How long does it take to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor?

SBS approval typically takes 4–8 weeks from lodgement of a complete application. We prepare your application to maximise the quality of your submission — complex cases or businesses with a compliance history may take longer.

Can I sponsor workers in any occupation?

No. Each employer-sponsored visa has an approved occupation list. The 482 visa uses the MLTSSL and STSOL lists (Short-Term and Medium-Long Term Strategic Skill Lists). The 186 visa (Direct Entry) uses the MLTSSL. The 494 uses a broader regional list. We check your specific role against the current lists as part of our assessment.

What is the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy and who pays it?

The SAF levy is a training levy paid by the employer — not the worker. For small businesses (turnover under $10M), it's $1,200 per year per worker sponsored. For standard businesses it's $1,800 per year. You pay for the full visa period upfront. Critically, you cannot recover this cost from the sponsored worker.

What happens if I need to terminate a sponsored worker's employment?

You must notify DHA within 28 days of the worker's employment ceasing. You may also be liable to pay reasonable costs of the sponsored worker's return travel to their home country. We advise sponsors on their obligations before and when employment ends.

Can a sponsored worker change employers?

A 482 visa holder can change to a new sponsor — but the new employer must apply for sponsorship and nomination in their own right. The worker cannot work for an unapproved employer under any circumstances.

Is there a limit on how many workers I can sponsor?

There is no formal cap on the number of workers an approved sponsor can nominate, provided each nomination meets the genuine position, market salary rate, and occupation list requirements. However, large-scale sponsorship programmes may attract additional scrutiny.

What is Labour Market Testing and when is it required?

Labour Market Testing (LMT) requires you to demonstrate you advertised the position locally before sponsoring an overseas worker. LMT is generally required for 482 nominations (with limited exemptions) and some 186 Direct Entry nominations. We guide you through LMT requirements so your nomination is not refused on procedural grounds.

Employers · 482 / 186Sponsoring staff? Employer readiness discussion — no charge.Request a discussion

Employer Sponsored

Employer Sponsored
Visas

Everything employers and skilled workers need to know about sponsoring or being sponsored under Australia's employer-sponsored migration system.

General information current as at August 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

Book an Employer Consultation Skills in Demand (482) →

Quick Answer

Australian employer-sponsored visas include the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) temporary visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) permanent visa, as Nanak Migration Group, a registered migration agent (MARN 2619467), explains. Most pathways start with Standard Business Sponsorship, then nomination. Related guides cover the 482 to PR pathway and the 186 occupations list.

Reviewed by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619467)

Last reviewed: July 2026

Employer Sponsored Visas

Employer Sponsored Visa Subclasses

Temporary, permanent, or regional — each visa is designed for different business circumstances and workforce planning goals.

Most Common

Subclass 482

Skills in Demand

The go-to visa for businesses needing to fill skill gaps quickly. Sponsor overseas workers in approved occupations while they build a pathway to permanent residence.

Duration

Up to 4 years

PR Pathway

Yes — via 186

Stream

Medium-term or Short-term

Min Salary

$73,150 (2024–25)

Permanent Residency

Subclass 186

Employer Nomination Scheme

Nominate a skilled worker for permanent residence directly, or via the Temporary Residence Transition stream after 3 years on a 482 visa.

Duration

Permanent

PR Pathway

This IS PR

Stream

Direct Entry or TRT

Min Salary

$73,150 (2024–25)

Regional

Subclass 494

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional

Sponsor skilled workers to live and work in designated regional Australia. Stronger occupation lists and a clear pathway to permanent residence via Subclass 191.

Duration

5 years

PR Pathway

Yes — via 191 after 3 yrs

Stream

Employer Sponsored

Min Salary

$73,150 (2024–25)

Government Fee Estimator

Know your costs before you commit

Real 2024–25 DHA fee data. Adjust the inputs to estimate total government charges for your sponsorship. Agent fees are shown separately as a range.

Visa Subclass

Business Size (SAF Levy)

Number of Workers: 1

Visa Duration (years): 2

Secondary Adult Applicants: 0

Child Applicants: 0

Estimated Government Charges

$5,515

+ agent fees est. $3,500 – $6,000

Fee Breakdown2024–25 DHA rates

SAF Levy (1 worker × 2 yrs × $1,200/yr)

Skilling Australians Fund — non-refundable

$2,400

Visa Application Fee (1 primary)

Per applicant including family members

$3,115

Agent Fees (estimate — 1 worker)

Varies by complexity — SBS + nominations + visa

~$4,750

Total estimated cost

$10,265

Estimates only. Government fees change periodically. Health insurance (OVHC), skills assessment, English test, and medicals are not included. Contact us for a precise quote.

Figures current as at 1 July 2026 — verify with Home Affairs.

The Process

From decision to visa grant — what to expect

Employer sponsorship happens in three distinct phases. We manage all three concurrently where possible to reduce total elapsed time.

Compliance

Employer obligations you must meet

Approved sponsors have ongoing legal obligations. Breaches can result in sanctions, cancellation, and bars on future sponsorship. We brief every client employer thoroughly before work commences.

DHA Compliance Checks

The Department of Home Affairs conducts unannounced workplace inspections of approved sponsors. Non-compliance penalties include fines up to $93,900 per breach.

Pay Market Salary Rate

Critical

You must pay the sponsored worker at least the annual market salary rate — or the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), whichever is higher.

Equivalent Terms & Conditions

Critical

The sponsored worker's employment conditions must not be less favourable than those you'd offer an equivalent Australian citizen in the same role.

Cooperate with Inspectors

You must allow DHA inspectors access to your premises and records to verify compliance with sponsorship obligations.

Keep Records

Maintain records of all employment terms, payslips, and taxation documents for each sponsored worker for the duration of sponsorship.

Notify DHA of Changes

Notify the Department of Home Affairs within 28 days of changes to the sponsored worker's employment: termination, role change, location change.

No Cost Recovery from Worker

Critical

You cannot make the sponsored worker pay or reimburse you for any sponsorship-related costs — including the Skilling Australians Fund levy.

Case Studies

Employers we've helped sponsor

Technology

SaaS Scale-up — Melbourne

80 staff

Challenge

Critical shortage of senior software engineers. Local recruitment yielded 3 candidates in 6 months — none suitable.

Solution

482 Skills in Demand (SID) visas for 4 engineers from India and the Philippines. Standard Business Sponsorship obtained in 5 weeks, nominations processed in 3 weeks each.

Outcome

All 4 engineers joined within 6 months of decision to sponsor. Two are now transitioning to 186 permanent residence via the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

⏱ 5 months to first visa grant

482186 (in progress)

Healthcare

Aged Care Provider — Regional SA

240 staff

Challenge

Persistent shortage of registered nurses in a designated regional area. High agency costs and poor continuity of care.

Solution

494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visas for 8 nurses from the Philippines. Employer received regional concessions on occupation list requirements.

Outcome

All 8 nurses in place within 7 months. Average agency cost saving of $65,000 per nurse per year. Three nurses have now applied for Subclass 191 permanent residence.

⏱ 7 months to all grants

494191 (3 workers)

FAQ

Questions employers ask us most

Ready to build your workforce with employer sponsorship?

Book a free 30-minute consultation with Navpreet Aulakh (MARN 2619467). We'll assess your position, recommend the right visa pathway, and outline next steps — at no obligation.

Consultations in HindiConsultations in PunjabiConsultations in English

Book Free Consultation Back to Home

General information only — not immigration advice

About this information

This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.

No outcome representation

Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.

Get personal advice

Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.

Employer Sponsored
Visas

Everything employers and skilled workers need to know about sponsoring or being sponsored under Australia's employer-sponsored migration system.

General information current as at August 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

Know your costs before you commit

Real 2024–25 DHA fee data. Adjust the inputs to estimate total government charges for your sponsorship. Agent fees are shown separately as a range.

Visa Subclass

Business Size (SAF Levy)

Number of Workers: 1

Visa Duration (years): 2

Secondary Adult Applicants: 0

Child Applicants: 0

Employer obligations you must meet

Approved sponsors have ongoing legal obligations. Breaches can result in sanctions, cancellation, and bars on future sponsorship. We brief every client employer thoroughly before work commences.

DHA Compliance Checks

The Department of Home Affairs conducts unannounced workplace inspections of approved sponsors. Non-compliance penalties include fines up to $93,900 per breach.