Sponsoring an Overseas Worker
Sponsoring an Overseas Worker
Got Questions About Australian Immigration?
Answers to common questions, based on current Department of Home Affairs requirements.
Our FAQ section is designed to address the most common questions about Australian immigration.
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To sponsor a worker on a Skills in Demand visa, a business generally needs to:
- be lawfully operating and approved as a standard business sponsor
- nominate a genuine position in an eligible occupation
- pay at least the market salary rate and meet the relevant income threshold
- complete labour market testing, unless an exemption applies
- Become a sponsor: apply for standard business sponsorship.
- Test the labour market: advertise the role where required.
- Nominate the position: lodge the nomination and pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
- Visa application: the worker applies for the visa.
- Ongoing compliance: meet your sponsor obligations for as long as you sponsor the worker.
- Standard business sponsorship: AUD420
- Skills in Demand nomination: AUD330 (Employer Nomination Scheme nomination: AUD540)
- Skilling Australians Fund levy: AUD1,200 or AUD1,800 per year for a 482 worker, depending on business turnover
- Visa application charge (paid by the worker unless you agree otherwise): from AUD4,015
Sponsorship and nomination costs can’t be passed on to the worker. Figures current at September 2026.
Yes, often through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream. The worker usually needs at least 2 years of full-time sponsored employment with the nominating employer, within the last 3 years, and must be nominated by the employer who last sponsored them. They must also have Competent English and be under 45, unless an exemption applies.
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