EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISAS AUSTRALIA
Last updated 9 Feb 2026
An employer sponsored visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia with support from an approved Australian business.
Unlike points-tested skilled visas, employer sponsorship does not rely on invitation rounds or a competitive points score. Instead, an Australian employer nominates you for a genuine position that meets occupation and salary requirements.
Australia offers four main employer sponsored visa options:
Some pathways lead directly to permanent residency, while others provide a transition route after meeting eligibility and employment requirements.
How Employer Sponsored Visas Work
Employer sponsorship follows three clear stages.
Step 1 – Business Sponsorship Approval
The employer must become an approved sponsor. The business needs to operate lawfully in Australia and demonstrate a genuine need to hire a skilled overseas worker.
Step 2 – Nomination of Position
The employer nominates a full-time position that appears on the relevant occupation list. The role must meet the required income threshold and reflect the market salary rate.
Step 3 – Visa Application
The applicant lodges the visa application and meets skill, English, health and character requirements.
Once approved, the visa allows the applicant to work only in the nominated position for the sponsoring employer.
Main Visa Options
Skills in Demand Visa (482)
The primary employer sponsored visa for skilled workers to live and work in Australia temporarily.
Duration: Up to 4 years
The 482 visa Australia offers three streams based on your skills and salary. Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement, with a pathway to permanent residency.
Eligibility Requirements for Employer Sponsored Visas
To qualify for an employer sponsored visa, both the employer and the applicant must meet specific requirements.
Skills and Experience
You must hold the qualifications and work experience required for the nominated occupation. Some streams require a formal skills assessment.
English Requirement
Applicants must meet the minimum English standard set for the relevant visa subclass.
Salary Requirement
The nominated position must meet the current income threshold and reflect the market salary rate.
Genuine Position
The role must align with the business operations and represent a real operational need.
Health and Character
Applicants must satisfy health and character criteria before visa grant.
Salary Requirements and Income Threshold
Salary compliance forms a central part of employer sponsorship.
The employer must demonstrate:
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The position meets the relevant income threshold
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The salary reflects the market rate for that occupation
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The business pays the overseas worker no less than an equivalent Australian worker
If the salary does not meet these standards, authorities will refuse the nomination.
Can Employer Sponsored Visas Lead to Permanent Residency?
Several employer sponsored visas offer a pathway to permanent residency.
482 to 186
Holders of the Temporary Skill Shortage visa may transition to permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme if they meet employment and eligibility criteria.
494 to 191
Holders of the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa may qualify for permanent residency through Subclass 191 after meeting regional residence and income requirements.
Direct Permanent Residency
The Employer Nomination Scheme also provides a Direct Entry stream for eligible applicants.
Permanent residency offers long-term stability, Medicare access and a pathway to citizenship.
Employer Sponsored Visa vs Skilled Migration
Employer sponsored visas differ from points-tested skilled migration programs.
Points-tested visas include:
Employer sponsorship suits applicants with confirmed job offers. Skilled migration suits applicants with competitive points but no employer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change employers?
You must secure a new approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination before changing employers.
Can I include family members?
Most employer sponsored visas allow eligible family members to apply as dependants.
What happens if sponsorship ends?
You must find a new sponsor, change visa type or leave Australia within the permitted timeframe.
Can I apply while onshore?
Many employer sponsored visas allow onshore applications if you hold a valid substantive visa.
How long does processing take?
Processing times vary by visa subclass and application complexity.
Need Help?
RACC's registered migration agents assess your eligibility, guide your employer through sponsorship, and prepare applications that meet all requirements.
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