Employer-sponsored visas let Australian businesses recruit skilled overseas workers, with clear pathways from temporary to permanent residence. We assist both employers and employees through every stage.
Employer sponsorship is the most direct route into Australia for many skilled workers, with strong pathways to permanent residency.
Take up the sponsored role with your nominating employer.
Bring your spouse and dependent children with full work and study rights.
482 visas can lead to 186 permanent residency after qualifying employment.
Permanent visa holders gain immediate access to Medicare.
186 grants permanent residence; 482 lasts up to 4 years.
Permanent visas open the door to Australian citizenship.
A balanced view of what this visa offers and where its limits lie.
Different visas suit different employers, occupations, and locations. Most successful pathways combine 482 with a later 186.
| Subclass | Type | Sponsorship | Where You Work |
|---|---|---|---|
482Skill Shortage (TSS) | Temporary · up to 4 yrs | Approved business sponsor | Anywhere in Australia |
186Employer Nomination Scheme | Permanent | Approved business sponsor | Anywhere in Australia |
494Skilled Employer Regional | Temporary · 5 yrs | Regional employer + RCB approval | Designated regional area |
Many skilled workers start on a 482, then transition to 186 permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition stream after meeting the employment threshold.
Most applicants must satisfy these criteria. Some streams have additional requirements that we will assess in your consultation.
Important numbers to know before starting an employer-sponsored application.
The questions we hear most often. Need more detail? Book a consultation.
Yes, but the new employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor and lodge a new nomination for you. You generally have 60 days from leaving one employer to find a new one before your visa is at risk.
Not always. The Direct Entry stream of the 186 is open to skilled workers nominated by an approved employer without prior 482 service. The Temporary Residence Transition stream requires you to have worked on a 482 for the qualifying period.
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold is the minimum annual salary your nominated role must pay (currently AUD $73,150 plus annual indexation). Your actual salary must also be at the market rate for the position.
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants with full work and study rights.
From sponsorship application to visa grant, typically 4–9 months end-to-end — depending on whether the employer is already an approved SBS, occupation list, and Department workloads.
You generally have 60 days to find a new sponsor and have a new nomination lodged. Beyond that, your visa may be cancelled. We can guide you on next steps if this happens.
From your first call to visa grant, you have a registered migration agent guiding every step.
We assess your situation, identify the right pathway, and flag any risks before you commit. 100% refundable if you proceed with us.
We build your migration strategy, gather documentation, and prepare a strong, decision-ready application.
We lodge your application, manage all Department correspondence, and support you through to visa grant.
Book a consultation with our registered migration agents. 100% refundable when you proceed with us — so you can be confident in your investment.