RSMS Religious Workers
This document provides information for employers using the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), who want to nominate a person to fill a religious position.
Some religious positions do not require you to show that you have conducted labour market testing for the position. You can use the modified RSMS application checklist below when completing your application.
What is a Religious Organisation?
Under policy, nominating organisations are regarded as a religious organisation only if they:
- Are eligible for income tax exemption.
- Meet/act together for religious purposes.
- Have established churches or other regular meeting places.
- Partake in pastoral duties, missionary work or similar activity.
What Positions are Included?
Positions that are primarily religious in nature include:
- Deacons
- Imams
- Minister of Religion
- Monks
- Nuns
- Pastors
- Priests
- Rabbis
- Salvation Army Officers
These positions are not subject to the standard labour market testing.
For other positions within religious organisations (such as administrators, nurses, teachers, welfare workers), you will need to show standard labour market testing. Refer to the generic RSMS application checklist for more detail.
Checklist for Application
If you are nominating a person to fill a religious position (listed above) you should use the checklist below. Immigration SA must receive the documents and information listed.
(Please tick when complete)
- Form 1054
Complete all questions on Form 1054 under Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).
- Letter of support
Provide a letter of support from the senior authority of the religious organisation in the State/Territory of intended employment (an organisation chart may assist).
- Evidence of income tax exemption
Evidence that the organisation is a religious organisation (eligible for exemption from income tax under paragraph 23(e) of the income Tax Assessment Act 1936). The Australian Taxation Office does not provide "certificates of exemption status" for religious organisations, however these organisations may seek a private ruling on their taxation status, which suffices for your nomination.
- Information about the organisation
Provide details of the organisation including the need to recruit a person from overseas and the efforts made to obtain a person from within South Australia.
- Job description
Provide details of the duties and description of the position.
- Contract of employment
Under the RSMS, the position is required to be a genuine full time (35 hours per week or more) position available for a minimum of two years. Please provide a copy of either the contract of employment or letter of employment showing the arrangement to support the nominee.
- Lodgement
Once all the above requirements have been addressed, please send the original plus two photocopies of the completed Form 1054 and any supporting documentation to the address below
Please DO NOT bind or enclose the information in single plastic sleeves. Standard A4 paper size is desirable.
Contact Us
Senior Manager, Regional Migration
Immigration South Australia
GPO Box 1264
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Telephone: +61 8 8204 9250
Facsimile: +61 8 8204 9244
E-mail: immigration.sa@state.sa.gov.au
Hours: 9am-5pm Monday -Friday
(excluding public holidays) |
