If you are a skilled worker aiming to move to Australia, mastering the process of How to Secure the Employer Sponsored Visas in Australia is non-negotiable.
This pathway is one of the most effective ways to gain both temporary residency—with a potential pathway to permanent residency—by having an approved Australian business sponsor you for a skilled position.
The core principle of the program is to address genuine skills shortages where a suitable local worker cannot be found. This means your skills and experience must be in demand, and you need to clearly demonstrate the value you bring to a prospective Australian employer.
Securing a job offer and the subsequent visa is the critical first step to living and working in the country, and this comprehensive guide on How to Secure the Employer Sponsored Visas in Australia will walk you through the process, requirements, and strategies for success.
The vibrant economy and high demand for skilled workers in Australia makes the employer-sponsored visa pathway a highly desirable route for skilled professionals around the globe.
Understanding the different visa subclasses and the step-by-step application process is essential to successfully navigating the complex migration landscape and landing your dream career Down Under.
The Key Employer Sponsored Visa Subclasses
The employer-sponsored visa pathway is one of the most critical avenues for skilled professionals seeking to work and live in Australia. This migration program is built around specific visa subclasses; each designed to meet different labor market needs and offer distinct residency outcomes. Understanding the nuances of each subclass is essential for successfully securing the right visa.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)
The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) serves as the backbone of Australia’s temporary employer-sponsored migration program, designed to address short-to-medium-term labor market needs where Australian workers cannot be sourced.
This visa is structured into three distinct streams: the Short-term stream, the Medium-term stream, and the Labour Agreement stream.
The Short-term stream is for occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), typically granted for a maximum of two years, with one renewal permitted onshore, but it does not generally offer a direct pathway to permanent residency (PR).
The Medium-term stream is reserved for high-value occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), offering a longer visa grant period of up to four years. More importantly, it provides a clear and valuable pathway to the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Subclass 186).
In both streams, the applicant must have an approved sponsoring employer, have at least one to two years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation, and meet the specific English language requirements.
The application process itself is a three-stage one, requiring the employer to first become an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS), then to nominate the position (including meeting Labour Market Testing requirements), and finally, the applicant to lodge the visa application.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) is the premier permanent residency visa in the employer-sponsored category, granting the holder and their family immediate permanent resident status in Australia.
This visa is generally divided into two main application pathways: the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and the Direct Entry (DE) stream.
The TRT stream is the most common path and is specifically designed for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer in the nominated occupation for a specified minimum period (which has been consistently reducing and is often around two to three years) and allows them to ‘transition’ to permanent residency.
The Direct Entry (DE) stream is available to applicants who are either applying directly from outside Australia or who have not held a TSS visa for the required period.
This stream is more stringent, typically demanding that the applicant must be under the age of 45, have a formal and positive skills assessment for their occupation, and possess at least three years of relevant post-qualification work experience.
In all streams, the employer must submit a formal nomination, demonstrating the genuine need for the role and their ability to meet the necessary sponsorship obligations, and the applicant must meet all health and character requirements.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) is a crucial component of Australia’s strategy to promote skilled migration to regional areas, offering a provisional visa valid for five years with an attractive and streamlined pathway to permanent residency.
This visa requires the holder to live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia, excluding major metropolitan centers like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
The primary benefit of the 494 visa is the clear route it offers to the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191) after the visa holder has lived and worked in the regional area and met the minimum taxable income requirement for at least three of the five years they hold the 494 visa.
Because it targets regional shortages, the list of eligible occupations for the 494 visa is often broader than the non-regional TSS visa. Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age, have a formal skills assessment, and possess at least three years of relevant post-qualification experience.
Furthermore, the employer’s nomination must be supported by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) to confirm the genuine need for the worker in that specific region.
Training Visa (Subclass 407)
The Training Visa (Subclass 407) is an employer-sponsored visa with a different focus than the skilled worker visas; it is specifically designed to allow people to participate in structured, workplace-based training or professional development programs in Australia.
This visa is not intended to fill a genuine ongoing employment need but rather to facilitate the transfer of skills, often for training required for occupational registration, or to enhance the skills of a foreign employee in their current role.
The application requires an approved sponsor (the organization providing the training) and a detailed, tailored Training Plan outlining the objectives, content, and duration of the program. The visa is granted for a temporary period, typically up to two years, which is the time necessary to complete the specified training.
It is critical to note that the Training Visa does not offer a direct pathway to permanent residency, and the activities undertaken in Australia must strictly adhere to the approved training plan. This makes it an ideal visa for short-term skill enhancement or capacity building but not for long-term skilled employment migration.
Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Your Employer Sponsored Visas in Australia
Securing an employer-sponsored visa in Australia is a structured, multi-stage process that requires meticulous preparation and coordination between the skilled migrant and the sponsoring Australian business.
The entire process hinges on the government’s three-stage framework, ensuring that the employer is legitimate, the job is genuine, and the applicant is qualified.
Step 1: Pre-Application Preparation and Eligibility Assessment
The crucial first step, undertaken entirely by the prospective applicant, is to establish concrete eligibility and prepare a compliant professional profile. This involves rigorous self-assessment against the strict criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.
You must confirm that your nominated occupation is listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for your intended visa subclass (e.g., the Core Skills Occupation List for the TSS/SID visa), as an unavailable occupation will immediately halt the application process.
Following this, you must undertake any necessary skills assessments by the relevant Australian assessing authority (e.g., VETASSESS or Engineers Australia). This mandatory step verifies that your qualifications and work experience are comparable to the Australian standard for your occupation.
Furthermore, you must complete an approved English language proficiency test (such as IELTS or PTE Academic) and achieve the minimum score required for the visa stream you are targeting.
Ensuring all these personal criteria are met before engaging an employer significantly enhances your attractiveness as a candidate, presenting you as a “visa-ready” asset who will minimize delays and complexity for the sponsoring business.
Step 2: Finding a Sponsoring Employer and Securing a Job Offer
This is often the most challenging stage, requiring a proactive and targeted job search strategy. You must find an Australian business that is either already an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) or is willing and eligible to apply to become one, and that has a genuine need for your specific skill set.
To maximize success, target industries in high demand, such as healthcare, IT, and construction, and utilize Australian job boards like Seek and LinkedIn, filtering searches using keywords like “visa sponsorship” or the specific visa subclass, such as “482 sponsorship.”
A highly effective strategy is to research and target businesses that are already designated as Accredited Sponsors or those operating under Labour Agreements (like a Designated Area Migration Agreement or DAMA), as these companies are familiar with the sponsorship process and often benefit from faster visa processing times.
Once you secure a job offer, it is vital to ensure the proposed salary is at or above both the government-mandated minimum salary threshold (currently the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold, or TSMIT) and the Australian Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for that specific role, as non-compliance in pay is a major reason for nomination refusal.
Step 3: The Employer Submits the Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Application
Before any worker can be nominated, the Australian business must be formally approved as a sponsor. This is the first of the three official application stages and is solely the employer’s responsibility.
The business must demonstrate to the Department of Home Affairs that it is a lawfully established and actively operating entity in Australia.
Documentation includes proof of registration (such as an ABN and ASIC registration), business financials (like recent bank statements, BAS, and financial reports), and a commitment to complying with all sponsorship obligations.
Key among these obligations is the promise to pay all relevant government costs related to the sponsorship and nomination process, including the Skilling Australia Fund (SAF) levy, and to provide fair working conditions and market salary rates to the sponsored employee.
Once approved, the Standard Business Sponsorship is typically valid for five years, allowing the business to sponsor multiple overseas workers during this period without reapplying for the SBS itself.
Step 4: The Employer Submits the Nomination Application
Once the Standard Business Sponsorship is approved, the employer proceeds to the second critical stage: nominating the specific skilled position. This application links the business to the job and the individual visa applicant.
The employer must provide a detailed position description and an organizational chart to prove the genuine need for the role within the business structure and to confirm that the role aligns with a high-demand occupation on the relevant skilled list (ANZSCO classification).
For most temporary visas, the employer must also satisfy Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements, proving that they have genuinely attempted to recruit an Australian citizen or permanent resident for the position by running advertisements on national job portals for a specified period (typically 28 days) with appropriate details.
The nomination also confirms the market salary rate that will be paid to the applicant. The applicant’s role here is to provide all necessary personal and professional details, including the intended start date, to ensure the employer’s nomination is comprehensive and accurate, as the success of the visa application relies heavily on the nomination approval.
Step 5: The Applicant Lodges the Visa Application
The final stage is the visa application itself, which is the responsibility of the skilled worker (the nominee). This application must be lodged online via the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount, and only after the employer’s nomination has been formally submitted and, for some visa subclasses, approved.
In this application, the worker is required to upload all supporting documentation gathered in Step 1, including;
- the results of the English test,
- evidence of a successful skills assessment (if required),
- qualifications,
- and extensive professional documents such as detailed employment reference letters, CVs, payslips, and tax records.
All of these must clearly demonstrate that the applicant possesses the necessary skills and experience to perform the nominated occupation.
This stage also requires the applicant and any dependent family members to complete mandatory health examinations with a panel doctor and to provide police clearance certificates from every country in which they have lived for 12 months or more over the last ten years, satisfying the stringent health and character requirements.
Step 6: Processing and Visa Grant
After the visa application is lodged, the waiting period begins. Processing times can vary significantly based on the visa subclass (temporary vs. permanent), the stream (e.g., short-term vs. medium-term), the completeness of the documentation, and current government processing priorities.
During this time, a case officer from the Department of Home Affairs may contact either the employer or the applicant to request further information (often referred to as a Request for Further Information or RFI), which must be addressed promptly and comprehensively to avoid delays or, worse, refusal.
Once the application is thoroughly assessed and deemed compliant with all legislative criteria, a visa grant notice is issued digitally.
This notice details the visa start date, any conditions (such as the obligation to work only for the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation), and the duration of the visa. The successful outcome of this final step then allows the skilled migrant to lawfully commence their employment and their new life in Australia.
Key Requirements for Applicants Seeking Employer Sponsored Visas in Australia
The key requirements for applicants seeking employer sponsored visas in Australia, such as the temporary Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) and the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186), are multifaceted and cover a range of areas, including your skills, work history, English proficiency, and personal circumstances.
Meeting these criteria is essential for a successful application, as they demonstrate your suitability to fill a skilled position and contribute to the Australian economy.
Employer Nomination and Eligible Occupation
A fundamental requirement for both the 482 and 186 visas is that the applicant must be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a skilled position. This process involves the employer proving that their business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia and that there is a genuine need for a paid employee to fill the role.
Furthermore, the nominated occupation must be on the relevant Skilled Occupation List for the specific visa stream. For the 482 visa, this is either the Core Skills Occupation List or the Specialist Skills stream based on salary, while for the permanent 186 Direct Entry stream, it is typically the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
The nomination outlines the employment conditions, including the requirement for a full-time and genuine position, and a salary that meets the minimum income threshold and the Annual Market Salary Rate. The visa application itself must be lodged within a specified period—typically six months—after the employer’s nomination is approved.
Relevant Work Experience
Applicants for these employer-sponsored visas must demonstrate a specific amount of relevant work experience in their nominated occupation. For the 186 Visa Direct Entry stream, the standard requirement is to have at least three years of full-time, relevant work experience.
This experience should generally have been gained post-qualification and at the skill level appropriate for the nominated occupation.
For the 482 visa, the requirement is being progressively reduced to at least one year of relevant work experience within the last five years, though the two-year requirement may currently still apply for some streams.
The work experience must be in the nominated occupation or a closely related field at the same skill level. Experience can be gained full-time, or the pro-rata equivalent in part-time work, but generally, casual work is not counted.
Furthermore, in the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186 visa, the work experience requirement is fulfilled by having worked for the nominating employer on a 482 or equivalent visa for a specified period (e.g., at least two of the last three years) prior to the nomination.
Skills Assessment and Qualifications
Depending on the visa stream and your nominated occupation, applicants may be required to obtain a positive and valid skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing authority.
This assessment is a formal process that verifies your skills, qualifications, and employment history against the standards required to work in the occupation in Australia.
For the 186 Direct Entry stream, a positive skills assessment is generally a mandatory requirement, confirming that you possess the necessary expertise to perform the tasks of the nominated occupation.
While a skills assessment may not be mandatory for every 482 visa stream, all applicants are required to have the relevant skills, qualifications, and employment background to capably perform the job.
Additionally, if the occupation requires mandatory licensing, registration, or professional membership to practice in the state or territory of employment in Australia, the applicant must provide evidence that they meet, or will be able to meet, these requirements.
English Language Proficiency
A crucial component for all skilled visas is demonstrating a minimum level of English language proficiency. The required level varies by visa subclass and stream. For the 186 Visa (both Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams), the minimum requirement is generally ‘Competent English’.
This typically equates to a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or an equivalent score on another approved English language test such as PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT.
For the 482 Visa, the minimum English requirement can vary based on the stream, but applicants must generally have suitable English language skills for the position. The test results provided must typically be no more than three years old at the time of application.
Age Limit
For the permanent 186 Visa, applicants generally must be under 45 years of age at the time the visa application is lodged. This age limit is a strict criteria for the majority of applicants in both the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams, reflecting the government’s focus on attracting younger, long-term skilled migrants.
However, important exemptions do exist for certain professions and circumstances, such as for university academics, scientists nominated by a government agency, or certain medical practitioners.
In contrast, the temporary 482 Visa does not have a maximum age limit for the primary visa applicant. This makes the 482 visa a viable option for older skilled workers who may not qualify for a permanent residency pathway due to age restrictions, though the pathway to permanent residency via the 186 visa will eventually be closed off if the age limit exception criteria are not met.
Health and Character Requirements
All applicants and any accompanying family members must meet Australia’s strict health and character requirements.
The health requirement involves undertaking a medical examination with a panel physician to ensure that the applicant does not pose a public health risk to the Australian community and will not result in a significant burden on Australia’s health care and community services.
The character requirement is equally stringent, obligating applicants aged 16 years or older to provide police clearance certificates from every country they have lived in for 12 months or more over the last ten years.
This process is designed to ensure that applicants are of good moral standing and do not have a substantial criminal history. Furthermore, applicants aged 18 years or older must also sign the Australian Values Statement, confirming their commitment to respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
Conclusion
Securing an employer sponsored visa is a structured, multi-step journey that requires diligence and patience. By thoroughly researching your occupation’s eligibility, strategically targeting approved and willing Australian employers, and meticulously preparing your documentation, you position yourself for the highest chance of success.
This path not only offers an incredible professional opportunity but also a gateway to a new life in Australia. Begin your journey today by ensuring you fully grasp the process of How to Secure the Employer Sponsored Visas in Australia.