The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) is for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia.
Approval to Sponsor
You must be sponsored by an employer located in a designated regional area. Employers sponsoring on the Temporary Resident Transition stream need to meet the training benchmark requirement. The nomination must be approved by the relevant Regional Certifying Body.
Eligibility
You must meet the requirements around age, English skills and skill (work experience or qualification) in an occupation on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) (see FAQ for a copy of this list). The job must be full time, offered for at least two years and meet market salary rates.
The visa is a permanent resident visa. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a certain sort of bridging visa.