Picture this: you are an experienced hairstylist who lives outside of Australia. You came across a job ad from an Australian company that says “visa sponsorship available.” This means that the company is offering you a job and also willing to handle your paperwork to get you into their country, so you can legally live and work in Australia. This kind of support is called visa sponsorship. If the visa is done by an employer who is looking to bring in skilled workers into the country, it’s called an employer-sponsored visa.
This article will provide insights on the most common Australian Employer-Sponsored visas, eligibility, what qualifies you as a skilled worker, how to find employers who can sponsor skilled workers; steps to follow and possible cost of travel in helping you choose the one that best suits your travel needs.
Difference between Visa Sponsorship & Employer-Sponsored Australian Visa
Visa sponsorship is when a friend in Australia, family member or rather an organisation supports your visa application by sponsoring you. The overall idea is that someone or an organisation is backing you to get a visa.
Employer-sponsored visa on the other hand, is when businesses in Australia have skill shortages in various industries and are unable to fill in the skills needed locally. This method is used to fill in skilled positions outside of Australia, thereby contributing to the economy’s growth.
The employer-sponsored visa is generally categorised into two: Permanent and Temporary.
A. The Skill in Demand visa (subclass 482)
B. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
C. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
A. The Skill in Demand visa (subclass 482)
As of December 7, 2024 the temporary skill shortage (TSS) was replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. The SID visa is valid for 1-4 years depending on your nominated occupation, visa stream and circumstances. The visa allows employers to address the skill shortage issues in their country by bringing in skilled workers outside Australia when they cannot get one locally, so they can live and earn in Australia. SID visa holders can live and work in Australia, study in Australia, include immediate family on their 482 visa, and also apply to permanent residency if eligible.
Visa holders in this category can only work in Australia in their nominated occupation for their sponsor under one of these 3 streams:
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- The core skills stream
- The specialist skills stream
- The Labour Agreement stream
1. The Core Skills stream allows your employer to sponsor you on a temporary basis in occupations listed only on the short-term skilled occupation list (STSOL).
Occupations in construction, healthcare, agriculture, and cybersecurity fall under this category. This list can be used to fill in skilled positions for a minimum of 2 years and 4 years maximum if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies. The processing time of this visa is usually one to two months. The base fee for this visa is: for employees (from $3,210 AUD), for employers ($420 AUD Sponsorship Application) and ($330 AUD Nomination and Skilling Australians Fund Levy).
2. The Specialist Skills stream allows your employer to sponsor you for up to 4 years in occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL) for the TSS visa. Applicants on these streams may become eligible for permanent residency depending on the age, English, health and character requirements. The processing time of this visa is usually one to two months. The base fee for this visa is: for employees (from $3,210 AUD), for employers ($420 AUD Sponsorship Application) and ($330 AUD Nomination and Skilling Australians Fund Levy).
3. The Labour Agreement stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you as an overseas skilled worker and has entered into a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs, allowing you to live and work temporarily in Australia for a period of 4 years.
General Eligibility for All Streams
The chances of getting this visa as an overseas skilled worker might work if:
1. You have been nominated by an approved sponsor and the nomination has also been approved.
2. You meet the skill requirements and qualifications.
3. You meet the English language requirements.
4. You meet the health and character requirements.
5. You meet the stream requirements you are applying to.
Sponsor
Before you can apply for a SID visa, your employer will need to lodge a nomination application for you. They will only be able to do this if they are an approved sponsor or have at least lodged an application to become a standard business sponsor.
Age
There is no age limit for the SID visa.
Experience
Applicants must have 1-5 years previous experience before applying for this visa. Part time jobs are also put into consideration.
Applicants must have at least 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation
Skill assessment is required before applying for the SIS visa.
B. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent visa allowing Australian employers to sponsor highly skilled workers to live and work in Australia. It’s important to meet all necessary requirements and work experience to fill in those skilled positions. This visa requires an offer and acceptance of skilled employment in Australia.
ENS visa has 3 streams which includes:
- Temporary Residence Transition Stream
- Direct Entry Stream
- Labour Agreement Stream
1. Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Applicants with the TSS 482 visa or eligible bridging visa who have worked for the employer for at least 3 years on a full-time basis in the same nominated occupation can apply for a permanent residency.
2. Direct Entry Stream
This visa allows skilled workers who have been nominated by an employer to live and work permanently in Australia. The applicant occupation must be one of the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations and must have competent English language proficiency ability.
3. Labour Agreement Stream
If you currently work or will work for an employer who is a party to the labour or regional migration agreement, this might just be for you. This visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently.
General Eligibility for All Streams
You must have the necessary skills for the job
You must be nominated by an Australian employer
You must meet their health and character requirements.
You must have at least 3 years relevant work experience.
You must be under the age of 45 when applying.
You must have at least competent English language ability.
If you owe the Australian government, you must have paid it back or have a formal agreement on paying back.
Benefits of The ENS Visa
This is a permanent visa that allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely.
You can work and study in Australia.
Enrol in the Australia public healthcare scheme.
Sponsor eligible relatives or family members to come to Australia.
Apply for Australia permanent citizenship if eligible.
Cost of Visa and Processing Time
The visa cost AUD4,100 for the main applicant. Charge applies for each family member who applies with you.
Visa application may take a longer time if: You do not fill in the correct details.
You do not include the necessary documents or there’s a need for more.
It takes a long time to process your information.
C. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
This is a temporary visa that allows regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. The SESR visa allows skilled workers to live and work only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years sponsored by the employer. It provides a pathway to permanent residency (subclass 191 visa) after 3 years, provided the visa holder meets specific eligibility criteria.
SESR visa also have 3 streams which includes:
- Employer-sponsored stream
- Subsequent Entrant
- Labour Agreement stream
1. Employer-sponsored stream
This visa allows regional employers to address skill shortages within their region, sponsoring skilled workers when they cannot get one locally. As a skilled worker with this visa, you get to live, work and study only in the designated regional areas in Australia for 5 years. You are allowed to travel in and out of Australia for five years from when your visa is granted. If you are eligible, you may apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time your visa is granted.
2. Subsequent Entrant
This visa is applicable to the members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) holder who are applying separately for their SESR visa and wish to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia.
3. Labour Agreement stream
This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement with the Australian government.
General Eligibility for All Streams
Applicants must be nominated by an eligible employer whose business is lawfully operating in Australia, in a designated regional area.
Applicants must have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list with necessary qualifications.
The applicant must meet a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Applicants must be under 45 years of age unless exempted.
Applicants must have at least 3 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
Applicants must only work for their sponsor unless an exemption applies.
Benefits of The SESR Visa
Workers with the 494 visa will be able to stay in Australia for 5 years from the visa issued date.
Will be eligible to travel to and from Australia as much as they like.
Applicants will be able to apply for the permanent residency.
Applicants can include family members on their visa.
Cost of Visa and Processing Time
The cost of this visa is $4115 for the main applicant. For dependents under 18 years, the cost is $1030, and for those 18 years and above, the cost is $2060. Visa processing time is usually within 3-4 months.
What Qualifies You As A Skilled Worker in Australia?
In Australia, a skilled worker is someone whose job is on the skilled occupation list and meets their requirements, work experience and also their English language proficiency. Employers mostly sponsor those whose skills are already in demand.
How Do I Find A Sponsor?
If you have a skill and you are here on a student visa, graduate visa or working holiday visa but can’t find a sponsor. How do you find one in Australia? This is a general question which we already have the same answers to.
The process to find a sponsor may differ depending on your occupation or whether you are onshore or offshore. If you cannot get invites through the General skill migration, finding a company that will sponsor you is the only way to get to Australia. Here are some tips to guide you find a sponsor:
1. You need a good online résumé.
Highlight your skills and work experience, past studies in Australia and overseas and have a very good online presence. Have a good LinkedIn profile talking about the skills you can contribute with, to an employer.
Talk about visa eligibility on your CV, LinkedIn profile and real life when you get an interview or when you apply for work. Be upfront that you are on a temporary visa in Australia–what visa you have, what work right the visa comes with, talk about how you know you are eligible for sponsorship which you can talk about, to those in the Australian migration agency.
2. Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Perfect your resume and online presence. Highlight your visa eligibility and show that you are working on a migration form already.
3. Network strategically. Go out there, make friends, go to workshops to network, join online forums and try to meet those already in your industry. You can also reach out to recruiters online on LinkedIn.
4. Find out if there is any employer in your industry that already sponsored people in the past or ask from friends to get more information. Do some research, you may be able to find some in your industry, approach them and start from there.
5. Finally, always double check the official Australian government website or speak to a registered Australia migration agency before making big decisions. Sign up to newsletters or blog posts that always post information about sponsorship, visa updates and getting tips about sponsorships.
Conclusion
Before you begin your sponsorship journey, remember that getting an employer-sponsored visa is not just about finding any job, it is about finding the right job with the right employer that really needs your skills.
Focus on roles that are truly in demand, prepare a professional CV that fits the Australian style and keep your English test scores as high as possible. Also, be patient because the process takes time. Wishing you the best as you move forward with your big plans, may your skills open new doors in Australia.
