Your Guide to Australia’s Employer-Sponsored Visas: Which One is Right for You?

Australia offers a range of employer-sponsored visas for individuals seeking to work and live in the country. The three main visa options are Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa), Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa), and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa). In this blog post, we will provide you with detailed information about these visa types and application processes, to help you make an informed decision on which visa is the best fit for your needs.

Visa Type

Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa)

The Subclass 482 visa, also known as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, is an employer-sponsored visa that allows skilled workers to work in Australia for up to four years. The visa is designed to fill temporary skill shortages in the Australian labour market and is divided into three streams:

1. Short-Term Stream: This stream is for applicants who have been nominated by their employer for a skilled position that is on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and allows them to work in Australia for up to two years (or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies).
2. Medium-Term Stream: This stream is for applicants who have been nominated by their employer for a skilled position that is on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and allows them to work in Australia for up to four years. Applicants may also be eligible for a Permanent Residence Visa if they have worked for the sponsor for three years and satisfy the visa requirements.
3. Labour Agreement Stream: This stream is for applicants who have been nominated by their employer under a labour agreement negotiated between the employer and the Australian government.

Applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including English language proficiency, work experience and health and character requirements. The Subclass 482 visa also requires the employer to demonstrate that they have attempted to find Australian workers to fill the position before sponsoring a foreign worker. The visa can provide a pathway to permanent residency in Australia under certain conditions.

Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa)

The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent employer-sponsored visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. Also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, this visa requires the applicant to be sponsored by an Australian employer who has been approved as a sponsor by the Department of Home Affairs. There are three streams under the Subclass 186 visa:

1. Direct Entry Stream: This stream is intended for individuals who have the skills and experience necessary to fill a position that cannot be filled by an Australian worker. It allows applicants to obtain permanent residency in Australia if they are nominated by an employer and meet the relevant visa criteria.
2. Temporary Residence Transition Stream: This stream is for applicants who have been working for their employer on a temporary basis for at least three years and who have been nominated by their employer for a permanent position.
3. Labour Agreement Stream: This stream is for applicants who have been nominated by their employer under a labour agreement negotiated between the employer and the Australian government.

To be eligible for the Subclass 186 visa, applicants are required to meet specific criteria such as age, English language proficiency, work experience, as well as health and character requirements.

Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa)

The Subclass 494 visa, also known as the Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that allows skilled workers to work and live in Australia for up to five years. This visa is designed to address skill shortages in regional areas of Australia and is only available to applicants who are sponsored by an employer in a regional area. The Subclass 494 visa is divided into two streams:

1. Employer-Sponsored Stream: This stream is for applicants who have been sponsored by an employer in a regional area of Australia for a skilled position that is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) and allows them to work and live in Australia for up to five years.
2. Labour Agreement Stream: This stream is for applicants who have been sponsored by an employer under a labour agreement negotiated between the employer and the Australian government.

Applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including age, English language proficiency, work experience and health and character requirements. The visa also requires the employer to demonstrate that they have attempted to find Australian workers to fill the position before sponsoring a foreign worker. Additionally, visa holders must work for their sponsoring employer in a regional area of Australia for at least three years before they can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

Application Process

Here are the steps to apply for an employer sponsor visa:

1. Finding a Sponsor: Your first step is to find an Australian employer who is willing to sponsor you and who meets the sponsorship requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.
2. Standard Sponsorship Application: The employer must apply to become an approved sponsor by submitting an application to the Department of Home Affairs. This involves providing information about the company’s business activities, financial standing, and any previous involvement with sponsoring workers. (For subclass 482 and 494 visas)
3. Nomination by Employer: Your Australian employer must nominate you for the position you are applying for. This requires your employer to provide evidence of your skills, qualifications, and work experience, as well as demonstrate that you meet the relevant requirements for the visa.
4. Visa Application: To apply for the employer sponsor visa, you must complete an online visa application form available on the Department of Home Affairs website. Along with the visa application form, you will need to provide several documents, such as your passport, proof of English proficiency, as well as character certificates.
5. Waiting for Visa Outcome: Once your visa application has been lodged, you will need to wait for the visa outcome for a certain amount of time. The processing time for the employer sponsor visa can vary depending on your individual circumstances. You can check the current processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Conclusion

To sum up, Australia provides various visas for skilled workers who desire to reside and work in the country with employer sponsorship. The Subclass 482, 186, and 494 visas are the three main options available, each with its own requirements and eligibility criteria. These visas can provide a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for those who meet certain conditions. It is important to carefully consider your options and choose the visa that best fits your needs and circumstances.