How to sponsor an employee in Australia

Last checked against Home Affairs on 11 November 2026: Cost of sponsoring · Standard business sponsor · Salary requirements · Labour market testing · 482 Core Skills stream.

What it costs: worked examples (482)

Employer total = standard business sponsorship A$420 (once, lasts 5 years; skip it if you are already a sponsor) + 482 nomination A$330 + Skilling Australians Fund levy (A$1,200 or A$1,800 per year of the nominated period). The employer must pay these and cannot recover them from the worker. The 482 visa charge (A$4,015 for the main applicant, more for family) can be paid by either side. Government charges only; professional fees are separate. More scenarios: cost calculator.

1. Check the role qualifies

For the 482 Core Skills stream the occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List, some with caveats (fast-food and takeaway cooks, for example, are excluded). The salary must be at least A$79,423 (from 1 July 2026) and the market rate for the role. At A$146,576 or more, the Specialist Skills stream needs no occupation list, but it is not open to trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, or labourers. The role must be genuine and full time, and the business must actually need it. Look up the occupation: Core Skills list.

2. Check the employee qualifies

The employee needs the skills for the occupation (usually at least one year of relevant experience, and a skills assessment for some occupations), English at the required level, and to meet health and character requirements. If they already work for you, their current visa's conditions keep applying until the 482 is granted, so check their work rights in VEVO. Where the employee falls short, it is better to know before you pay anything.

3. Choose the visa

• 482 Skills in Demand: the usual starting point, up to 4 years, with a path to the 186 after 2 years.
• 494 regional: for businesses outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane; no nomination fee, with permanent residence via the 191 after 3 years. See the 494 employer guide.
• 186 Direct Entry: permanent residence straight away for an employee who already has the skills assessment and experience.
• DAMA or a labour agreement: where the occupation is not on the lists or a concession is needed. See labour agreements.

Side by side: employer visa options compared.

4. Become an approved sponsor

The business applies once for standard business sponsorship (A$420); approval lasts five years and covers later nominations. Home Affairs looks at whether the business is lawfully and actively operating, its history, and any adverse information. A new business can sponsor, but has to show it is genuinely trading. Steps: how to become an approved sponsor · document checklist · processing time.

5. Advertise the role (labour market testing)

For most Core Skills nominations: at least two ads, each running at least 4 weeks, within the 4 months before the nomination is lodged, on qualifying platforms. Some roles and employees are exempt. Ads that miss a required detail do not count. Check yours: LMT ad checker · timing planner.

6. Lodge the nomination

The nomination sets out the occupation, duties, salary and location, with evidence that the role is genuine and the salary meets the market rate. It costs A$330, plus the Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$1,200 a year (turnover under A$10 million) or A$1,800, for each year of the visa. Most refusals happen at this stage. Documents: nomination checklist.

7. The employee applies for the visa

The employee lodges their own application with their skills, English, health and character evidence. The 482 visa charge is A$4,015 for the main applicant, plus charges for family members, and either side can pay it. The employee can start in the sponsored role once the visa is granted and they have the right work rights. Timeline: how long it takes.

After the grant: your obligations

Pay at least the nominated salary on terms equal to an Australian's, keep the employee in the nominated role, notify Home Affairs of changes within 28 days, keep records, and never recover sponsorship costs from the employee. Check yourself: compliance self-check.

Get it right before you lodge

In a sponsor consultation Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536, registered since 2015) checks your role, salary and employee against the criteria, tells you which visa fits, and what evidence the nomination needs, so you know where you stand before paying government charges. If you engage the practice, WIDEN prepares and lodges the sponsorship, nomination and visa. A$330 inc. GST for 30 minutes or A$550 for 60 minutes, credited in full if you engage the practice. No outcome can be promised.

Book a sponsor consultation →

In other currencies: A$330 is about US$225, €205 or £170; A$550 is about US$380, €340 or £285 (approximate, November 2026).

General information, not migration advice.