Employer Sponsored Visas
The Employer-Sponsored pathway allows Australian businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers and their families to live and work in Australia, with a clear pathway to permanent residency.
A dedicated Overseas Business Sponsorship (OBS) stream enables foreign companies to sponsor skilled employees to help establish or expand their operations in Australia, including setting up local subsidiaries.
Employer Sponsorship Options
If you’re employed by a business registered and operating in Australia, they can sponsor you for a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) or Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visa. They can also support your permanent residence application through the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) or apply for a Subclass 191 (Skilled Regional) visa respectively.
Australian employers can sponsor non-resident employees through the Australian Business Sponsor (ABS) pathway for temporary work visas, including the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional).
For permanent residence, employers can nominate eligible employees under the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme).
Overseas business owners can apply for their company to become an approved Overseas Business Sponsor, allowing themselves and key staff to enter Australia on a Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) or Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visa to establish a subsidiary, enter a joint venture, or fulfil a service agreement.
If the business owner sets up an Australian entity, this can also lead to permanent residence through the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme).
Your company can apply to become an Overseas Business Sponsor and nominate you for a Subclass 482 visa to:
– establish its operations in Australia
– represent the company in a joint venture
– fulfil a service agreement
This allows you to enter Australia to carry out key business activities on their behalf.
About This Visa
Employer Nomination Scheme visa
The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent residency visa. Applicants applying through the Direct Entry stream must have an occupation on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) and complete a mandatory skills assessment. This stream also has higher English and work experience requirements compared to the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa.
Alternatively, applicants may qualify under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream if they have worked for their nominating employer in Australia for at least two years while holding a Subclass 482 visa.
Skills in Demand Visa
The Subclass 482 visa is a temporary residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years—or up to 5 years for Hong Kong SAR and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders.
Eligible occupations must be listed on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) to apply under the Core Skills stream.
There is also a Specialist Skills stream for applicants nominated to work in an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) occupation listed in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, and who meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
After working for two years with the same employer on a 482 visa, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
The 494 visa is a provisional residency visa. The applicant’s nominated occupation must be on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL). While it covers a broader range of occupations, individuals must work in a designated regional area. After working for 3 years with this visa, you can apply for the Subclass 191 visa to obtain permanent residency.
*The application requirements for the 186 (Temporary Residence Transition Stream) visa differ from the 186 (Direct Entry Stream) visa. Please consult with an advisor for details.
Visa Type
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) | Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa | ||
| Age Requirement | Under 45 Years Old (Age exemptions may apply in certain situations) | Not Required | Under 45 Years Old (Age exemptions may apply in certain situations | |
| Points Requirement | Not Required | |||
| Skilled Occupation List | CSOL | CSOL or ANZSCO occupation in Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6 | STSOL / ROL | |
| Skills Assessment | Required (Unless applying through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream) | Depending on Occupational Requirements | Required | |
| English Proficiency | IELTS (At least 6 for each of the 4 components) | IELTS all band 5 or above (Exemptions may apply) | IELTS all band 6 or above | |
| Income Requirements | Not Required | If the nominated occupation is on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL), the annual salary must be at least AUD73,150, increasing to AUD76,515 from 1 July 2025. If the nomination falls under the Specialist Skills stream (ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6), the annual salary must be at least AUD135,000, increasing to AUD141,210 from 1 July 2025. |
The minimum annual salary must be at least AUD73,150, increasing to AUD76,515 from 1 July 2025. | |
| Years of experience required | Three Years Or Above | One Year Or Above | Three Years Or Above | |
| Regional restrictions | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Regional Area | |
| Visa Type | Permanent Resident Visa | Temporary Resident Visa | ||
| Visa Grant Period | Permanent | Up to four years or Hong Kong passport holders (including BNO passport holders) may stay up to 5 years. | Up to five years | |
| Permanent Residency Pathways | Not Applicable | *Eligible to apply for the 186 (TRT) visa after working for 2 years or Apply for permanent residency through Hong Kong Stream after living in Australia for 4 years. | Eligible to apply for Subclass 191 permanent residency visa after living and working in regional Australia for 3 years. | |
| Age Requirement | Points Requirement | Skilled Occupation List | Skills Assessment | English Proficiency | Income Requirements | Years of experience required | Regional restrictions | Visa Type | Visa Grant Period | Permanent Residency Pathways | |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) | Under 45 Years Old (Age exemptions may apply in certain situations) | Not Required | CSOL | Required (Unless applying through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream) | IELTS (At least 6 for each of the 4 components) | Not Required | Three Years Or Above | Not Applicable | Permanent Resident Visa | Permanent | Not Applicable |
| Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) | Not Required | CSOL or ANZSCO occupation in Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6 | Depending on Occupational Requirements | IELTS all band 5 or above (Exemptions may apply) | If the nominated occupation is on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL), the annual salary must be at least AUD73,150, increasing to AUD76,515 from 1 July 2025. If the nomination falls under the Specialist Skills stream (ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6), the annual salary must be at least AUD135,000, increasing to AUD141,210 from 1 July 2025. |
One Year Or Above | Not Applicable | Temporary Resident Visa | Up to four years or Hong Kong passport holders (including BNO passport holders) may stay up to 5 years. | *Eligible to apply for the 186 (TRT) visa after working for 2 years or Apply for permanent residency through Hong Kong Stream after living in Australia for 4 years. | |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa | Under 45 Years Old (Age exemptions may apply in certain situations | STSOL / ROL | Required | IELTS all band 6 or above | The minimum annual salary must be at least AUD73,150, increasing to AUD76,515 from 1 July 2025. | Three Years Or Above | Regional Area | Up to five years | Eligible to apply for Subclass 191 permanent residency visa after living and working in regional Australia for 3 years. | ||
*The application requirements for the 186 (Temporary Residence Transition Stream) visa is different from the 186 (Direct Entry Stream) visa. Please consult with our advisor for details.
Application Process
Comprehensive Case Analysis
Australian Employer
Obtain Australian Business Sponsorship status
Australian Employer
Secure nomination approval for the employee under the appropriate visa subclass.
Employee
Apply for and obtain the visa
Employee
Live and work for the employer in Australia
Note: While the process is generally straightforward, there are specific requirements that must be met. We recommend having our team manage the process to ensure full compliance and a smooth application. Contact us today to get started.
Comprehensive Case Analysis
Overseas Business Entity
Apply to obtain OBS (Overseas Business Sponsorship status)
Overseas Business Entity
Secure nomination for the business owner (can include other key personnel ) under the subclass 482 or subclass 494 visa.
Business Owner
Apply for and obtain the visa
Business Owner
Establish an Australian entity within 4-5 years following visa grant.
Australian Entity
Apply to become an Australian Business Sponsor
Australian Entity
Apply to transfer sponsorship of the business owner from the overseas company to the Australian entity.
The business can also nominate other employees under the appropriate visa subclass.
Australian Entity
Nominate the business owner for permanent residency under the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.
Business Owner
Apply for visa and obtain permanent residence
Note: While the process is generally straightforward, there are specific requirements that must be met. We recommend having our team manage the process to ensure full compliance and a smooth application. Contact us today to get started.
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