Employer sponsorship Q&A
Australian Employer Sponsorship Requirements and Costs
Employer sponsorship is more than completing a form for a worker. The business must support lawful operation, a genuine role and market salary, budget for sponsorship, nomination and SAF costs, and comply after approval.
Which Australian businesses can sponsor a worker?
Standard sponsorship generally requires a business that is lawfully and actively operating and satisfies adverse-information settings. The correct route also depends on business structure, associated entities, work location and whether a standard visa or labour agreement is proposed. A new business is not automatically excluded, but its operating and role evidence may require closer attention.
What must the nominated position show?
An offer of sponsorship is a starting point, not proof of eligibility. Separate the business file, position file and applicant file. Standard sponsorship for 482/494 and employer nomination for 186 are not the same approval process; check labour agreements separately.
| Check | Suggested preparation | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Registration, operations, finances, organisation chart and sponsorship history | An ABN proves sponsor approval |
| Position | Duties, contract, location, salary basis and relevant recruitment records | A job title satisfies the occupation list and caveats |
| Applicant | Visa history, experience, English, assessment and registration | Employer support proves visa eligibility |
- A genuine position connected to the business's current needs.
- Duties that align with the nominated occupation and ANZSCO.
- Salary at or above the applicable threshold and Annual Market Salary Rate.
- Compliant Labour Market Testing where required.
- Employment conditions no less favourable than those for an equivalent Australian worker.
What employer sponsorship costs should be budgeted?
| Cost category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship application | May apply when becoming or renewing as a Standard Business Sponsor |
| Nomination | Depends on the visa and nomination type |
| SAF levy | Generally paid with nomination; turnover and proposed period can affect the amount |
| Visa application | Applicant charge; family composition and other factors may change it |
| Other costs | Recruitment, English, assessment, health, police, translation and professional assistance |
Does worker consent allow recovery of sponsorship costs?
Keep cost allocation separate from ongoing compliance. Salary deductions or departure repayment clauses must not be used to recover legally prohibited employer costs.
Which costs cannot simply be passed to the worker?
| Cost | Allocation check |
|---|---|
| 482/494 standard sponsorship and related nomination/recruitment | Regulation 2.87 prohibits applicable sponsors from transferring or recovering prescribed costs, including related agent costs and the nomination training contribution charge |
| 186 nomination and SAF | Check the separate 186 nomination and charge rules; do not apply every temporary sponsorship rule wholesale or arrange payment for sponsorship |
| Personal visa, English, assessment and health checks | Itemise separately and confirm responsibility; do not disguise employer costs as personal application charges |
What obligations continue after approval?
Obligations can include keeping records, providing information, notifying specified changes, ensuring the worker performs the approved occupation and meeting certain return-travel costs. Changes to role, hours, salary, employment, ownership or structure should trigger a review of notification and new-nomination requirements.
What should an employer do before promising sponsorship?
Complete an employer-position-applicant feasibility review before choosing the visa and budget. A weakness in any one part can affect the sponsorship, nomination and visa applications together.
For an initial enquiry, summarise the proposed visa, business activity, actual work location (including regional WA), duties, proposed salary and current visa. Do not send bank statements or complete identity documents at this stage. Use the visa guides below and official charge pages to itemise the budget rather than relying on a single sponsorship price.