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Employer Sponsored Visas

A skilled visa sponsored by an Australian employer for workers with an offer, and businesses that need to fill a genuine skills gap, in the city or in regional Australia.

Overview

Sponsored pathways, handled for both sides

Employer sponsored visas now run through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which replaced the earlier Temporary Skill Shortage visa, together with the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) as a direct route to permanent residency. For roles based in designated regional areas, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) offers a similar sponsored pathway, restricted to regional living, working and study, with its own route to permanent residency (via the subclass 191 visa) after three years.

To sponsor someone, an employer nominates a role sitting on the relevant skilled occupation list and pays at least the current market salary rate and income threshold for that occupation; the worker generally needs relevant experience, any required skills assessment, and English language proficiency unless exempt, with an additional age limit of under 45 for the regional 494 visa. From there, many 482 and 494 holders can move to permanent residency, whether through the 186 visa's Temporary Residence Transition stream after around two years of full-time sponsored work, the 191 visa after three years in a regional role, or the 186 visa's Direct Entry or Labour Agreement streams.

We act for both employers and employees helping businesses become approved sponsors (whether metropolitan or regional) and nominate roles correctly against current occupation lists and salary thresholds, and helping workers build a strong, compliant application from their first sponsored visa through to permanent residency.

Who this pathway is for

  • Skilled workers with a genuine job offer from an Australian employer, in a city or regional location.
  • Australian employers, including regional businesses, wanting to sponsor overseas talent.
  • Businesses that aren't yet an approved sponsor.
  • 482 or 494 visa holders, or legacy 457 holders, exploring a permanent pathway.

Key facts

Visa subclass 482 (Skills in Demand), 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) or 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme).
Typical stay Up to 4 years on the 482 (5 for Hong Kong passport holders), 5 years on the 494, or permanent on the 186.
Sponsor required Yes, an approved Australian business or labour agreement holder.
Regional requirement 494 visa holders must live, work and study only in a designated regional area.
Occupation and salary The nominated role must sit on the relevant skilled occupation list and meet current salary thresholds.
Check my eligibility
What's included

How we handle it for you

01

Sponsorship approval

Getting the business approved as a standard business sponsor for a metropolitan or regional role.

02

Nomination preparation

Matching the role to the correct occupation list and confirming the applicable salary thresholds are met.

03

Visa application

Prepared for the nominated employee, including skills assessment, age and English requirements where they apply.

04

PR pathway advice

Mapping the route to permanent residency via the 186 Direct Entry, Labour Agreement or Temporary Residence Transition streams, or the 191 visa for regional 494 holders.

Our Process

From first conversation to decision

01

Initial consultation

We assess the role, occupation and sponsor eligibility.

02

Sponsorship and nomination

We prepare the business sponsorship and position nomination.

03

Visa lodgement

We file the employee's visa application.

04

Decision and next steps

We advise on conditions, renewals and the permanent residency pathway.

Looking to sponsor or be sponsored?