Employer Sponsored Visa Options

Opportunities for Australia’s In-Demand Professionals

A range of temporary and permanent employer sponsored visa options are available to meet labour shortages across Australia.  These schemes provide employers with the ability to employ international workers where there is a shortage of local workers, build capacity and improve competitiveness.  While employer sponsored schemes mostly target skilled occupations, there are also options available to meet critical labour shortages in regional areas and for industries in critical need such as Aged Care.

Employer sponsored visas provide a vital opportunity for overseas workers to gain experience in Australia and transfer their international skills to the Australian workforce.  They also offer sought after pathways for international workers to establish long-term futures in Australia.  

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Guidance for Skilled Workers in Demand

What Is The 482 SID Visa?

The Skills in Demand (SID) Visa – Subclass 482 is designed to address national labour shortages. This visa allows approved employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill roles where no suitable local workers are available. Launched in December 2024, the SID Visa introduces significant improvements: a more strategic occupation list, streamlined streams, faster processing and a clearer pathway to permanent residency.

The 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa is a temporary, employer-sponsored visa that enables skilled foreign workers to live and work in Australia for up to four years. After completing two years of employment in Australia, SID visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the employer sponsored Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream. Notably, employment with any approved sponsor in Australia is counted toward meeting this requirement.

There is no age limit to apply for the 482 SID Visa. Visa holders also have the flexibility to change employers, with a 180-day period allowed to secure a new approved sponsors.

Key Features

Occupations are classified under the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and divided into three streams based on demand and salary level.

Core Skills Stream

  • For skilled workers earning between $76,515 - $135,000 per year
  • The nominated occupation must be listed on the CSOL
  • Have at least 1-year relevant full-time equivalent work experience within the last 5 years
  • A positive skills assessment may be required, depending on the nominated occupation

Specialist Skills Stream

  • For professionals earning $135,000 or more per year
  • Available for all occupations, except Technicians and Trades Workers defined under ANZSCO Major Group 3
  • A positive skills assessment may be required, depending on the nominated occupation
  • Have at least 1-year relevant full-time equivalent work experience within the last 5 years
  • Offers fast-tracked processing

Labour Agreement Stream

  • For essential service roles earning at least $76,515 per year, where a proven labour shortage exists
  • Commonly used to sponsor occupations not listed on the CSOL under a formal labour agreement and may also provide access to concessions for age, English, skills and experience requirements, salary and English criteria
  • Labour Agreement program includes Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA), Industry Labour Agreements and Company Specific Labour Agreements and usually provide a pathway to permanent residency
  • Requires 1-year relevant full-time equivalent work experience within the last 5 years, unless concessions apply
  • A positive skills assessment may be required, depending on the agreement terms

What Is The 186 Visa?

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 Visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an approved Australian employer. It allows qualified professionals to live and work in Australia permanently, making it an ideal option for those looking to settle long-term and contribute to Australia’s workforce.

Key Features

The 186 visa has three streams, including Temporary Residence Transition Stream, Direct Entry Stream and Labour Agreement Stream.  

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

  • Any occupation in which the applicant has held a Subclass 457 or 482 visa
  • Must have completed two years full-time employment in the nominated occupation in Australia within the last three years while holding a 457 or 482 visa
  • Under 45 years of age unless exempt

Direct Entry Stream

  • Any occupation listed in the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
  • Positive skills assessment required
  • Three years of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation
  • If the applicant held a 491 or 494 visa at the time of application, they must have held that visa for at least three years
  • Under 45 years of age unless exempt

Labour Agreement Stream

  • Any occupation approved in the labour agreement
  • English requirement concessions may apply
  • Work experience and qualification requirement concessions may apply
  • Positive skills assessment required unless the labour agreement provides otherwise
  • If the applicant held a 491 or 494 visa at the time of application, they must have held that visa for at least three years
  • Under 45, unless the labour agreement provides otherwise

What Is The 494 Visa?

The Subclass 494 Visa is a provisional visa designed to help regional employers fill genuine skill shortages by sponsoring skilled overseas workers to live and work in most locations of Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane). 

Applicants are assessed for permanent residency requirements up front for this visa (age, skills, qualifications, work experience, English). Once visa holders have lived, worked and/or studied in the designated regional area for at least 3 years as a 494 visa holder, they may apply permanent residence, if eligible. Employer sponsorship is not needed for the permanent visa stage. This is particularly useful for older applicants who may not be able to complete work experience pre-requisites required under the ENS TRT stream before they are 45.

With a validity of up to 5 years, this visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 Visa, making it an excellent option for both regional employers and skilled migrants seeking long-term settlement in Australia.

Key Features

The 494 visa has two streams, including Employer Sponsored Stream and Labour Agreement Stream.

Employer Sponsored Stream

  • Any CSOL occupation
  • Positive skills assessment result
  • Three years’ relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation
  • Waivers will be granted for the No Further Stay conditions (8503 and 8534)
  • Under 45 years of age unless exempt

Labour Agreement Stream

  • Any occupation available under labour agreement
  • Positive skill assessment result, depending on specific labour agreement and nominated occupation
  • Three years’ relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation, unless a labour agreement concession applies
  • Waivers will be granted for the No Further Stay conditions (8503 and 8534)
  • Under 45, unless a labour agreement concession applies