Employer-Sponsored/Work Visa

What is Employer-Sponsored/Work Visa?

Employer-sponsored visas allow skilled workers to live and work in Australia with the support of an approved Australian employer. These visas suit professionals who have in-demand skills and a genuine job offer, as well as Australian businesses seeking to sponsor overseas talent to address skill shortages.

At JS Migration, we assist both visa applicants and sponsoring employers, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and a smooth end-to-end process.

Employer-Sponsored/Work Visas

Detailed Breakdown for Work Visa Subclasses

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

Subclass 186

Permanent Residency Through Employer Sponsorship.

The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an approved Australian employer. It is one of the most direct pathways to permanent residency, offering long-term stability and the freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.

This visa is particularly suitable for experienced professionals who have the skills Australia needs and who are seeking a secure future with the support of an employer.

Permanent residency from the time the visa is granted
Live and work anywhere in Australia without restrictions
Access to Medicare and social security benefits
Sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia
Pathway to Australian citizenship

It is designed for professionals who have the skills and experience required to contribute long-term to the Australian workforce.

Employer-nominated permanent visa
Designed for skilled professionals with relevant experience
Full work rights without employer restrictions once granted

Applicants must generally:

Be nominated by an approved Australian employer
Have relevant skills, qualifications, and work experience
Hold a positive skills assessment (if required)
Meet English language, health, and character requirements
Meet age requirements (unless exempt)

Employers must:

Offer a genuine, full-time position
Meet salary, training, and compliance obligations

Eligibility assessment for employer and applicant
Nomination application lodged by employer
Visa application submitted by applicant
Health, character, and skills assessment checks
Visa decision

Different ENS streams may apply depending on work history
Accurate alignment between the role and occupation is critical

Skills In Demand (SID) Visa

Subclass 482

Temporary Work Visa with Pathways to PR.

The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482), formerly known as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, allows skilled workers to temporarily work in Australia for an approved employer. It is designed to address labour shortages while offering potential pathways to permanent residency for eligible applicants.

Work in Australia for an approved employer
Flexible stay durations depending on the stream
Include eligible family members in your application
Full work rights for the primary applicant
Pathway options to permanent residency

Employer-sponsored temporary visa
Occupation-based eligibility
Supports multiple industries and skill levels

Applicants must:

Be nominated by an approved sponsor
Have relevant skills and work experience
Meet English language, health, and character requirements

Employers must:

Hold Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval
Offer genuine positions with fair salary
Comply with Australian workplace laws

Employer obtains or holds SBS approval
Employer lodges nomination
Applicant submits visa application
Health and character checks
Visa decision

Visa holders are restricted to working for their sponsoring employer. Early planning is essential if you intend to transition to permanent residency.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

Subclass 494

Regional Pathway with Permanent Residency Options.

The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional regional visa designed to address skill shortages in designated regional areas. It encourages skilled workers to settle in regional Australia, offering a clear pathway to permanent residency.

Live, work, and study in regional Australia
Stay for up to 5 years
Priority processing for regional visas
Pathway to permanent residency
Include eligible family members

Employer-sponsored regional visa
Targets regional skill shortages
Encourages long-term settlement in regional areas

Applicants must:

Be nominated by an eligible regional employer
Hold a positive skills assessment
Meet work experience and English requirements
Satisfy health and character requirements

Employers must:

Operate in a designated regional area
Offer genuine, full-time positions
Meet sponsorship and salary obligations

Skills assessment and eligibility check
Employer lodges nomination
Applicant submits visa application
Health and character checks
Visa decision

Visa holders must comply with regional residence and work conditions to qualify for permanent residency later.

Training Visa

Subclass 407

Skill Development Through Structured Training.

The Training visa (Subclass 407) is a temporary visa for individuals undertaking structured workplace-based training programs in Australia. It is designed to enhance occupational skills or support professional development.

Stay in Australia for up to 2 years
Participate in approved training programs
Gain valuable Australian workplace experience
Include eligible family members

Sponsored training visa
Focused on skill enhancement and career development
Only for structured training programs

Applicants must:

Be sponsored by an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor
Have skills and experience relevant to the training
Meet English language, health, and character requirements

Sponsors must:

Provide a structured and compliant training plan
Meet sponsorship and monitoring obligations

Sponsor approval (if required)
Nomination of training program
Visa application submission
Health and character checks
Visa decision

This visa does not directly lead to permanent residency. It is intended for skill development and career progression.

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

Employers Sponsoring Overseas Workers

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) is not a visa but a framework that allows Australian businesses to sponsor overseas skilled workers under employer-sponsored visa programs.

Authority to sponsor skilled overseas workers
Ability to lodge multiple nominations and visa applications
Supports workforce planning and business growth
Valid for several years

Mandatory requirement for most employer-sponsored visas
Applies across a wide range of skilled occupations
Provides ongoing sponsorship privileges

Businesses must:

Be lawfully operating in Australia
Demonstrate a genuine need for overseas workers
Meet sponsorship and compliance obligations

Business eligibility assessment
SBS application submission
Sponsorship approval
Nomination and visa applications

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Employer-Sponsored Visa Process

Employer-sponsored visas are one of the most reliable pathways for skilled professionals to live and work in Australia. They allow Australian businesses to address skill shortages while giving overseas workers the opportunity to build a secure future.

Whether you are seeking permanent residency through the ENS 186, a temporary work opportunity with the SID 482, a regional pathway via the 494, or structured training under the 407, the process follows a clear sequence. Employers and applicants each play an important role, and understanding the steps involved helps ensure a smooth application journey.

Stage 1 - Employer Preparation

Employer assesses workforce needs
Business applies for Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) (if not already approved)
Employer ensures compliance with salary, training, and workplace obligations

Stage 2 - Position & Nomination

Employer identifies a genuine, full-time position aligned with eligible occupations
Employer lodges a nomination application for the chosen visa category:
ENS 186 (permanent)
SID 482 (temporary)
Regional 494 (provisional)
Training 407 (structured training)

Stage 3 - Applicant Eligibility Check

Applicant confirms skills, qualifications, and work experience
Skills assessment obtained (if required)
English language requirements met
Health and character checks prepared
Age requirements considered (for ENS 186, unless exempt)

Stage 4 - Visa Application

Applicant submits visa application after nomination approval
Supporting documents provided (skills, employment history, English, health, character)
Family members included if eligible

Stage 5 - Assessment & Decision

Department of Home Affairs reviews employer nomination and applicant visa application
Health, character, and compliance checks completed
Visa decision issued

Stage 6 - After Visa Grant

ENS 186: Immediate permanent residency, full work rights, pathway to citizenship
SID 482: Temporary work rights with potential PR pathways
Regional 494: Provisional stay in regional Australia, pathway to PR after compliance
Training 407: Temporary stay for training, no direct PR pathway
SBS: Employer retains ongoing sponsorship rights for future nominations

Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) _ JS Migration

Application & Documentation

Tips from JS Migration

Applying for an employer-sponsored visa can feel overwhelming, but careful preparation makes all the difference.

Here are our key recommendations to help you navigate the process smoothly:

For Applicants

Organise your documents early – gather qualifications, work references, skills assessments, and English test results before starting.
Check accuracy and consistency – ensure your CV, references, and application details align with your nominated occupation.
Highlight relevant experience – employers and case officers look for clear evidence that your skills match the role.
Prepare for health and character checks – book medicals promptly and obtain police clearances from all relevant countries.
Plan for family inclusion – if adding family members, prepare their documents (passports, birth/marriage certificates, health checks).

For Employers

Confirm SBS approval – ensure your business sponsorship is current or apply if required.
Provide a genuine position description – the role must match the nominated occupation and reflect actual business needs.
Meet salary and compliance obligations – offer market-rate pay and maintain workplace law compliance.
Prepare training benchmarks (if applicable) – demonstrate investment in workforce development.
Keep records ready – business registration, financials, and compliance documents may be requested during assessment.

We help you structure your application so it meets Department of Home Affairs requirements. We review your documents to ensure consistency and compliance. We advise on pathways to permanent residency where available. We provide ongoing support to both employers and applicants throughout the process.