Sponsorship Visa Australia Requirements: A Guide for Employers
If your business is struggling to fill skilled positions locally, sponsoring an overseas skilled worker might be the solution. Sponsorship is a key pathway for skilled workers to work in Australia. But before you begin, it’s essential to understand the sponsorship visa Australia requirements.
This guide breaks down everything Australian employers need to know to sponsor skilled migrants under the 482, 186, and 494 visa programs.
What Is a Sponsorship Visa?
A sponsorship visa falls under the category of employer sponsored visas, which allow Australian businesses to hire skilled workers for temporary or permanent roles. The most common visa subclasses for employer sponsored visas are:
Subclass 482 – Skills In Demand (SID) visa (temporary visa) (Core Skills, Specialist skills and Labour Agreement streams)
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (permanent residency)
Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (regional, pathway to permanent residency)
These visa subclasses enable visa holders to work in Australia (on a temporary basis for the 482 visa), depending on the visa subclass and the job offered.
Each visa subclass is designed for specific jobs and employment durations, but all require the employer to become an approved sponsor and meet strict nomination and employment criteria.
Step 1: Become an Approved Sponsor
Before you can nominate a skilled worker, your business must become an approved Australian employer by applying for Standard Business Sponsorship via ImmiAccount. To qualify, you must:
Be a legally operating business in Australia
Have a genuine need for the position
Demonstrate good workplace and compliance history
Agree to follow sponsorship obligations under Australian migration law
Note: The Australian government regulates the sponsorship process, and only approved Australian employers can sponsor overseas workers.
For the 494 visa, your business must also be located in a designated regional area.
Once approved, sponsorship status is valid for five years and allows you to sponsor multiple skilled workers.
Step 2: Choose the Right Sponsorship Visa Option
Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
Temporary visa for filling short- or medium-term roles
Valid for up to four years (maximum duration for the Skills In Demand visa subclass 482)
Applicants must have a nominated occupation on the relevant list and may need to complete a skills assessment as part of the application process
Core stream - occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List
Specialist stream - must be an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) occupation listed in Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6 with a salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
Can lead to permanent residency via the 186 visa
Requires Labour Market Testing (LMT), a relevant occupation, and market salary rate which is over the required threshold of AUD$76,515 (from 1 July 2025) for Core skills stream and AUD 141,210 for Specialist skills stream
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa
Permanent residency: The Subclass 186 visa grants permanent residence in Australia, allowing holders to live and work permanently as part of the employer sponsored visa.
Available through Direct Entry or the Temporary Residence Transition stream, both of which can lead to permanent residence after meeting eligibility criteria.
A nomination from the employer is required before the applicant can proceed with the visa application.
Often used for long-term workforce planning or high-value employees
Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
For businesses located in designated regional areas of regional Australia
Valid for 5 years, with a pathway to PR via the Subclass 191 visa
Requires Regional Certifying Body (RCB) advice, LMT, skills assessment for the visa applicant and sponsorship by a regional employer
Occupation must be on the Regional Occupation List
Visa holders must meet certain conditions, such as living and working in the designated regional area, to become eligible for permanent residency.
Note: The 494 visa is a great option if you’re outside major metro areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane—and want a long-term staff member with PR potential.
Step 3: Nominate the Position
To meet sponsorship visas' requirements, your nominated position must:
Be a nominated occupation that is on the official list of eligible occupations for the visa subclass
Be full-time and genuine
Meet the Income Threshold of AUD$76,515 (from 1 July 2025) for Core skills stream and AUD 141,210 for specialist skills stream for the 482 visa
Include Labour Market Testing (LMT), unless an exemption applies
For 494 visa, include advice from a Regional Certifying Body (RCB)
Each visa subclass has its own specific eligibility criteria for the nominated occupation, so it is important to check the requirements for your chosen pathway.
You’ll also pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which varies by business size and visa type.
Step 4: Candidate Applies for the Visa
Once your sponsorship and nomination are applied for, the skilled worker must submit a comprehensive visa application. They must:
Meet qualification and work experience requirements
Provide evidence of English proficiency
Complete a skills assessment if required
Pass health and character checks
Family members can be included in the visa application, if eligible.
For the 494 visa, the employee must live and work in the regional area specified in their visa for at least 3 years before becoming eligible for PR.
Upon successful assessment, a visa grant will allow the skilled worker to commence employment in Australia.
Step 5: Meet Ongoing Sponsorship Obligations
As a sponsor, your legal responsibilities include:
Keeping records of the sponsored worker’s employment
Notifying the Department of any changes (e.g. role, salary, resignation)
Paying the employee the market salary
Ensuring compliance with visa conditions
Ensuring that visa holders comply with certain conditions attached to their visas
Non-compliance can lead to fines, cancellation of sponsorship status, and being barred from future sponsorships.
Understand the Fees Involved for Employers
One of the most important aspects of understanding sponsorship visas' requirements is knowing the cost. Here’s a breakdown of the common fees employers can expect:
Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Application Fee:
$420 one-time fee
Nomination Fees:
$330 per nomination (for 482, 186 or 494 visas)
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy:
Small businesses (turnover < $10 million):
$1,200 per year of the visaLarge businesses (turnover ≥ $10 million):
$1,800 per year of the visaPaid upfront for the full visa term (e.g. 4 years = $4,800 for small business)
Other Potential Costs:
Recruitment and advertising costs (to meet Labour Market Testing)
Regional Certifying Body (RCB) fees (for 494 visa, typically $300–$600)
Migration agent's professional fees (optional but recommended)
Note: Employers cannot pass these fees on to the employee—this is a breach of sponsorship obligations.
How Long Does It Take?
Subclass 482 visa: 2–4 months
Subclass 186 visa: 6–17 months
Subclass 494 visa: 6–8 months (RCB advice adds extra time)
Working with a registered migration agent can reduce delays and improve approval rates.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the sponsorship visas' requirements is essential for any employer looking to sponsor skilled workers. Whether you're in a metro city or regional area, the 482, 186, and 494 visas offer flexible pathways to hire the talent your business needs.
Need Help Sponsoring a Worker?
Via Migration specialises in employer sponsorship and skilled migration. We’ll guide you through sponsorship, nomination, and visa lodgement—so you can focus on growing your business.
Book a employer consultation today and take the guesswork out of hiring skilled migrants.
