What Your Employer Needs to Do to Sponsor You

If you have found an Australian employer willing to sponsor you, here is what they need to do from their side.

Step 1: Become an approved sponsor

Your employer must apply to become a Standard Business Sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs. Requirements:

• Lawfully operating business in Australia
• No adverse information (compliance breaches, unpaid debts to the Commonwealth)
• Evidence they will comply with sponsorship obligations
• Cost: approximately $420 for the sponsorship application

Step 2: Labour market testing

Before nominating you, the employer must demonstrate they tried to fill the position with Australian workers. This involves:

• Advertising the position on recognised Australian job platforms for at least 4 weeks
• The advertisements must have been placed within the 4 months before the nomination
• The position must match the ANZSCO occupation description

Step 3: Nominate the position

The employer lodges a nomination specifying:

• The occupation (ANZSCO code)
• Annual salary (must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold - currently $73,150)
• Terms and conditions of employment
• Cost: approximately $330 for the nomination application

Step 4: You apply for the visa

Once the nomination is approved, you apply for the 482 visa separately with your own documents.

Employer obligations after sponsorship

Your employer must:

• Pay you at least the nominated salary
• Provide equivalent conditions to Australian workers
• Not recover sponsorship costs from you
• Notify the department of any changes (termination, salary changes)
• Keep records for 2 years after the sponsorship period

Common concerns

“My employer says it is too expensive” - Total employer costs are approximately $750 (sponsorship + nomination). This is minimal compared to recruitment costs.

“My employer does not know how to sponsor” - Many migration agents assist employers with sponsorship. Find agents in the agent directory.

“Can my employer cancel my visa?” - Your employer cannot directly cancel your visa, but if they withdraw sponsorship, you typically have 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave Australia.