Employer Sponsored Visa
(Subclass 482, Subclass 494, Subclass 186)
Australia’s employer sponsored visa programs allow Australian businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill positions that cannot be filled by the local labour market.
These visa programs are designed to support Australian employers facing skill shortages while providing overseas professionals with opportunities to work and potentially settle in Australia.
General Employer Sponsored Migration Process
Employer sponsored migration generally involves three key stages (except the Subclass 186 visa, which has only nomination and visa application stages):
1. Sponsorship – the employer must first be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (or have an approved labour agreement).
2. Nomination – the employer nominates a specific position to be filled by an overseas worker.
3. Visa Application – the nominated worker applies for the relevant visa.
2. Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa
The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently after being nominated by an Australian employer.
This visa is commonly used by temporary skilled workers who wish to transition to permanent residency after working for their sponsoring employer.
There are mainly three streams under this visa category:
• Temporary Residence Transition Stream
• Direct Entry Stream
• Labour Agreement Stream
Sponsorship and Nomination
• For the Subclass 186 visa, the employer must nominate the overseas worker for a permanent position within the business.
• The employer must demonstrate that the position is genuine and ongoing, the position is full-time, the salary meets Australian market salary standards, and the business has a genuine need for the position.
Visa Application – Streams of the Subclass 186 Visa
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
This stream is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers who are sponsored and nominated by their current Australian employer to live and work in Australia indefinitely.
This visa provides permanent residency, allowing holders to work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, travel in and out of Australia for five years, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
• To be eligible, applicants must generally hold a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa (or an eligible bridging visa).
• Have worked in eligible full-time sponsored employment for at least two years within the previous three years for the nominating employer.
• Be nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination has been approved within six months before the visa application.
• Usually be under 45 years of age.
• Demonstrate competent English.
• Possess the skills and qualifications required for the nominated occupation.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• You must apply for the visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved.
• Eligible family members can be included in the visa application.
Direct Entry Stream
This stream is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer to live and work in Australia indefinitely.
This visa provides permanent residency and allows holders to work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, travel to and from Australia for five years, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
• To be eligible, applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia.
• The nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
• Applicants are generally required to be under 45 years of age.
• Have at least three years of relevant work experience.
• Obtain a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation (unless exempt).
• Demonstrate competent English.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• The visa application must usually be lodged within six months of the employer’s nomination being approved.
• Eligible family members may be included in the application.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer to live and work in Australia indefinitely when the employer is operating under an approved labour agreement with the Australian Government.
This visa grants permanent residency and allows holders to work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, travel in and out of Australia for five years, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship.
• To be eligible, applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer who is a party to a labour agreement and whose business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia.
• The applicant must currently work, or intend to work, for that employer under the labour agreement.
• Applicants must also meet the age, English language, skills, qualifications, and experience requirements specified in the relevant labour agreement.
• Usually be under 45 years of age unless the agreement provides otherwise.
• Satisfy health and character requirements.
• Eligible family members may be included in the visa application.
What You Can Do with a Subclass 186 Visa
• Live and work in Australia permanently
• Enrol in Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare)
• Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency
• Travel to and from Australia for five years
• Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible
Family Members
• Applicants may include eligible family members, such as partners and dependent children, in their visa application.
• Family members who are included in the application will receive the same visa status as the primary applicant.