What is an RCB Certificate for subclass 494 visa?

As described in the subclass 494 visa introduction, subclass 494 visa is the provisional stage of the permanent visa subclass 192 for applicants.

To nominate a skilled position for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa subclass 494 with the Department of Home Affairs, the employer and the nominated position must be assessed by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) in a State or Territory.

Regional certifying bodies (RCBs) consist of Australian State and Territory Government agencies, local chambers of commerce, local government councils and regional development bodies. These organizations provide advice to the Department of Home Affairs on whether the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 494 (SESR) nomination applications meet certain requirements.

The RCB only assesses the business and the position being nominated. It does not assess individuals who will be nominated and appointed to the position.

Each State or Territory in Australia has their own regional certifying bodies responsible for their regions. The responsible bodies may have different names. For example, in Western Australian, the Department of Training and Workforce Development, through WA Migration Services↗, is the RCB for all Western Australian, excluding the Goldfields-Esperance region. This included the following regions:

• Cocos and Christmas Islands
• Gascoyne
• Great Southern
• Kimberley
• Mid West
• Peel
• Perth
• Pilbara
• South West
• Wheatbelt

In the State of South Australia, the responsible RCB is the Skilled and Business Migration↗.

For all the regional certifying bodies throughout the whole Australia, you may visit the website of the Department of Home Affairs here↗. 

What are the Requirements for an RCB?

Although requirements of different RCBs for assessment may defer, the following are the basic documentary requirements when an employer or agent is ready to lodge an application.

• The annual market salary rate (AMSR) for the nominated position should be the same as local Australian citizen or PR workers. The guaranteed earnings must be at least as much as the current Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) A$53,900.
• The nominated occupation should be listed on the medium and long-term strategic skills list of regional occupation list for subclass 494.
• Provide the required documents as requested by each State or Territory RCB.
• Fill the Form 1404 from the Department of Home Affairs.
• Lodge the online application and pay the application fee.

The approval of a position nominated by a business from an RCB does not necessarily mean the position nomination and visa applications to the Department of Home Affairs will be approved. The Department will make the assessment independently from an RCB.

However nominators/employers are reminded that without the approval of an RCB, the nomination won’t be approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

Contact Korrylink for more information about the RCB Certificate if you have any more queries.