Employer Sponsored Visa in Australia: An Essential Guide

Employer-Sponsored Visas in Australia: Essential Guide

Employer sponsorship is one of the most common pathways for skilled overseas workers to work legally in Australia. Through employer-sponsored visas, Australian businesses can hire workers from overseas when they are unable to fill roles locally due to genuine skill shortages.

For skilled professionals, an employer-sponsored visa Australia pathway can provide temporary work rights, career development opportunities, and in some cases a potential pathway to permanent residency. Understanding how these visas work can help you plan your career, finances, and relocation more effectively.

In this guide, you’ll learn about employer-sponsored visas in Australia, including the main visa types (482, 186 and 494), eligibility requirements, how the sponsorship process works, expected costs, and practical tips on improving your chances of sponsorship. We’ll also cover general financial considerations when relocating and explain how Credit24 may support eligible visa holders with upfront expenses.

What is an employer-sponsored visa?

An employer-sponsored visa allows an overseas worker to live and work in Australia after being nominated by an approved Australian employer for a specific role. These visas are designed to help businesses address skill shortages where suitable local workers are not available.

Under an employer sponsorship arrangement:

• The employer must be an approved sponsor
• The role must be genuine and meet minimum salary and market rate requirements
• The worker must meet skill, experience, and English language requirements
• Both employer and employee must comply with ongoing legal obligations

Employer-sponsored visas can be temporary or permanent. Some temporary visas may offer a pathway to permanent residency if eligibility criteria are met over time.

Types of employer-sponsored visas in Australia

Australia offers several employer-sponsored visa options, each suited to different work arrangements and locations.

Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage visa and is one of the most commonly used work sponsorship visa Australia options.

Key features include:

• Temporary stay of up to 1–4 years depending on the stream
• Employment limited to the approved sponsor and nominated role
• A requirement to meet occupation, salary, and skills criteria
• In some cases, access to a future permanent residency pathway

This visa has several streams:

• Specialist Skills stream for highly skilled, high-income roles
• Core Skills stream for occupations on the Core Skilled Occupation List
• Labour Agreement stream for employers operating under a formal agreement

This option may suit professionals seeking Australian work experience while maintaining longer-term flexibility.

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is a permanent employer-sponsored visa Australia option.

It includes:

• Direct Entry stream for skilled workers applying from outside Australia or from eligible visas
• Temporary Residence Transition stream for certain 482 visa holders

Key characteristics include:

• Permanent residency status from grant
• No regional location requirement
• Ongoing work rights and access to Medicare

Applicants generally need relevant qualifications, work experience, and may require a skills assessment unless exemptions apply.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) is designed to support regional workforce needs.

Main features include:

• A visa duration of up to 5 years
• Employment in designated regional areas
• A broader occupation list compared to some permanent visas
• A potential pathway to permanent residency after meeting eligibility criteria

This visa may suit skilled workers who are open to regional living and employment.

Employer sponsorship visa requirements

Requirements for employers

Employers seeking to sponsor a worker are generally required to:

• Be an approved sponsor
• Operate a lawful and genuine business
• Demonstrate financial capacity
• Meet training and compliance obligations
• Nominate a genuine full-time position
• Pay the market salary rate and meet income thresholds
• Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy

Employers must also comply with workplace and migration laws and notify authorities of certain changes.

Requirements for workers

Workers applying for employer-sponsored visas typically must:

• Have skills and experience relevant to the nominated occupation
• Meet English language requirements
• Be within age limits where applicable (often under 45, with exemptions)
• Hold required qualifications or trade credentials
• Meet health and character requirements

Some visas require a formal skills assessment by an approved authority.

How to get employer sponsorship in Australia

Finding visa sponsorship jobs in Australia can be competitive, but preparation and strategy matter.

Where to find sponsorship jobs

Common sources include:

• Job boards such as SEEK, Indeed, and LinkedIn
• Roles stating “sponsorship available”
• Industry-specific recruitment agencies
• Employer career pages
• Professional networks and referrals

What employers look for

Employers often prioritise:

• Skills that are in short supply locally
• Relevant work experience
• Strong English communication skills
• Commitment to the role
• Willingness to relocate, particularly for regional positions

Tailoring your resume to Australian standards and clearly communicating work rights can improve your application quality.

The employer sponsorship process

Employer sponsorship typically involves three stages.

Stage 1: Sponsorship approval

The employer applies to become an approved sponsor. Approval may be valid for several years.

Stage 2: Nomination

The employer nominates the role and demonstrates:

• The role is genuine
• Salary meets required thresholds
• Labour market testing has been completed where required

Stage 3: Visa application

The worker submits a visa application, including:

• Skills and qualification evidence
• English language results if required
• Health examinations and police checks

Processing times vary depending on visa type and individual circumstances.

Costs involved in employer-sponsored visas

Employer costs

Employers may incur:

• Sponsorship and nomination fees
• Skilling Australians Fund levy
• Migration agent fees if used

Employee costs

Workers may need to budget for:

• Visa application fees
• Skills assessment costs
• English language testing
• Medical checks and police certificates
• Document translation expenses

Understanding these costs can help improve financial planning before applying.

Processing times for sponsored visas

Indicative processing timeframes (which may change) include:

• Subclass 482: approximately 1–4 months
• Subclass 186: approximately 6–9 months
• Subclass 494: approximately 6–12 months

Incomplete applications or additional checks may extend timeframes.

Pathways to permanent residency

Several sponsored visas Australia pathways may lead to permanent residency:

• Subclass 482 transitioning to subclass 186 through the Temporary Residence Transition stream
• Subclass 494 leading to the subclass 191 visa after meeting regional residence requirements

Permanent residency can offer longer-term stability and broader employment options.

Rights and obligations under sponsored visas

Worker rights

Sponsored workers are generally entitled to:

• Workplace protections under Australian law
• Fair pay and conditions
• Superannuation
• A safe working environment

Worker obligations

Workers must:

• Work only in the approved role
• Comply with visa conditions
• Maintain required insurance
• Notify authorities of certain changes

Employer obligations

Employers must:

• Pay the correct salary
• Maintain required records
• Comply with Fair Work and migration regulations

Common reasons employer sponsorship visas are refused

Applications may be refused due to:

• Inadequate labour market testing
• Salary below required thresholds
• Insufficient skills or experience
• Failure to meet English, health, or character requirements
• Non-genuine roles or businesses

Careful preparation can help reduce the risk of refusal.

Financial support for sponsored workers: Credit24

Relocating for an employer-sponsored visa Australia opportunity can involve upfront expenses such as housing bonds, transport, and initial living costs.

Credit24 may assist eligible visa holders with:

• Personal loans from $500 to $10,000
• Online application process
• Transparent fee information
• Responsible lending assessments

Repayments may be made using common Australian payment methods, including OSKO, depending on your bank.

This information is general only and does not consider your personal financial situation. Credit is subject to eligibility criteria, fees, and terms and conditions.

Tips for employer-sponsored visas in Australia

For workers

• Target occupations with strong demand
• Improve English test results where required
• Build professional networks
• Consider regional opportunities
• Keep documentation organised

For employers

• Start the process early
• Ensure roles and salaries meet requirements
• Maintain accurate compliance records

FAQs

Can employer sponsorship lead to permanent residency?
Some employer-sponsored visas may provide pathways to permanent residency if eligibility criteria are met.

Do I need a job offer to apply?
Yes. Employer-sponsored visas require a genuine job offer and nomination from an approved sponsor.

Can I change employers on a sponsored visa?
In many cases, a new sponsor and nomination are required within a specific timeframe.

Can my family come with me?
Most employer-sponsored visas allow eligible family members to be included, subject to visa conditions.

Disclaimer

IPF Digital Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Credit24, ABN 59 130 894 405. Australian Credit Licence 422839.

The information in this article is general in nature and does not consider your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Lending criteria, fees, and charges apply. For product details, eligibility requirements, and full terms and conditions, visit www.credit24.com.au.