Employer Sponsorship

Overview

For lawfully operating Australian and overseas employers to sponsor and employ skilled workers who have recognised qualifications and skills/or experience in particular occupations required in Australia.

For skilled people to be employed in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis. Applicants for these visas seeking to work for an Australian employer must be sponsored by their employer.

Visa Options

Temporary Visas
For lawfully operating Australian and overseas employers to employ approved skilled workers for temporary vacancies in particular occupations required in Australia. Temporary visas can offer a pathway to a permanent visa.

Permanent Visas
For lawfully operating Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers in particular occupations required in Australia.

Skilled Workers Temporary Visa Options

Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa – Standard Business Sponsorship
A program for employers to sponsor approved skilled workers to work in Australia on a temporary visa. Employers can nominate a number of positions for different occupations under the same sponsorship application.

This is the most commonly used program for employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis. From 14 September 2009, under the Subclass 457 visa program, there are no special arrangements for employers in regional areas across Australia.

Employers can be either:

• Australian businesses
• Overseas businesses.

Skilled Workers Permanent Visa Options

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 121/856)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) enables employers to sponsor highly skilled workers to fill skilled vacancies in their business. Skilled workers can be recruited either from overseas, or from people temporarily in Australia. Employers must be lawfully operating in Australia, and the position must provide full time employment in Australia for at least three years and meet the Minimum Salary Level.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 119/857)
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) enables employers in regional and low population growth areas of Australia to sponsor highly skilled workers either from overseas, or from people temporarily in Australia to fill skilled vacancies in their business. Employers must be lawfully operating in Australia, and the position must provide full time employment in Australia for two years. Conditions of employment and wages must comply with Australian legislation and awards.