Becoming a sponsor

How can I become a sponsor?

To become a sponsor of migrant workers in Australia, an employer must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS).

There are several steps to becoming approved. Australian Shores' migration agents can help check eligibility, and prepare and submit the application on your behalf. Once the employer is an approved sponsor, they can then nominate skilled workers for the relevant visa program.

What are the criteria to become a sponsor?

Employers must meet certain requirements to be eligible to become an approved sponsor, including being a lawfully operating business, having no adverse information against the business or any associated individuals, and being able to comply with sponsorship obligations.

Australian Shores can put together a sponsorship application. We would apply for Approved Business Sponsorship on your behalf in order for you to be able to sponsor prospective overseas employees on the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) or the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) and act on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, along with the required supporting documentation.

Request a sponsorship assessment

---

Step by step process for employers

1. Approval to Sponsor

To begin sponsoring, your business must first be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). This means demonstrating that:

• Your business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia.
• You have the financial capacity and integrity to fulfil sponsorship obligations.
• You will commit to employing the visa holder under a valid written contract.

2. Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Before nominating a position, you generally must prove that you couldn't find a suitable Australian worker. Until recently, this involved advertising through Workforce Australia. However, since December 2023, this is no longer mandatory, reducing red tape while still expecting evidence of fair effort to hire locally.

3. Nominate the Position

As a sponsor, you must submit a nomination application specifying that the position:

• Is genuine and full-time.
• Aligns with the appropriate ANZSCO occupation code.
• Meets the salary and market requirements.

If you’re sponsoring under a Labour Agreement, ensure your agreement is valid and that the position fits within its terms.

4. The Role of Accredited Sponsorship

Becoming an Accredited Sponsor offers advantages:

• Priority visa processing.
• Faster application turnaround.
  If your business plans to sponsor multiple skilled workers regularly, applying for accredited status may be worth it.

5. Key Ongoing Sponsorship Obligations

It's important to note that being a sponsor comes with certain obligations, such as ensuring that sponsored workers are paid the market salary rate, providing training and development opportunities, and keeping accurate records.

Some employers who sponsor foreign workers are also required to contribute to the SAF (Skilling Australians Funds).

More info on the SAF

---

Key points

Sponsoring a skilled worker in Australia presents a great opportunity but it comes with responsibility. From ensuring you've met sponsorship requirements to correctly nominating the position and managing ongoing obligations, staying compliant is key.

Partnering with an experienced migration agency, like Australian Shores, ensures all criteria are met efficiently and accurately. We guide businesses through each step from sponsorship setup to compliance so you can focus on growing your team with confidence.