Your guide to Australian work visas and what they offer
If you’re looking to make a permanent move to Australia, an employer-sponsored visa is one of your best options. In this guide, we’ll examine some of the most common visas, their requirements and what you need to keep in mind before making an application.
Sam Hopwood ● Mar 7, 2025
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What is an Australian employer-sponsored visa?
Australia’s labour market is robust, but it has gaps that eligible international workers may fill. An employer-sponsored visa will let you live and work in the country for a fixed amount of time. How long depends on the visa subclass, some of which may even help you gain permanent residency.
The most common employer-sponsored visas are recognised under their numerical subclasses, these being the Skills In Demand (SID) Visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visas.
These visas are further divided into pathways or “streams,” each suitable for different kinds of candidates based on their skills, qualifications or circumstances.
How to get employer sponsorship in Australia
Australian employers expect a detailed CV of three to five pages and a cover letter. They also need a list of references and in-depth information about your work history, skills, and education, presented in reverse chronological order.
Take your search online and check job websites for anything related to your field, ideally from the Registry of Accredited Sponsors. Once you’ve secured an interview for a position, being in the country to meet your potential employer will improve your chances of getting the role. However, a video call is often an option if you cannot make the trip. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date, and complete any additional registrations required for your specific field.
If you want to take a more practical approach, contact potential employers in Australia directly. Use any personal connections to see who may be willing to hire you based on your qualifications and skill set. More often than not, international workers join employers through mutual contacts.
The stages of getting an employer-sponsored visa
Stage 1: Sponsorship licence
Any Australian employer looking to nominate an international candidate will need a Standard Business Sponsor licence. Being employed by a sponsor that has already been granted the licence will make your visa application process much easier. You can check the Registry of Accredited Sponsors to get an idea of which employers in your industry would be ideal to work for.
Stage 2: Nomination
After acquiring a licence, an employer may nominate an occupation they wish to sponsor. They will also have to demonstrate the need their business has for the advertised role and that it’s in line with regulations for Australian-run companies.
Stage 3: Visa application
As a visa applicant, you must prove that you have the required skills, qualifications and experience to be a suitable candidate.
Depending on the visa you’re applying for, an additional skills assessment may also be needed. Then there are also police and medical checks to consider, as well as necessary identity-based documentation like your passport and other documents. Let’s take a look at what else you may need.
Common requirements for Australian work visas
Australian employer-sponsored visas require:
- A valid passport
- Working in an occupation on the Skilled occupation list
- Proof of paid employment, qualification certificates and transcripts
- Some visa types require you are under the age of 45 when applying
- Post-qualified work experience in your field
- Passing the medical, character and English language tests
- Some visa types require a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
A brief look at some employer-sponsored visas
The Skills in Demand (SID) - Subclass 482
This visa is designed to fill in the gaps in the Australian labour market and is one of the most common subclasses employers use to recruit international workers. The 482 lets you remain in Australia between one and four years.
The SID allows you to include your family members on your visa application. Family members are granted independent work rights and the right to study. However, 482 visa holders do not have access to the Australian Medicare system and must maintain their own health insurance.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) - Subclass 186
The subclass 186 is a permanent residency (PR) visa. Benefits of all PR visas include access to Medicare and subsidised education. All PR visas are granted for five years and allow for unrestricted travel in and out of the country for five years after the visa’s issue date.
The 186 visa is split into two streams, they are the 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and the 186 Direct Entry (DE) stream.
The 186 TRT requires that you are under 45 (unless an exemption applies) and that you have spent at least two out of the past three years living and working in Australia on a 482 visa, as well as suitable English language, health and character.
The 186 DE requires that you are under 45 (unless an exemption applies) and that you have a skills assessment in your occupation, three years of post-qualified work experience, as well as suitable English language, health and character.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional - Subclass 494
The 494 allows employers in regional areas (nearly everywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) to sponsor international workers if local candidates don’t have the required skills.
A provisional visa, the 494 offers the possibility of permanent residency provided you live and work in the regional area of your sponsoring employer for at least three years. You may also bring your dependent family members to Australia.