Employer sponsorship requirements

Employers can sponsor someone to come to Australia permanently or temporarily to fill a nominated skilled role.

Here is a simple 7-step guide giving a general overview of how to sponsor an overseas worker.

Temporary Skill shortage visa (Subclass 482)

  • Three streams

    • Medium-term stream

    • Short-term stream

    • Labour agreement stream

*each stream has different eligible occupations which can be sponsored

  • No age requirements

  • 1-4 years in length

  • Workers can only work for the employer or an associated entity unless exempt from this requirement

  • Workers must work only in the nominated occupation

  • Cannot change the occupation without a new nomination

  • Worker must have the skills to perform the nominated occupation

  • Worker must have 2 years of work experience in the occupation or a related field

employer nomination scheme (Subclass 186)

  • Three streams

    • Direct Entry

    • Temporary Residence Transition (worker must have been working on a 482 visa for at least 3 of the 4 years with the employer sponsor before nominating under this stream)

    • Labour Agreement

*each stream has different eligible occupations which can be sponsored

  • Must be under 45 unless exempt

  • Permanent visa

  • Can work in metro or regional areas

  • The employment will be for at least 2 years after visa grant

  • Direct Entry stream applicants require a skills assessment (unless exempt)

  • Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required

Skilled employer sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494)

  • Two streams

    • Employer Sponsored

    • Labour Agreement

  • Must be under 45 unless exempt

  • 5 years in length

  • Work must be in a designated regional area

  • The employment will be for at least 5 years after visa grant

  • Employer Sponsored stream applicants require a skills assessment (unless exempt)

  • Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required