Regional Employer Sponsored Visa
Live and work in regional Australia, sponsored by an employer, with a path to PR.
Overview
A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in a designated regional area — which covers most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For the standard Employer Sponsored stream, a Regional Certifying Body assesses whether the offered salary matches the Annual Market Salary Rate, on top of the government's income threshold. After three years of meeting income and residence conditions, holders can move to permanent residency via Subclass 191.
Who it's for
- Skilled workers with a genuine job offer from a regional employer
- Roles a regional employer genuinely can't fill with a local worker
Key requirements
- Nomination from an approved regional employer, backed by Labour Market Testing
- Occupation on the relevant regional occupation list
- A positive skills assessment (occupation-dependent)
- Salary at or above the TSMIT ($79,423) or the Annual Market Salary Rate for the role, whichever is higher
- Competent English, with some exemptions available
"Regional" for this visa is broader than many people expect — it covers everywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Both the visa fee ($6,140, up from $4,910) and the salary threshold ($79,423, up from $76,515) increased on 1 July 2026, so the timing of your employer's nomination can genuinely matter.
Non-monetary benefits — accommodation, a car, and similar — don't count toward the salary threshold. They have to be provided in addition to a wage that already clears the TSMIT on its own.
Not sure if this is the right visa for you?
Tell us your situation and we'll confirm whether the Regional Employer Sponsored Visa fits, or point you to the one that does.
Book a free visa assessmentVisa subclasses, eligibility criteria, streams, salary thresholds and fees are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and change periodically, often each 1 July. The figures above reflect published guidance as of August 2026 — your Rigpa House adviser will confirm current figures and eligibility before you apply.