Australian Employer Sponsored Visas
The Australian employer-sponsored visas enable employers to address skills shortages by hiring overseas workers if they can not fill a position locally.
Employer Sponsored visa options for Australia
There are temporary and permanent employer sponsored visas options available and the following factors will determine which visa you may be eligible for:
- The employer and their location;
- Your age and English competency;
- If your occupation is on the STSOL, MLTSSL or ROL skilled list;
- If you have the relevant qualifications and experience.
The following information provides a summary of each employer-sponsored visa category.
Subclass 186 visa – Employer Nomination Scheme
The Subclass 186 visa is permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.
There are 3 streams available under Sc 186 visa:
- The Direct Entry stream is for applicants whose occupation is on the MLTSSL, who have a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation and have at least three years of employment at the required skilled level.
- The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream is for Sc 482 visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for at least 2 years.
- The Labour Agreement Stream is for applicants who are sponsored by an employer under a labour agreement, providing the Sc 186 visa was included as an option in the negotiated labour agreement under Sc 482 visa.
Sc 186 visa holders can:
- stay in Australia indefinitely (with valid travel conditions)
- work in Australia
- study in Australia as a domestic student
- receive free or subsidised health care at publicly funded health services (Medicare)
- receive free education at state-run primary and secondary schools, and subsidised fees for domestic students at private schools and tertiary institutions
- be a sponsor for eligible relatives to come to Australia
- if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship
Subclass 482 visa – Skills in Demand Visa (SID)
Subclass 482 also known as the SID Visa (Skills In Demand) is a temporary work visa designed to provide Australian employers with an opportunity to fill vacancies with overseas skilled workers if an adequately skilled Australian citizens or permanent residents cannot be sourced for the role offered.
The SID visa allows a stay in Australia for up to 4 years. It also offers a pathway to permanent residency. The SID visa provides a clearer path to permanent residence for skilled workers after working in Australia for 2 years. Any work with an approved employer counts towards permanent residence.
There are 3 streams available under Sc 482 visa:
Core Skills Stream
This stream focuses on occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) with targeted workforce needs. Occupations in construction, healthcare, agriculture, and cybersecurity are highlighted. See more on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Specialist Skills Stream
This stream is aimed at highly skilled professionals in any occupation on the ANZSCO 2022, excluding ANZSCO Major Group levels 3, 7, and 8 (such as trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers). These applicants must earn at least AUD 135,000 per year.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is transitioning into the Essential Skills Stream, which addresses occupations with critical shortages based on specific labour agreements between employers and the Australian government.
Subclass 494 visa – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
Sc 494 visa allows skilled migrants to be sponsored by an employer in regional Australia for up to five years to address identified skill shortages within the employer’s region. It provides a pathway to residence after 3 years of employment.
There are 2 streams available under Sc 494 visa: Employer Stream and Labour Agreement Stream, both allowing stay for up to 5 years and transition to residence.
Sc 484 visa holders can:
- live and work in regional Australia for up to five years
- study in regional Australia (foreign student fees will apply)
- travel to and from Australia during the validity of your visa
- enrol in publicly funded health services (Medicare)
- apply for residence after 3 years through Sc 191 visa – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
The 191 Visa – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa is designed for individuals who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia for at least three years on an eligible regional visa. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency, allowing successful applicants and their families to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
Once granted, this visa allows you to:
- Live and work anywhere in Australia permanently
- Access Medicare and government benefits
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
- Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
Not sure what visa is right for you?
Take our online eligibility assessment or get in touch with our team!
