Frequently Asked Questions

The process generally involves these steps:

1. Become an approved sponsor: The employer must apply to the Department of Home Affairs to become an approved sponsor. This involves demonstrating that they meet certain requirements, such as being a lawful and reputable business.
2. Nominate a position: The employer must nominate the position they wish to fill and demonstrate that it is a genuine position and meets relevant skill and salary requirements.
3. Find a suitable overseas worker: The employer must find an overseas worker who meets the requirements of the nominated position and the relevant visa subclass.
4. Lodge a visa application: The employer or the overseas worker lodges a visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.
5. Visa granted: If the application is successful, the overseas worker will be granted a visa allowing them to work in Australia for the sponsoring employer.
   
   

• Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482): This visa allows employers to sponsor skilled workers to fill skill shortages in their business. It has three streams: Specialised Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement stream.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186): This visa allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency. It has three streams: Temporary Residence Transition stream, Direct Entry stream, and Labour Agreement stream.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494): This visa allows employers in regional Australia to sponsor skilled workers. It has two streams: Employer Sponsored Stream and Labour Agreement Stream.   

Yes, through the ENS (subclass 186) visa program. The SID visa also provides a pathway to permanent residency for eligible visa holders after a certain period.

• Ensure the employee is paid appropriately: Pay the employee at least the market salary rate for the position and ensure they are not underpaid compared to Australian workers doing the same job.
• Provide a safe workplace: Provide a safe and healthy working environment for the employee, complying with all relevant workplace health and safety laws.
• Keep records: Maintain records of the employee's employment, including pay slips, tax records, and attendance records.
• Cooperate with the Department of Home Affairs: Cooperate with any requests for information from the Department of Home Affairs and notify them of any changes to the employee's circumstances.
• Support the employee's settlement: Provide support to the employee to help them settle in Australia, such as information about accommodation, healthcare, and other services.

Yes, you can. This is known as a 'transfer of sponsorship'. you must however become an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination application for the prospective employee.

The English language requirements vary depending on the visa subclass and the nominated occupation. Generally, applicants must demonstrate at least 'Vocational' English level.

Processing times vary depending on the visa subclass and the individual circumstances of the application. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

• Visa Application Charge: This varies depending on the visa subclass and can usually be paid by the worker you nominate.
• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy: This is a levy paid by employers to contribute to the training of Australian workers. The amount may vary depending on the turnover of the business and the number of years you are sponsoring the overseas worker.
• Other Costs: May include nomination fees, legal professional fees, and other associated expenses.

‘Designated Area Migration Agreement’ (‘DAMA’) is a special program that allows nominated business employers operating in designated areas and experiencing skills/labour shortages to sponsor skilled (or semi-skilled) overseas workers to fill vacant positions. DAMA is not, however, a visa by itself, but a labour agreement within one of the above visa categories.