Australian Employer-Sponsored visas

We can help with your business’s Australian immigration needs

Australian business looking to hire international staff? We can assist with applications for sponsorship licences, nominations of roles in your business that you wish to sponsor and visa applications for your employees and candidates, as well as other compliance matters.

Types of Employer-Sponsored Visas

1. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) is an Australian work visa designed to address skill shortages by allowing employers to bring in skilled workers from overseas when they cannot find suitable candidates locally.

Short-Term Stream: For occupations listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), allows stays of up to two years.

Medium-Term Stream: For occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), allows stays of up to four years and a pathway to permanent residency.

Labour Agreement Stream: For employers who have a labour agreement with the Australian government.

This visa is due to be replaced by the Skills in Demand visa in late 2024.

2. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently.

Direct Entry (DE) Stream: For skilled workers who are nominated by their employer in a permanent position.

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: For workers holding a 482/TSS visa who have worked for the same employer for at least two years on the 482/TSS visa.

Labour Agreement Stream: For employees sponsored through a labour agreement.

3. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187)

The subclass 187 permanent employer sponsored visa programme allows overseas employees to apply for Australian permanent residence. The sponsor and the position are required to be based in a regional part of Australia.

Direct Entry Stream: For workers who have been nominated by an employer in regional Australia.

From 16 November 2019 new applications for subclass 187 visas under Direct Entry stream are no longer accepted.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream: For workers holding a TSS visa or a subclass 457 visa and have worked for the same employer in regional Australia for three years.

As of 16 November 2019, only current, eligible subclass 457 or 482 transitional workers can still apply for a subclass 187 visa under Temporary Residence.

4. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) is designed to address skill shortages in regional Australia by allowing employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas or those already in Australia.

This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after meeting specific requirements.

• Employer Sponsored Stream: For skilled workers nominated by an employer in regional Australia.
• Labour Agreement Stream: For skilled workers nominated by an employer who has entered into a labour agreement with the Australian government.

5. Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191)

The Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa is for individuals who have lived, worked and studied in designated regional areas of Australia on a previous eligible visa. It provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who have fulfilled the requirements of their provisional visas.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current visa holder: Must hold a Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) or a Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa.
• Residency: Must have lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years while holding the eligible visa.
• Income requirements: Must have earned a taxable income at or above a specified income threshold for at least three years.
• Compliance: Must have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa.

Eligibility criteria for Australian Employer-Sponsored visas

To be eligible for an employer-sponsored visa, applicants must generally meet the following criteria:

• Sponsorship by an approved employer: The employer must be an approved sponsor and nominate the applicant for a position that fits their skill set.
• Relevant skills and qualifications: Applicants must have the necessary skills, qualifications, and work experience for the nominated position.
• English language proficiency: Applicants must meet the English language requirements specific to their visa category.
• Health and character requirements: Applicants must undergo health examinations and provide police certificates to demonstrate good health and character.

How to apply for an Australian Employer-Sponsored visa

1. Sponsorship: The Australian employer applies to become an approved sponsor.
2. Nomination: The employer nominates a position to be filled by an overseas worker.
3. Visa application: The nominated worker applies for the visa.

Can my family join me on an Employer-Sponsored visa?

Yes, you are allowed to bring your partner and dependent children to Australia with you. If you have a provisional visa, they will be granted the same visa as you, allowing them to live, study and even work in Australia for the duration of your visa.

If you have a visa that grants you permanent residency, then your dependants will have the same rights as you, to live, study and work in Australia permanently.

How much does an Australian Employer-Sponsored visa cost?