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Request an assessment by Geelong Regional Certifying Body (RCB)

Steps and payment information when requesting an assessment by Geelong Regional Certifying Body of a of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) employer nomination.
 

The Geelong RCB are currently facilitating assessments for the Gippsland RCB region which includes eligible postcodes in outer east Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula Shire. 

Employers located in the Gippsland RCB region:

Please follow Geelong RCB procedures (EXCLUDING PAYMENT) and include Request for Assessment by Gippsland RCB in email subject line. 

Once processed, your application will be forwarded to the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions - Gippsland for assessment and payment instructions.  Please check here for any updates before submitting an application.

The Geelong RCB uses its knowledge of the local labour market, its own research and considers the evidence provided by employers in providing advice to the Department of Home Affairs regarding the nominated position.

Before submitting a request for assessment, please take your time to read all of the following requirements, including the information provided in the blue hyperlinks.

Requirements

Provide a completed Form 596 (if applicable)

Including information on previous RCB applications.

Provide:

  • Australian Business Number (ABN) Certificate
    You may also wish to include (as applicable):
    • ASIC certificate of company registration
    • Certificate of Registration of Business name
  • a detailed organisation chart
  • a cover letter outlining your business case for the need for an employer sponsored visa written and signed by employer.

We must be satisfied that the business is operating in and the nominated position is located in a designated regional area postcode.

Provide:

Including the nominated salary (salary excluding superannuation) and ANZSCO classification for the nominated position.

We must be satisfied the nominee would be paid at least the annual market salary rate for the occupation.

Provide:

  • position description
  • published copies of relevant job advertisements - this will assist us in understanding the position
  • employment contract signed and dated by both parties - you may also wish to include a letter of offer or contract amendment

You must demonstrate the current Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the nominated occupation – that is what an equivalent Australian worker does earn or would earn working in the same occupation in the same location.

Provde:

  • evidence demonstrating annual market salary rate
  • a statement outlining how the nominated salary was determined - provide a statement detailing how the included evidence was used to determine the nominated salary in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the nominated role and in consideration of the nominee's qualifications skills and experience.

Additional requirements for an assessment of RSMS 197 Direct Entry nominations lodged with the Department of Home affairs before November 2019.

We must be satisfied that:

  • there is a genuine need for the nominated position within the business and
  • a skill vacancy exists that cannot be filled by an Australian Citizen or an Australian permanent resident who is living in or would move to the applicable regional area.

Provide:

The nominee's details must match the information on their passport.

If applicable include the date the nominee commenced working in the business.
 

Provide:

  • nominee's resume detailing relevant training qualifications and experience.

Consideration will be given to any other relevant material submitted with the application. You may wish to include:

  • copy of lodged or draft application with the Department of Home Affairs
  • letter of support from the accountant of your business.
Payment to be made online by credit or debit card (VISA or Mastercard) 
Provide: a copy of the tax invoice email receipt you receive after completing payment.

Common questions

View answers to common questions regarding an assessment by the Geelong RCB including what information and evidence to provide.

Application form and checklist

Please ensure you download and submit the current application form.

 

Geelong RCB Application form and checklist

Payment

The Geelong RCB Request for Assessment fee of $550 plus GST must be paid before an application will be processed.
NOTE: the Assessment fee will increase to $650 plus GST from July 1, 2026.

  • Payment can be made online by credit or debit card* (VISA or Mastercard)
  • A copy of the tax invoice email receipt you receive after completing payment must be included with you application.

 

Pay for a Geelong Regional Certifying Body Assessment

Lodge a request for assessment

Upon completion of all of the checklist requirements lodge documents by: 
 

Email to: [email protected]

  • Please provided complete application in a single email
  • Attach Application Form payment receipt and Form 956 seperately.
  • Provide supporting evidence as original documents (that is: not embedded in another document)
  • Please put for Gippsland RCB in subject line if applicable.
  • When your application email reaches the RCB inbox you will receive an autoreply which serves as a lodgement receipt.
  • Contact us by email you are experiencing any difficulties submitting your request for assessment.

Please note:

  • Ensure you submit the latest Geelong RCB Application Form and Checklist
  • You must provide evidence to support all claims made in your application.
  • The onus is on the business to provide sufficient information and evidence for the Geelong RCB to assess the employer’s nomination.
  • It is at the employers (or their agents) discretion to provide as much information and evidence they believe necessary for an assessment of their nomination.
  • The Geelong RCB may at its discretion ask you to provide more information to assist in the assessment process.
  • Please do not provide us with personal documents about the Nominee that are not related to the nominated position this information is not relevant to this assessment process.

Other information

  • Overseas migration should only be considered as a last resort and when all other options to attract Australian workers have been exhausted.
  • A Regional Certifying Body is obliged to provide their assessment advice within 28 days of receiving a request for assessment of a 494 SESR and within three months for the RSMS 
    (Exceptions include: awaiting provision of additional information and excessive caseload. The Geelong RCB will notify the Employer Sponsored Program Management on these occurrences).
  • Processing times for the Geelong RCB are dependent on caseload - applications are processed in order of receipt. 494 applicants should allow for 28 days.
  • Regional Certifying Body Advice is valid for 3 months from the date of the completed Form 1404.
  • If the RCB is not satisfied and advises the Department of Home Affairs and the employer to this effect the RCB is under no obligation and will not enter in to any correspondence or have any contact with the nominating organisation or their representative regarding the assessment.
  • If you resubmit a RCB Request for Assessment there will be another assessment charge of $550 inclusive of GST.

  • If the applicant’s current visa is due to expire within the processing time please contact The Department of Home Affairs or a Migration Agent for advice.

If you have read all of the available information and have a specific question please email [email protected] with your inquiry.

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