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Employer Sponsored Visas

When local talent isn't available to fill job vacancies, Australian employers have the option to hire overseas workers on temporary or permanent visas. Various visa options exist, each with different work rights and requirements. Some visas necessitate the employer's sponsorship approval.

Our office specialises in assisting both corporate clients (and Australian employers) who want to sponsor a worker and also individuals (nominated employees) who are interested in migrating to Australia.

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*This is a mainstream option and hundreds of thousands of people are in AU ON TEMPORARY WORK VISAS.

For the 2025 financial year 44.000 visas were allocated for this program

Explore the visa options available:

  • The Skills in Demand Program - (SID) visa allows employers to sponsor overseas workers for temporary employment in Australiafor periods ranging from 1 to 4 years. Since December 2024 the government introduced the current consolidated Skills consolidated list (CSOL). Applicants from some countries may be granted a visa for up to 5 years (eg. Hong Kong). The costs for the visa application is the same, however, the SAF training Levy is charged for each year of nomination – see nomination process described below:

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    1. Employer lodges an application to be approved as a business sponsor (SBS).

    2. Employer nominates a position from a special list of occupations.

    3. Employee applies for a visa.

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    With this visa, the worker can:

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    • Work in Australia for the duration of the visa

    • Travel to and from Australia as many times as they want while the visa is valid

    • If eligible, apply for permanent residence

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    Requirements for the worker:

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    • Be nominated to work in an occupation on the list (CSOL) of eligible medium and long-term skilled occupations

    • Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the last 5 years in the  nominated occupation or a related field

    • Have a relevant skills assessment if required for the occupation

    • Work only for the sponsor or associated entity, unless exempt

    • Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency (which may vary between streams) unless exempt from this requirement

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    Information for Sponsors:

     

    You must:

    • Be or have applied to be a Standard Business Sponsor.

    • Have nominated the visa applicant for a Short-term skilled occupation or Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills Occupation (depending on the stream)

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    If an occupation you intend to sponsor is not on the Skilled Occupation Lists, you may consider requesting a Labour Agreement.


    Processing times: They will vary depending on the visa stream.
    Application Cost: From AUD $3,210.00

  • The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows Australian employers to sponsor highly skilled employees for a permanent visa. This can be done through the Transitional stream (from a Subclass 457) or the Direct Entry stream, which has more stringent requirements. Additionally, employers can also opt for the Labour Agreement stream, which provides flexibility in certain circumstances.

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    Details for the direct stream:

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    With this visa, the worker can:

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    • Live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely

    • Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia

    • Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible

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    Requirements for the worker:

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    • Have an occupation that is on the list of eligible skilled occupations

    • Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, unless exempt

    • Have a positive skills assessment, unless exempt

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    Information for Sponsors:

    You must:

     

    • Offer a skilled position that is full time and ongoing for at least 2 years

    • Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy when you submit your employer nomination application

     

     

    Processing times: They will vary depending on the visa stream.

    Application Cost: From AUD $4,910.00

  • This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers when employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

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    There are two main streams for this visa:

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    • Employer Sponsored stream

    • Labour Agreement Stream

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    Details for the Employer Sponsored stream:

    With this visa, the worker can:

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    • Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years

    • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years

    • If eligible, apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted

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    Requirements for the worker:

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    • Be nominated to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list

    • Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation

    • Have a relevant skills assessment, unless an exemption applies

    • Work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless an exemption applies

    • Be under 45 years of age, unless an exemption applies

    • Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

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    Information for Sponsors:

    You must:

     

    • Be an eligible business

    • Be or have applied to be a Standard Business Sponsor

    • Pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy when you nominate an applicant

     

     

    Processing times: They will vary depending on the visa stream.

    Application Cost: From AUD $4,910.00

Interested in applying for the Employer Sponsored Visa? Book a consultation with our lawyers for specialised guidance.

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