Employer sponsorship guide
Standard Business Sponsorship, nomination, and visa pathways explained for employers and sponsored workers.
Overview
What this guide covers
Employer-sponsored visas typically involve three linked stages: sponsorship approval, nomination of a position, and the worker's visa application.
Employers must meet eligibility requirements including lawful operation, training benchmarks, and nomination criteria for the role.
Workers must meet skills, English, health, and character requirements for the nominated visa subclass.
Audience
Who this guide is for
Employers hiring overseas skilled workers
Workers with a job offer in Australia
HR teams new to sponsorship compliance
Key information
At a glance
Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) must be approved before nominations in most cases
Nomination must match an eligible occupation and meet salary and market rate requirements
Subclass 482 is temporary; Subclass 186 and 494 offer permanent or provisional pathways
Sponsors have ongoing obligations including record-keeping and notifying changes
Labour agreements and DAMA may apply in specific industries or regions
Sponsorship stages
SBS application: The employer demonstrates they are a lawful, operating business capable of meeting sponsor obligations.
Nomination: The employer nominates a specific position for an overseas worker, meeting occupation list, salary, and genuine position requirements.
Visa application: The worker applies for the relevant subclass (e.g. 482, 186, 494) linked to the approved nomination.
Sponsor obligations
Sponsors must cooperate with monitoring, keep records, and notify the department of changes affecting the sponsorship or employment.
Non-compliance can affect future sponsorship ability and existing visa holders.
Avoid delays
Common mistakes
Issues we see often — and how structured preparation helps avoid them.
Nomination salary below requirements
Market salary and TSMIT thresholds must be met — underpayment risks refusal.
Mismatch between duties and occupation
The role must genuinely match the nominated ANZSCO code.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Services
Related visa services
Continue reading
Related resources
- Skills assessment guide
- English language requirements
- Fees & consultations
Published consultation fees
Planning employer sponsorship?
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