Employer-Sponsored Visas In Australia

Australian Employer-Sponsored visas offer a path for skilled professionals and tradespeople with job offers to live and work in Australia with business support. Businesses can sponsor overseas workers for needed roles, potentially leading to permanent residency. Understanding the rules for applicants and sponsors is key. This guide from Nia Migration covers visa paths, rules, the three-step application, costs, and life in Australia under these visas.

What are Australian Employer-Sponsored Visas? Connecting Talent with Business Needs

The main goal of Employer Sponsored visas is for eligible Australian businesses to hire and sponsor skilled workers from overseas when they can't find skilled Australian citizens or permanent residents for the job. These visas help companies to fill specific job gaps and keep running smoothly.

Who are these visas for?

Skilled people with a formal job offer from an eligible Australian business for a job matching their skills are listed on a relevant skilled job list.

Basic Outcome:

The result depends on the specific visa:

• The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) is temporary, usually 2 or 4 years. It can sometimes lead to permanent residency later.
• The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) is permanent. It lets you live and work in Australia forever.
• The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) is provisional for 5 years. It requires you to live and work for your sponsoring employer in a designated regional area. If you meet certain rules (like income and living/working regionally), you have a clear path to permanent residency after three years.

Purpose:

These visas help Australian businesses fill specific skills and staff needs not met by the local workforce, ensuring companies can run well, grow, and support the Australian economy.

Employer-sponsored visas use different types and streams:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482): The main temporary visa. It has short-term, medium-term, and labour agreement streams.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Subclass 186): A permanent visa. Has Temporary Residence Transition (for sure 457/482 holders), Direct Entry (for those nominated directly), and Labour Agreement streams.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494): A provisional visa for regional areas. Has Employer Sponsored and Labour Agreement streams.

Are YOU Eligible? Requirements for the Skilled Worker (Applicant)

As a skilled worker, you must meet specific rules to get an Employer Sponsored visa, even with a supportive employer. Rules vary by visa type and stream.

Genuine Job Offer:

You must have a real job offer from an Australian business that's an approved sponsor or be applying to be one.

Nominated Occupation:

The job offered must be a skilled job on the relevant list for the visa type/stream you're applying for.

Skills, Qualifications, Experience:

You must have the skills, qualifications, and experience needed for the job. Your expertise will be checked against Australian standards for that job.

Skills Assessment:

Depending on your job and visa type/stream, you might need a formal skills assessment from an official Australian assessing body. It's not always required for 482, but is for many jobs and the 186 Direct Entry stream. A positive evaluation confirms that your skills meet Australian standards.

English Language:

You must show the required English level. Minimum scores vary by visa type/stream (permanent visas usually need higher English than temporary visas). Use approved tests like IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and CAE.

Age:

For the permanent 186 (Direct Entry & Transition) and provisional 494, you generally need to be under 45 when you apply. Age exceptions can apply in limited cases (high income for 186 Direct Entry, academics/scientists). No age limit for the temporary 482 visa.

Health and Character:

You and any family members on your application must meet Australia's health and character rules. This means medical exams and police certificates from any country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years since turning 16.

Your eligibility really depends on your specific skilled job, your skills/qualifications, and the exact Employer-Sponsored visa type/stream your employer is using. Professional advice is essential to check your eligibility and understand the specific rules.

What Does the Sponsoring Employer Need to Do? The Business's Responsibilities

The Australian employer has a crucial and active part in the process. They have significant requirements and ongoing duties.

Approved Sponsor:

The business must be, or apply to be, an approved sponsor. Usually, a Standard Business Sponsor for the 482 visa. They must meet specific nomination rules for 186 and 494. The business must be legally and actively operating in Australia.

Nominate the Position:

The employer must formally nominate the specific job offered to you. They must show the department that the job is real, full-time (or similar), and fits the business's size and nature.

Meet Salary Rules:

The job salary must match the 'annual market salary rate' for that job in its location. Also, the salary must meet or exceed the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). As of July 1, 2023, TSMIT is AUD 70,000 per year. This can change; check the official Department website for the current figure.

Labour Market Testing (LMT):

For the temporary 482 and some streams of the 186 and 494, the employer must show they genuinely tried to find a skilled Australian worker but couldn't. There are specific rules for advertising the job (where, for how long).

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy:

The employer must pay a levy to the SAF for each nomination. The amount is based on the business's yearly income and the visa length sought. This levy is an employer cost and cannot legally be charged to you.

Meet Nomination Requirements:

The employer must meet specific rules for the visa type and stream used for the nomination. This can include showing the business meets training requirements (for some 186 streams) or that the job is in a designated regional area (for the 494).

Ongoing Obligations:

Once approved and the visa is granted, sponsors have significant ongoing duties to the Department:

• Ensure the visa holder works in the nominated job and position.
• Pay the visa holder at least the nominated salary (and above TSMIT).
• Provide a safe workplace and job conditions that are as good as or better than those for Australian workers in similar jobs.
• Tell the department about specific changes, like the end of employment.
• Work with the Department checks.

The Application Process: A Coordinated Effort

Getting an Employer Sponsored visa usually involves multiple applications requiring close work between the employer and you.

Key Stages (Generally three parts):

1. Sponsorship Application (Employer): The business applies as an approved sponsor. Usually applying as a Standard Business Sponsor for the 482.
2. Nomination Application (Employer): The employer nominates the specific skilled job offered to you. This application includes job details, pay/conditions, LMT proof (if needed), and proof of SAF levy payment.
3. Visa Application (Applicant): You, the skilled worker, apply for the visa, giving detailed info about your skills, qualifications, experience, identity, health, character, and supporting documents.

Note: For the 482 visa, these three applications can usually be lodged simultaneously. For the 186 and 494, the employer usually lodges the Sponsorship and Nomination first, then you lodge your visa application.

Key Documents:

Applicant's Documents:

• Valid passport for everyone applying.
• Proof of your skills, qualifications, and experience matching the job (transcripts, certificates, contracts, payslips, references).
• Positive skills assessment (if needed for your job/stream).
• English test results.
• Health exam results for all.
• Police certificates from all required countries for ages 16+.
• Documents for family (identity, marriage/birth certificates).

Employer's Documents:

• Prove the business is operating legally and financially sound.
• Detailed info about the nominated job and proof that it's real and fits the business.
• Proof of Labour Market Testing (if needed), including advertising details.
• Proof of SAF levy payment.
• Formal written job offer to you.
• Evidence for the salary offered (e.g., market research, agreements).
• Documents for meeting specific nomination rules (e.g., training proof for some 186 streams).

Important Document Tips:

• Provide Proof: Give clear, checkable evidence for everything claimed in all three application parts.
• Accuracy/Consistency: All info from the employer and you must be accurate, truthful, and match across all parts.
• Translations: Non-English documents need an accredited English translation.

After Lodging:

• Employer gets acknowledgment for Sponsorship/Nomination. You get acknowledgment for the Visa application.
• All parties can usually check their status online via ImmiAccount.
• The Department checks all three parts (at once for 482, one after another for 186/494) and may ask for more info from either the employer or you.
• The department might visit the employer's business and interview the employer or you to check information and the genuineness of the job.

Employer-sponsored visa processing times differ greatly depending on the visa type/stream, industry, application completeness, and Department resources, potentially taking months or exceeding a year. As of May 2025, 90% of applications are processed between a few months (some subclass 482) and over a year (some subclass 186/494). Be prepared for extended processing.

Understanding the Costs

Employer-sponsored visas have several hefty government fees. Some are for the employer, some for you, but know all potential costs.

Sponsorship Application Fee:

(Usually paid by employer). For the business to become an approved sponsor.

Nomination Application Fee:

(Usually paid by employer). For the employer to nominate a job.

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy:

(Paid by employer). Mandatory payment by the employer for each nomination. The amount depends on business size and visa length. Employers cannot legally make you pay this.

Visa Application Charges (VAC):

Paid to the Department when you apply for the visa. VAC for these visas is high and varies significantly by visa type (482, 186, 494) and stream. You pay this, but sometimes employers cover it as part of the job deal.

Other Potential Costs:

• Skills Assessment Fees: (If needed, you usually pay it.) Paid to the assessing body.
• English Test Fees: (You usually pay them.)
• Health Exam Fees: (You usually pay them.)
• Police Certificate Fees: The Cost to get certificates.
• Document Translation Costs: (If needed).
• Biometrics Fees: (If needed).
• Registered Migration Agent Fees: See our pricing page for Nia Migration's fees.

Government fees can change. Check official websites (Department, assessing body) for the latest fees. Know which fees the employer must legally pay (SAF levy).

Your Life in Australia on an Employer-Sponsored Visa: Work, Live, and Settle

Living in Australia on an Employer-Sponsored visa means your initial time here is linked to your employer and job. Your rights and rules depend on whether you get a temporary, provisional, or permanent visa.

Entitlements (Vary by Visa):

• Live, Work, Study:
  • Temporary (482): You live here and work for your sponsor in your job for the duration of your visa (2 or 4 years). You can usually study, but it's not your main goal.
  • Provisional (494): Live, work, study, but usually only in a designated regional area for your sponsor in your job. This is a 5-year visa.
  • Permanent (186): Full rights of a permanent resident. Live, work, study anywhere in Australia without limits. While granted for a job offer, you're not tied to that employer forever.
• Family: This can usually include a partner and dependent kids. If they get the visa, they usually have the same rights as you for living, working, and studying, depending on your visa type.
• Healthcare:
  • Permanent (186) & Provisional (494): Generally eligible for Medicare (public healthcare).
  • Temporary (482): Usually not eligible for Medicare unless your country has a reciprocal agreement. Need private health insurance.
• Travel:
  • Permanent (186): Initial 5-year international travel.
  • Provisional (494) & Temporary (482): Multiple entries within visa validity.

Conditions (Vary a Lot by Visa):

You must strictly follow all conditions on your visa grant notice. Breaking the rules can cancel your visa. Key ones:

• Working for Sponsor: For Temporary (482) and Provisional (494), you must work for your sponsor in your job. Can't change employers or jobs without a new nomination and possibly a new visa. For 186 Direct Entry, you may need to work for the nominating employer for a set time.
• Regional Residence (for 494): Must live, work, and study only in a designated regional area. This is required for the whole 5 years and is needed to apply for the permanent 191 visa later.
• Health Insurance (for 482): Unless eligible for Medicare, you must keep private health insurance for the whole of your stay on a 482 visa.
• Australian Laws: Must always follow all Australian laws.

Things to Watch Out For

Employer-sponsored visas can be complex. Issues can cause delays, problems, or visa refusal/cancellation.

Sponsorship or Nomination Refusal:

If the employer can't meet sponsorship or nomination rules, the visa won't be granted or will be refused. Problems with the business's money, not doing LMT (if needed), or doubts about the job being real are common reasons for employer-side refusals.

Applicant Not Meeting Rules:

Even with a valid sponsorship/nomination, you must meet your own rules (skills, English, age, health, character). Failure to do so will result in visa refusal.

Genuine Position / Market Salary Issues:

The Department checks whether the job is needed and whether the salary meets the market rate and TSMIT. If not convinced, the nomination can be refused.

Labour Market Testing (LMT) Issues:

The employer must follow strict advertising rules where LMT is needed. Failure to do so can result in nomination refusal.

Employment Ending:

If your job with the sponsor ends while on a temporary (482) or provisional (494) visa, it impacts your visa. For 482 holders, they usually have 60 days to find a new sponsor and get a new nomination, or risk visa cancellation. Similar rules for 494.

Employer Not Meeting Obligations:

If your sponsor fails to meet its obligations (like not paying correctly or not providing a safe workplace), the employer can face trouble, and it might also affect your visa status.

Not Meeting Visa Conditions:

Not following your visa rules after getting it (like only working for a sponsor, living regionally for 494, or keeping health insurance for 482) can cancel your visa.

Employer-sponsored visas require ongoing rule-following from both the employer and the visa holder. Get advice immediately if your job situation changes or you're unsure about visa rules.

Making Your Application Stronger: Tips

Making your Employer-sponsored visa application strong requires careful, shared effort from you and your employer.

Ensure Employer Suitability:

Work closely with your employer to ensure they fully understand and meet all rules to be a sponsor and nominate the job correctly. This includes money checks, LMT (if needed), SAF payment, and other nomination rules.

Clearly Prove the Genuine Position:

The employer should prove that the job is a real need in the business and that the pay/conditions match Australian standards and market rates.

Show You're Right for the Job:

Give proof that your skills, qualifications, and experience match the job rules and Australian standards. Get a skills assessment if required or if it helps your case.

Address LMT Thoroughly (if needed):

The employer must perform LMT according to strict rules and keep records of advertising and results. Correct LMT is essential where needed.

Address Health and Character Early:

Do required health exams and get police certificates early. If potential character issues exist, get professional advice on how to explain them openly in your application.

Provide Clear, Consistent Documents:

Make sure all documents from both the employer and you are accurate, match all parts, and are well-organised. Every claim in the Sponsorship, Nomination, and Visa applications needs supporting documents.

A strong Employer-Sponsored visa application relies on the employer and applicant being eligible and following rules, clearly showing that the job is real and that you are suitable for it, with comprehensive, accurate documents.

Ready to Connect with Opportunity in Australia? How Nia Migration Can Help You:

Australian Employer-Sponsored visas are complex. They require a detailed understanding of the rules for both the business and the worker, and the management of a three-part application (Sponsorship, Nomination, Visa) that requires close work.

Expert help from a Registered Migration Agent like Niloo Nia at Nia Migration is incredibly valuable for employers and skilled applicants. We can check eligibility for both sides, guide employers through sponsorship/nomination, help applicants meet rules and prepare documents, manage the whole process, and give advice on compliance and permanent residency paths.

Our services include:

• This is a detailed eligibility check for businesses (as sponsors) and skilled workers based on the Employer-Sponsored visas (482, 186, 494).
• Guiding employers on becoming approved sponsors and lodging strong nomination applications, including LMT strategy and rules.
• Helping employers understand and meet their ongoing sponsorship duties.
• Checking applicant skills, qualifications, and experience against the job rules and skills assessment criteria.
• Advising skilled workers on required documents, including detailed help with skills, qualifications, experience, and English proficiency.
• Helping both parties prepare and lodge all parts of the online application accurately.
• Guiding both employers and applicants through health and character rules.
• Giving clear advice on visa conditions and ongoing compliance for both.
• Helping if employment ends or other complex issues come up.
• Giving guidance on moving from temporary/provisional to permanent residency paths.

We help businesses find skilled staff and skilled individuals reach their goal of working/living in Australia through Employer Sponsored visas. We handle this complex process confidently, linking opportunity with expertise.

Contact Nia Migration today to discuss your Australian Employer Sponsored visa needs, whether you're a business sponsor or a skilled worker with a job offer. We're here to help you every step of the way.

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I'm here to support you as you prepare to start your new life in Australia. Contact me today to discuss your needs and how I can help you.

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+61 415 731 348 | Niloo@niamigration.com