Employer Sponsored Visa Melbourne
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If you are a skilled worker with a job offer from an Australian employer, or an Australian business looking to fill a position with an overseas worker, the employer sponsored visa pathway may be the right option. It is one of the more involved visa processes in the Australian immigration system, with obligations on both the employer and the employee that need to be managed carefully throughout.
At My Migration, our registered employer sponsored visa agents in Melbourne work with both employers and employees through every stage of the process. We handle the sponsorship application, the nomination, and the visa application, making sure all three components are correctly prepared and submitted without unnecessary delays.
Employer Sponsored Visa Australia — Which Subclass Applies to You?
Employer Sponsored Visa — Skills in Demand (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. It allows approved Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers for positions they cannot fill locally. The visa is temporary but provides a direct pathway to permanent residency for workers who meet the conditions over time.
The registered migration agents at My Migration assist both employers and workers through the Skills in Demand visa process — from confirming eligibility and identifying the correct stream, through to managing the full sponsorship, nomination, and visa application.
The Three Streams
The Skills in Demand visa operates through three separate streams, each targeting different skill levels and salary ranges. The occupation, salary, and employer situation determine which stream applies.
Labour Agreement Stream
For industries or employers with specific workforce needs that fall outside the standard streams. A formal labour agreement must be negotiated and approved between the employer and the Department of Home Affairs before a nomination can be lodged.
Key Eligibility Requirements
- Sponsored by an approved Australian employer for a genuine skilled position
- At least one year of relevant work experience at a skilled level, gained within the last five years
- Occupation and salary meet the requirements of the relevant stream
- Competent English as a minimum — higher levels may be required depending on the occupation
- Under 45 years of age for most streams
- Meet health and character requirements
Pathway to Permanent Residency
After working for the sponsoring employer for at least two years on a valid Skills in Demand visa, workers may be eligible to apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) via the Temporary Residence Transition stream, which grants permanent residency in Australia.
For Employers
Becoming an approved sponsor involves demonstrating that the business is actively operating and that genuine attempts have been made to fill the role with suitable Australian workers first — known as Labour Market Testing. Sponsor obligations continue for the life of the sponsorship and include paying the worker at the agreed rate, keeping prescribed records, and notifying the Department of any changes to the role or employment.
The team at My Migration assists employers with the full sponsorship process, nomination preparation, and ongoing compliance obligations.
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa
The Subclass 186 is a permanent visa that allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent positions. There are three streams: the Temporary Residence Transition stream (for holders of a Subclass 482 visa who have worked for their sponsoring employer for at least three years), the Direct Entry stream (for applicants who have not held a 482 visa or who are applying from outside Australia), and the Labour Agreement stream.
The Subclass 186 is the most common pathway to permanent residency through employer sponsorship, and it is one we manage regularly for both employers and employees.
Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Subclass 494 is a provisional visa that allows businesses operating in regional Australia to sponsor skilled overseas workers for roles that cannot be filled by Australian workers locally. It is valid for five years and requires the visa holder to live and work in a designated regional area. After three years, eligible holders may apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa. Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of application, hold competent English, and have at least three years of relevant work experience.
What Are the Obligations?
Employer sponsored visas come with ongoing obligations for both parties that last for the duration of the visa. Employers must pay the sponsored worker at least the market salary rate for the occupation, maintain their sponsorship obligations, and not recover sponsorship costs from the worker. They must also keep the Department informed of any changes in the worker’s employment situation.
Employees must work in the occupation nominated in their visa application and for the sponsoring employer. Changing employers or occupations generally requires a new nomination or a new visa application. Understanding these obligations from the outset is important, and our agents make sure both the employer and employee are fully aware of what is required before the process begins.
Our Employer Sponsored Visa Melbourne Service
The employer sponsored visa process involves three separate applications: the sponsorship application for the employer, the nomination for the specific position, and the visa application for the employee. All three must be correct and consistent with each other. Any discrepancy between them can cause delays or refusals.
We manage the full process for our clients. For employers, we prepare and lodge the sponsorship and nomination applications, advise on the labour market testing requirements, and make sure the salary and position details meet the Department’s requirements. For employees, we prepare the visa application, gather the required documentation, and liaise with the Department throughout the processing period.
We also advise employees on their pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186, including the timing requirements and what they need to maintain during their temporary visa period to be eligible.
FAQ's
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. The subclass number remains 482, but the streams, occupation lists, and salary thresholds have all changed under the new framework.
The Specialist Skills stream is for high-earning roles above $141,210 per year and has no occupation list requirement. The Core Skills stream covers 456 occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) with a minimum salary of $76,515 per year. Most sponsored workers apply under the Core Skills stream.
Yes. After two years working for the sponsoring employer on a valid Skills in Demand visa, workers can apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) via the Temporary Residence Transition stream for permanent residency.
Depending on the stream, holders may stay in Australia for up to four years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay for up to five years.
Processing times vary. The nomination application currently takes four to seven months. The visa application under the Core Skills stream takes four to seven months, while the Specialist Skills stream is significantly faster at eleven days to fifty-three days.
