What We Do — Our Function as RCB

Regional Development Australia Hunter has been gazetted by the Federal Department of Home Affairs as a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) for the Hunter region.

We provide independent, expert advice to Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) on employer-nominated positions under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494). Specifically, we assess whether the nominated position meets the requirements for regional skilled migration: that it is genuine, full-time, ongoing (or likely to be) and cannot be filled locally. We assess whether the proposed salary meets or exceeds the required local standard, i.e., the “Annual Market Salary Rate” (AMSR) for that occupation in the region as well as the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).

Our advice helps ensure that migration via the 494 visa supports genuine regional labour needs, fair employment conditions, and compliance with Australian immigration and workplace-law standards.

What We Assess — AMSR

If the nominee will be paid an annual salary of less than $250,000, they must be paid at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the nominated position. The AMSR is the rate an Australian worker would usually be paid to do the same job, in the same location. It’s used to make sure overseas workers are paid fairly and not paid less than Australians doing similar work.

The salary must also at least meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). For nominations lodged on and between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026 the TSMIT is $76,515.

When reviewing an application, we focus on whether the proposed salary and conditions meet or exceed the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for that occupation in the region. This includes base pay, any allowances, overtime, and relevant penalty rates (where applicable). This requires:

• Assessing evidence as to how the employer determined the AMSR
• Reviewing evidence that the nominee will not be paid less than this amount
• Assessing whether the AMSR is no less than the current TSMIT

What We Don’t Do (And What We Can’t Guarantee)

We do not make decisions on visa outcomes, and our advice does not guarantee visa approval.

We do not assess the visa applicant’s personal eligibility (e.g. skills assessment, English, health, character), Home Affairs handles that.

We do not provide legal, immigration-agent, or migration-advice services beyond regional certification. We only process applications for RCB Advice.

Important: We provide advice only. We do not, and cannot, grant visas or guarantee visa approval. Final decisions always rest with Home Affairs.