Regional Development Australia (RDA)-Riverina invites skilled migrants to enjoy the lifestyle of regional Australia by applying for sponsorship to live and work in the Riverina region under the individual Skilled - Regional (Provisional) Sponsored Visa Scheme (SRS) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) which enables regional employers to sponsor skilled migrants for skilled positions which cannot be filled using the local labour market.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) - Riverina is authorized by the State Government to provide sponsorship to applicants under the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Sponsored Visa category introduced by the Australian Government on 1 July 2004. The SRS visa allows skilled migrants to live and work in regional Australia with the option to apply for permanent residence after living for 2 years and working 12 months full time inclusive.

RDA-Riverina was authorized as a gazetted Regional Certifying Body (RCB) as of November 2009, appointed by the Minister for Immigration for the purposes of the Migration Act. Prior to this the Riverina Regional Development Board was the Regional Certifying Body. RDA-Riverina provides certification of applications in accordance with the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) that provides permanent residency in Australia which enables skilled migrants to work for a regional employer for a minimum of 2 years and enjoy the lifestyle of regional Australia.

For a list of occupations in demand in the Riverina go to the following website:

http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/migration/skilled_migration.asp

RDA-Riverina provides these services through its Skilled Migration Officer and an administration fee ($330incl GST) applies for processing applications. Note processing of applications by RDA-Riverina can take up to 3 weeks, so applicants need to consider this when submitting their application.

RDA-Riverina is unable to provide advice on general migration matters outside of the scope of the relevant schemes noted above that are specifically directed at attracting Skilled Migrants to regional Australia.

Extensive advice can be obtained from the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) website: www.immi.gov.au

For further information about the Riverina, visit www.visitriverina.com.au

Appicants must submit an Expression of Interest:

RDA-Riverina requires potential applicants to first submit an ‘expression of interest’ in writing to migration@rdariverina.org.au . Please include your nominated occupation and outline the skills acquired, English language ability. This can be provided by attaching your resume/CV, Skill Assessment and IELTS Reports.

All Skilled Migration enquiries for the Riverina should be directed to:

Ms Faye Anderson

Skilled Migration Officer

Regional Development Australia-Riverina

PO Box 479

Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

Ph: 02 6921 1007

+61 2 6921 1007 (outside Australia)

Fax: 02 6921 4679

Email: migration@rdariverina.org.au