Employer Sponsored

The current situation of on-going skill shortages across a number of industry sectors has resulted in Australian employers seeking suitably qualified personnel from overseas to fulfill existing contracts or to meet new business commitments.
  • Home
  • Employer Sponsored

Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) allows employers to address labour shortages by sponsoring skilled workers when suitably qualified Australian workers are unavailable.

Core Skills Stream

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Be nominated to work in an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
  • Have at least one year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field
  • Obtain a relevant skills assessment if required for the occupation
  • Meet the minimum English language proficiency standards, unless exempt

Stay Duration:

  • Up to four years

Specialist Skills Stream

This stream is designed for highly skilled workers whose occupation is classified under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), excluding occupations in Major Groups 3, 7, and 8, where the nominated salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Be nominated for an occupation classified under ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 with a salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold
  • Have at least one year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field
  • Obtain a relevant skills assessment if required for the occupation
  • Meet the minimum English language proficiency standards, unless exempt

Stay Duration:

  • Up to four years

Pathway to Permanent Residence

Holders of the Subclass 482 visa may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.

Source: Department of Home Affairs
Last updated: 1 Mar 2025

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) allows skilled workers, who have been nominated by an Australian employer, to live and work permanently in Australia.

Basic Eligibility Criteria:

  • Be under 45 years of age
  • Possess the necessary skills for the nominated position
  • Be nominated by an Australian employer
  • Meet health and character requirements

Direct Entry (DE) Stream

The Direct Entry Stream allows skilled workers nominated by their employer to live and work permanently in Australia.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Be under 45 years of age at the time of application, unless exempt
  • Be nominated for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
  • Have at least three years of relevant work experience
  • Obtain a positive skills assessment before lodging the application
  • Meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements, unless exempt
  • Satisfy the health and character requirements

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

This stream is designed for skilled workers who are already employed in Australia under a Subclass 482 or a Subclass 457 Visa and wish to transition to permanent residency.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Hold a Subclass 457, Subclass 482, or an eligible Bridging Visa
  • Have worked full-time in eligible sponsored employment for at least two years while holding a Subclass 457 or 482 Visa
  • Have been nominated by an Australian employer, with the nomination approved within the six months prior to applying.

Source: Department of Home Affairs
Last updated: 1 Mar 2025

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)

The Subclass 494 Visa is a provisional visa that allows regional employers to sponsor skilled workers to address labour shortages in designated regional areas where suitably qualified Australian workers are unavailable.

Key Benefits:

  • Stay in Australia for up to five years
  • Live, work, and study exclusively in designated regional areas
  • Apply for permanent residency after three years from the visa grant date

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Be nominated by an approved work sponsor
  • Have an occupation listed on a relevant skilled occupation list
  • Obtain a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation
  • Be under 45 years of age at the time of application
  • Meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements, unless exempt

Source: Department of Home Affairs
Last updated: 1 Mar 2025