Guides Booklet 5 >> go

RSMS Employers & Migrants

About the RSMS

The RSMS was created to help employers fill skilled, full-time positions available for a minimum of two years, using skilled people from overseas or temporary residents already in Australia.

For a position to be considered as skilled under RSMS it must be within the ASCO 1-4 range. Information about ASCO is available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: www.abs.gov.au

Who can you Nominate?
To be considered for nomination a migrant should:
- Be under 45 years of age
- Possess qualifications equivalent to at least Diploma level
- Have functional level English.

However if the migrant does not meet these requirements, consideration may be given to an exceptional appointment in any or all of these categories if you can demonstrate that the position can only be filled by that person.

How Do You Use The RSMS?

STEP 1: Finding a suitable employee
If you know of a temporary resident in Australia or someone overseas who has the necessary qualifications to fill your skilled vacancy and you have been unable to fill the skilled position form the local labour market you may consider nominating them to work in your business.

STEP 2: Lodging your nomination
You must lodge a nomination form with Immigration SA, the certifying body for South Australia, using the RSMS Form 1054.

When lodging your nomination, you should complete the RSMS Employer Information Application Checklist.

STEP 3: Immigration SA certifies your nomination
Once we receive Form 1054 and checklist information, we will notify you within 7 working days by email or post of our decision, which is based on being able to certify that the vacancy:
- Cannot be filled from the local labour market.
- Is available for 2 years (you must enter a two-year contract with the nominee).
- Requires relevant qualifications.
- Is in accordance with Australian standard award wages and conditions.

Refer to the RSMS Employer Information Application Checklist.

STEP 4: The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) processes visa
Following certification, the nomination is considered by DIAC, where the final decision is made on the nomination.

The visa application process for your nominee may take between 4 and 9 months, depending on whether they were already registered on the Skills Matching Database.

If your original nominee's visa application is refused, you may lodge a further application from a different nominee within 6 months of Immigration SA’s certification.

Using the Skills Matching Database
If you do not know of a suitable person, you can search the electronic Skills Matching Database (SMD) on DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au/skills/index.htm

The SMD contains details of potential migrants who have made an application for migration and have been assessed by DIAC as meeting the basic eligibility criteria.

Using the SMD is often faster as applicants have already completed much of the migration processing requirements.

Visa Cancellation Provisions
Cancellation provisions may apply for visas applied for and granted after 01 July 2001 in the following circumstances:

Where the visa was granted within Australia and the visa holder does not commence work with you within 6 months of the visa being granted.

Where the visa was granted outside of Australia and the visa holder does not commence work with you within 6 months of entering Australia.

If the employee does commence work, but the Minister is not satisfied that they have made a genuine effort to complete the period of employment provided for under the required 2 year contract.

Contact us
For initial queries about RSMS Certification and Immigration SA please contact us.

Program Support Officer, Regional Migration
Immigration South Australia

GPO Box 1264
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Telephone: +61 8 8204 9250
Facsimile:  +61 8 8204 9244
Email: immigration.sa@state.sa.gov.au
Hours: 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday
(excluding public holidays)