Contact Us

Commerce North West

ABN: 20679295842

Phone: 07 4743 9881

Fax: 07 4743 7266

Address: 22 West Street, Mount Isa

Mailing Address: PO BOX 1705, Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia, 4825

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Regional Certifying Body

The Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce is an official Regional Certifying Body (RCB) under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) for the North West region.

These schemes are designed to help employers in regional or low growth areas of Australia fill skilled vacancies that they have been unable to fill through the local labour market by sponsoring skilled employees from overseas.

Both the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) has e a three stage process that may include certification by an RCB such as the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce. Our role is to ensure:

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS):

• That unless the position is "exceptional" the position nominated requires the appointment of a person who has qualifications equivalent to at least Australian diploma level. (under policy, trade certificates are considered to be the diploma level or higher).
• The position is available for at least two years.
• The employer is aware that a contract or letter of employment between the employer and the nominee will need to be sighted by the department before the nominee's visa can be granted.
• There is a need for a paid employee in the business that is actively and lawfully operating in Regional Australi by the nominating employer.
• The position is a genuine full time position.

For more information regarding the skilled migration schemes please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.

Process for Certification by Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce

The following information is sent to Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce (Checklist Here)

• Form 1404. Forms are available on the DIAC website.
• Position description.
• Employment contract or letter of appointment (including the applicable award).
• Evidence of attempts to recruit locally (e.g. newspaper ads).
• CV/resume of nominee, if known (the position can be certified if the nominee/visa applicant is not known).
• Salary rates of similarly qualified Australian employees currently employed or evidence of market salary (Form Attached).

A processing fee of $500 plus GST (total $550 non-refundable) is required at this stage. Payment can be made by cheque when submitting documentation or by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce then processes and certifies or rejects the application.

The application is returned to the employer. The application, along with any other required documentation is then forwarded to DIAC for consideration with the new online system effective July 1, 2012.

Please note that certification of a nomination by the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce does not guarantee that it will be approved by DIAC.

Skills Matching Database:

The Skills Matching Database is a practical tool to link migrants with specific skilled vacancies or skill shortages in regional Australia. Applicants on the database are skilled, under 45 years of age and have good English language skills. An abridged version of the database, which does not contain applicant's personal details, is available on the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au/skills/index.htm

For further information on Sponsored Employment visit the DIAC website www.immi.gov.au or Contact Commerce North West.

Industry and Business

Mount Isa came to existence because of the discovery of a large mineral deposit over 90 years ago and even today; mining and supporting industries are the cornerstone of our strong economy. Other major components of the Mount Isa economy include mineral processing, tourism and agriculture.

Mount Isa is the largest city in North West Queensland servicing a region comparable in size to Victoria; making us the mining, industrial and commercial capital of North West Queensland. Mount Isa is also the region's main service centre for health, public administration and community services.

Mount Isa has a strong and diverse economy and presents an excellent opportunity for personal and business development. Recently released Census statistics identified the region to have a lower than average unemployment rate and residents to have a higher than average median weekly income in comparison to those recorded for both Queensland and Australia.

A key asset in Glencore's global mining portfolio, Mount Isa Mines operates two separate mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources that have enduring roles in our society.

Mount Isa Mines' world-class resource base includes about 124.5 million tonnes of zinc and 357 million tonnes of copper (measured, indicated and inferred). Its operations comprise two underground copper mines, an underground zinc mine and two open cut zinc mines, a copper concentrator and smelter, as well as a zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and zinc-lead filter plant. These assets represent the world's largest zinc resource base, the biggest network of underground mine development in the world and Australia's largest industrial complex.

As well as the Australian market, Mount Isa Mines' products are exported to countries throughout Asia, Europe and the UK, contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy every year. The company provides work for more than 5,000 employees and contractors and is dedicated to supporting local people, local businesses, and creating strong links between its operations and the city of Mount Isa. Mount Isa Mines does this through generous contributions to local health, education, cultural and capacity building initiatives and the funding of vital public services and infrastructure development projects. Since 1924, Mount Isa Mines has been at the heart of life in 'the Isa'. For more information, visit www.mountisamines.com.au.

In addition to Mount Isa Mines, Glencore also operates Ernest Henry Mining (EHM) near Cloncurry, Lady Loretta mine north of Mount Isa, and the Copper Refinery and Glencore Port Operations in Townsville.

The overall population growth and economic advancement of this unique community is additionally supported by smaller mining companies, a diverse service network, transport operations and retail industries.

The City's high level of disposable income has paved the way for many entrepreneurs who have taken advantage of the City's vast opportunities. Our success stories include small owner operator businesses growing to multi-million dollar franchises, with outlets across the nation. Mount Isa's business network has significantly progressed over the past few years. Supported by an active Chamber of Commerce and development bodies, business operators continue to develop acumen and expand markets.

 The City is home to many franchises such as:

• Autobarn
• Best and Less
• Bunnings
• Coles
• Domino's Pizza
• Donut King
• EB Games
• Harvey Norman
• Hungry Jacks
• Hertz Mount Isa
• K-Mart
• McDonalds
• Pizza Hut
• Reco
• Rockmans
• Supercheap Auto
• The Coffee Club
• Sports Power
• Subway
• TJM
• Zambreros

Many smaller locally-owned businesses are located in the rejuvenated Central Business District. The recent injection of private and public investment has developed what was once labelled as "just a mining town" into a thriving cosmopolitan city.