Australian employers who are unable to fill their skills needs locally may be able to sponsor skilled overseas employees to work in Australia on either a temporary or permanent basis.

There are three types of employer sponsored visas:

Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa

The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (referred as TSS-482 visa) is a temporary visa. An employer wishing to sponsor a skilled labour for a TSS-482 visa has to first apply to become a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). Once approved as a SBS, the employer will be able to nominate a skilled overseas employee for a TSS-482 visa. Depending on the sponsored applicant’s nominated occupation and whether Australia’s international trade obligations apply, a visa period of 2 to 4 years may be granted to the nominated applicant.

One of the requirements for a TSS-482 is that visa applicant needs to have 2 years of relevant working experience in the nominated occupation.

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS-186) is a permanent visa. It allows an employer to sponsor an overseas employee whose skills is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.

One of the requirements for a ENS-186 is that visa applicant needs to have 3 years of relevant post-qualification full-time working experience in the nominated occupation.

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa is a 5-year provisional visa. You need to have 3 years of relevant post-qualification full-time working experience and also a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation. It provides a transitional pathway to a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa.

All these visas have English and Age requirements.

Please contact us to discuss what type of employer sponsored visa best suited your needs.


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