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Employer Sponsorship

Employing Overseas Workers

At Australian Visa Group we understand the urgency to get the right personnel working in your business.   When you are considering employing overseas workers in Australia, you want the right advice, your applications given thorough consideration and to have direct access to your dedicated migration agent.   At Australian Visa Group we have over 20 years’ experience obtaining sponsorship approvals, managing nominations and submissions of visa applications.

Our migration agents have experience working with start ups, national and multi national companies.  You will be provided with ongoing advice and support.  Your requirements will be clearly explained, applications submitted and visas approved.

Employing Overseas Workers – Temporary Employer Sponsored Visa Options

Further details for each visa subclass are provided in the above links.   A brief summary is below.

The 482 visa enables eligible employers to address short-to-medium-term skill shortages in their business that cannot be filled from the local labour market.  The 482 visa programme is the most commonly used Australian visa programme to sponsor overseas skilled workers on a temporary basis.    482 visas may be granted for a stay of up to 4 years.

The 494 visa is a temporary visa valid for 5 years.  After the applicant has worked for the nominating employer for 3 years, whilst holding a 494 visa, they may qualify for a permanent 191 visa without further employer sponsorship.

The 400 visa is for short term, usually highly specailised work for a maximum stay of 3 – 6 months.

The 407 training visa is useful for applicants who do not have the 2 years work experience required for a 482 visa.

The 408 visa covers a range of temporary work arrangements including the recent Covid Event Visa.

Employing Overseas Workers – Permanent Employer Sponsored Visas Options:

The Employer Sponsored Migration programme allows employers to nominate foreign workers for permanent residence to fill genuine vacancies in their business.

There are three streams within the 186 visa:

  • The temporary residence transition 
  • The direct entry stream
  • The Labour agreement stream

Temporary residence transition is suitable for visa applicant’s who have worked for their nominating employer for 3 years, whilst holding a 482 visa, and wish to be sponsored for a further permanent 186 visa.   The benefit of applying via transition, is that the applicant does not require a skill assessment.

Direct entry stream requires the visa applicant to obtain a skill assessment and have 3 years work experience, with any employer, prior to submission.

Labour Agreement stream is for employer’s who already nominated their 482 visa holders under a Labour Agreement.  A Labour Agreement provides an avenue for employers to negotiate or change the criteria of the standard 482 visa pathway.

Processing Times

Standard Business Sponsorship Processing times (SBS)

Processing times by the Department of Home Affairs fluctuates.   DHA post their current processing standards on their website.    On average, most Standard Business Sponsorship applications are processed within 1 week – 2 months from date of lodgement.

482 Visa Processing Times

482 nomination processing times by the Department of Home Affairs fluctuate.   On average, most 482 visa applications are processed in 1 day –  80 days from date of lodgement.

482 Nomination Processing Times

We often lodge the SBS, nomination and 482 visa application at the same time.   Therefore the entire application process is finalised in 1 – 3 months.    For a nomination transfer, where an existing 457 or 482 visa holders wants to be sponsored by a new employer, the nomination is usually processed in 1 week.

Processing time vary due to DHA workloads, case officer availability, complexity of the case, quality of supporting evidence submitted and whether any background character or medical issues are identified.

Bridging Visa for Onshore 482 Applications

If the visa applicant holds a valid visa and is onshore at the time of 482 visa lodgement, they may be issued a Bridging Visa.    The Bridging visa will become active only when their current visa expires.  Their bridging visa may or may not have work rights.   This will depend on the visa they held at the time they lodged their 482 visa application.   Our migration agents will be able to confirm the conditions that will be attached to your applicant’s bridging visa.  If the applicant does not have work rights on their bridging visa, the applicant cannot start working for the new sponsor until the SBS, 482 Nomination and 482 visa application has been approved.

It is important an applicant does not work on a Bridging visa if they do not have work rights.   Doing so would be in breach of their visa conditions and employers can face heavy penalties.    We encourage employers and visa applicants to obtain expert advice from a registered migration agent before commencing employment.

Corporate Migration Services

Australian Visa Group provides accurate migration advice and manages a range of visa applications to ensure our clients obtain their Australian residency.  Our Migration Agents conduct detailed assessments against various Australian visas, selecting a pathway that offers applicants the highest chance of success in the most time efficient and cost effective manner.

We assist employers recruit from the international labour market by obtaining Standard Business Sponsorship approval,  negotiating Labour Agreements, submitting nominations and visa applications.  We will ensure the employment of foreign workers in Australia is a simple and stress free experience. We help our clients understand and operate in compliance with Australian migration law.

Only registered immigration agents and immigration lawyers can legally give immigration assistance in Australia.   A registered migration agent can provide advice on Australian immigration law and manage Australian visa and Australian citizenship applications.

Registered Migration Agents

Migration Agents must be listed on the Register of Migration Agents, held by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.   All visa agents working for Australian Visa Group are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

At Australian Visa Group we explain and simplify the sponsorship process.  We will outline the permanent and temporary employer sponsored visa options for your employees.   Your Migration Agent will also review and explain any independent visa options for your employees.   We will liaise directly with your employees throughout the entire application process.   At all times we are here to answer any questions, issues or problems as they arise.    As a corporate client you will be allocated a dedicated senior migration agent to manage your account.  You will have direct access to this migration agent and prompt attention to any issues as they arise.

Employing Overseas Workers

We provide the following services:

  • Full visa assessment for any potential or existing employees
  • Explaining sponsorship obligations and requirements
  • Examining any alternative visa options for applicants
  • Obtaining Standard Business Sponsorship approval
  • Negotiating Labour Agreements
  • Submitting nominations
  • Managing Australian visa applications

Australian Visa Group has represented clients in the following industries:

  • Recruitment / Labour Hire
  • Aviation
  • Industrial
  • Construction
  • Mining
  • Hospitality
  • Hairdressing and Beauty Salons
  • National Employer Associations
  • Engineering
  • Medical
  • Government
  • Information  Technology
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Gardening and Landscaping
  • Sole Traders
  • Start ups
  • Not for Profit
  • International Organisations

When employing overseas workers is pays to map out a visa pathway, that will meet the immediate needs of the business, whilst considering the long term goals of permanent residency for the applicant.