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Employer Sponsored Visas

Your Pathway to Skilled Talent in Australia

Employer-Sponsored Visas in Australia

Australia offers a variety of employer-sponsored visas designed to address skills shortages and provide pathways for skilled overseas workers to live and work in Australia. These visas allow businesses to sponsor qualified professionals when suitable Australian workers are unavailable. Below is an overview of key employer-sponsored visas and their requirements:

 

Subclass 407 - Training Visa

 

The Temporary Activity Visa Subclass 407 is for individuals who want to participate in workplace-based training to improve their skills in a specific occupation, tertiary study area, or professional development program. This visa is temporary and allows applicants to train in Australia for up to two years.


Key Features:
 

  1. Participants can undertake workplace-based training to enhance their skills.

  2. Family members can be included in the visa application.

  3. Employers must provide a formal training plan and ensure the trainee gains relevant workplace experience.


Employer Requirements:
 

  1. The business must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia.

  2. Employers need to comply with sponsorship obligations and provide proper training facilities.
     

Visa Benefits:
 

  1. This visa is ideal for applicants looking to gain specific skills relevant to their profession in Australia.

  2. It allows trainees to live in Australia temporarily while participating in structured training programs.

Subclass 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa

 

The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) is designed for employers to fill skill shortages by bringing in skilled workers from overseas. This visa allows businesses to hire workers when they cannot find suitable Australian candidates for the position.

Streams:
 

  1. Short-Term Stream: For occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), allowing applicants to stay in Australia for up to two years (or up to four years if an international trade agreement applies). Pathway to permanent residency after two years.

  2. Medium-Term Stream: For critical skills occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), allowing workers to stay for up to four years, with a pathway to permanent residency after two years.

  3. Labour Agreement Stream: Available when an employer has a specific agreement with the Australian government to address labor shortages not covered by the standard TSS visa.

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Key Features:

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  1. Employers must demonstrate a genuine skill shortage that cannot be filled locally.

  2. Applicants must meet the employer-sponsored visa 482 requirements, including relevant skills, qualifications, and experience for the nominated occupation.

  3. Workers may be eligible for permanent residency through the 482 employer-sponsored visa to PR pathway.

 

Employer Obligations:

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  1. Employers must be approved as a sponsor and comply with the employer-sponsored visa Australia requirements.

  2. Labour market testing is often required to demonstrate the unavailability of suitable Australian workers.

Subclass 494 - Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

The Subclass 494 Employer-Sponsored Visa is specifically designed for regional employers to sponsor skilled workers in areas facing labor shortages. This visa allows the sponsored employee to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years.
 

Key Features:
 

  • Workers can apply for permanent residency after three years of employment in a regional area.

  • The visa is only available to employers and positions in designated regional areas of Australia.

Employer Requirements:

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  1. Employers must show they operate in a regional area and meet the employer-sponsored visa requirements.

  2. Sponsoring businesses must demonstrate the necessity of the role and comply with labor market testing where required.
     

Pathway to Permanent Residency:
 

  • After three years of work in a regional area, workers on the 494 employer-sponsored visa can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa

The Subclass 186 Employer-Sponsored Visa offers permanent residency to skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. This visa is ideal for skilled workers seeking to live and work permanently in Australia and is available in two main streams: Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition.
 

Streams:
 

  1. Direct Entry Stream: For applicants who have not previously worked in Australia or who have limited experience in Australia. Employers nominate skilled workers for permanent roles.

  2. Temporary Residence Transition Stream: For workers who have been on a 482 employer-sponsored visa and have worked for the same employer for at least two years.
     

Key Features:
 

  1. Permanent residency for skilled workers.

  2. Workers must meet the requirements of skills, qualifications, and English proficiency.

  3. Employers must demonstrate a genuine need for the nominated role and comply with labor market testing, where applicable.
     

Employer Obligations:
 

  1. Employers must offer full-time skilled employment for at least two years and meet the employer-sponsored visa 186 requirements.

  2. Sponsoring businesses must comply with salary and employment conditions equivalent to those provided to Australian workers.
     

Pathway to Permanent Residency:
 

Workers on the 482 employer-sponsored visa can apply for permanent residency after working with the same employer for three years under the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186 employer-sponsored visa.

Navigating the Australian immigration process can be challenging due to its complexity and frequent changes in laws and regulations. Engaging a migration lawyer or a registered migration agent can significantly enhance your chances of a successful application.
 

With Guney Migration Consultancy, clients benefit from expert guidance tailored to their unique situations. The firm is led by Ceren Guney, a migration lawyer, and Feriha Guney (MARN 0960690), a registered migration agent. They combine deep knowledge of Australian migration law with a client-first approach, ensuring that applicants make informed decisions throughout their migration journey.

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