. Visit www.immi.gov.au/skills/index.htm (ADD LINK) or contact a ROO near you on 131 881 or check the details of your nearest DIMA business centre at www.immi.gov.au/contacts/australia/business-centres/index.htm
Recruitment Expos
As well as regional events, DIMA will also hold a number of large expos in major capital cities.
