Regional Certifying Body
ADVICE FROM DIAC - 01 JULY 2010
Building your Business
A number of changes occurred on 1 July with some of those changes impacting on the RSMS program (857/119). These changes include moving from ASCO to ANZSCO codes and a new 1054 Form (Employer Nomination under RSMS).
Guidelines relating to these changes are still being finalised and are not available at time time. In the interim, the below links provide important information on the transition from ASCO to ANZSCO and new 1054 Form.
The role of a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) is to act as a source of assistance for employers to sponsor permanent or temporary skilled workers under 457 visas or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).
Through knowledge of the local labour market, Regional Certifying Bodies (RCBs) certify a nomination before it is submitted to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for approval.
Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited (GAPDL) is gazetted as a Regional Certifying Body in the Gladstone Region.
The Temporary Business (Long Stay) subclass 457 visa allows approved Australian or overseas businesses to sponsor overseas employees to come to Australia on a temporary basis for up to four years, to fill skilled positions that meet minimum skill and salary levels while the RSMS is designed to help employers in regional or low population growth areas of Australia fill skilled vacancies that they have been unable to fill through the local labour market.
Important information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
It is a requirement by law that people providing assistance with visa applications and some other immigrations matters should be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). This registration requirement provides some protection to consumers who might otherwise be vulnerable to exploitation, and helps ensure that people working as migration agents are aware of relevant legistation and procedures and provide correct advice to clients.
In an effort to help people identify unregistered migrations agents who might take advantage of them, we have developed the following products.
1. YouTube Video - Dont get caught out!
2. Printable Flyer - Using a Migrations Agent in Australia.
Download the flyer
Did you know it is illegal for anyone to give immigration assistance without being a registered migration agent? Unregistered people who give immigration assistance (even without charging a fee) are breaking the law and penalties of up to 10years jail can apply!
The reason it is illegal is to protect unsuspecting people from being given incorrect advice or losing their money to unscrupulous operators posing as migration advice professionals.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is committed to discouraging the use of unregistered agents. The sentencing last year of an unregistered agent serves as a warning to illegal operators that the risks are high and they will be caught. This man received a sentence of two years jail for falsely taking money to represent people in migration matters when he was not a registered agent.
Over the last few years Auystralia has been welcoming record numbers of people to Australia to live, visit, study or work. Our immigration programs are among the best in the world, however the requirements for visas are very strict and the rules can be complex.
It is understandable tha tpeople may sometimes feel the need to use a migration agent to assist them but they must be careful not to be taken afvantage of. If people use a migration agent, make sure they are registered.
Remeber that anyone can apply for their own Australia Visa and a migration agents cannot influence the outcome of an application. However, if you don't feel confident or if your case is complex, you may wish to get help from a registered migration agent. Before choosing one, do your research. The strongest protection you have as a consumer is choosing carefully from the large number if registered agents.
In choosing a Migration Agent:
Also ask the agent questions such as:
If you have any problems with your registered migration agent, you can make a complaint to the Office of MARA. For serious offences, the Office can take away their registration.
If you need proof of the dangers, make sure you watch the above video!
For further enquiries, please contact Julie Streatfield on 02 6264 4846 or via email at julie.streatfield@immi.gov.au
Hear from an unsuspecting visa applicant who used an unregistered agent, lost all her money and still ended up without her visa.
Don't be tempted to use unregistered migration agents
+61 07 4972 4000
