The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) is for employers in regional Australia, to fill skilled positions they are unable to fill from the local labour market.

Under the RSMS, employers are able to nominate staff from overseas or temporary residents currently in Australia to fill full-time, permanent vacancies.

This visa allows you and any dependent family members included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.

Australian permanent residents can:

• live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
• study in Australia at school or university
• receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
• be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
• sponsor people for permanent residence.

You can apply for the skilled migration visa onshore or off shore.

The validity period of the:

• nomination is 6 months;
• visa is permanent.

An eligible position must meet the following requirements.

• is located in a regional area
• cannot be filled by an Australian employee
• is a genuine full-time vacancy
• is available for at least 2 consecutive years
• requires a person with qualifications equivalent to at least Australian diploma level (unless exceptional circumstances apply).

For complete list of the 2008 School term dates, please, click here.