Skilled Sponsored Visas
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Skilled sponsored visas allow Australian employers to fill genuine skills shortages by sponsoring overseas workers where suitably skilled Australian workers are not available.
Lewis & Bollard Immigration Lawyers advise both employers and sponsored workers, guiding each side through the visa and sponsorship process clearly and strategically.
How Skilled Sponsorship Works (At a Glance)
Skilled sponsored visas usually involve the following components:
- Employer sponsorship approval and/or nomination
(the business and, where required, the position being offered)
- Visa application
(the worker applying to live and work in Australia)
The exact steps depend on the visa type and the employer’s existing approvals.
Skilled Sponsored Visa Options
The most common skilled sponsored visas include:
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) – Subclass 400
- Temporary Work (International Relations) – Subclass 403
- Training – Subclass 407
- Temporary Activity – Subclass 408
- Skills in Demand – Subclass 482
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Subclass 494
- Employer Nomination Scheme – Subclass 186 (Permanent)
Each visa has its own purpose, eligibility criteria, and duration. Some provide a pathway to permanent residence.
What Skilled Sponsored Visas Allow
Depending on the visa, sponsored workers may be able to:
- Live and work in Australia for a sponsoring employer
- Bring eligible family members
- Allow partners to work and study without restriction
- Transition to permanent residence (where eligible)
Health, character, skills and English requirements apply.
Employer Sponsorship Options
Australian and overseas businesses must hold the correct sponsorship approval before sponsoring a worker.
The main employer sponsorship options are:
Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)
For Australian businesses operating in Australia.
- Valid for up to five years
- Allows sponsorship under Subclass 482 and 494 visas
- May support permanent residence via Subclass 186 (TRT stream)
Overseas Business Sponsorship (OBS)
For overseas businesses establishing, or intending to establish, operations in Australia.
- Valid for up to five years
- Allows sponsorship under Subclass 482 and 494 visas
- Can later transition to Standard Business Sponsorship
Temporary Activities Sponsorship (TAS)
For organisations sponsoring workers under short-term or activity-based visas.
- Used for Subclass 403, 407 and 408 visas
- Available to businesses, government bodies, religious and sporting organisations
Labour Agreements
For employers who cannot use standard sponsorship pathways.
- Negotiated agreements with the Australian Government
- May provide concessions to age, English or salary requirements
- Can support Subclass 482, 494 and 186 visas (depending on agreement type)
Why Choose Lewis & Bollard Immigration Lawyers?
- Experience advising both employers and sponsored workers
- Clear, practical advice tailored to business and workforce needs
- Strategic planning to reduce refusal and compliance risk
- End-to-end support, from sponsorship approval to visa grant
- Ongoing advice on sponsorship obligations and compliance
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to live and work in Australia on a temporary basis where suitably skilled local workers are not available.
This visa is commonly used by businesses to address short- to medium-term skills shortages and, in some cases, provides a pathway to permanent residence.
Who This Visa Is For
- Skilled workers with an offer of employment from an approved sponsor
- Employers seeking to fill genuine skills shortages
- Workers who may later transition to permanent residence (where eligible)
How the 482 Visa Process Works
The Subclass 482 visa generally involves three linked steps:
- Sponsorship – the employer must be, or become, an approved sponsor
- Nomination – the employer nominates a position and occupation
- Visa application – the worker applies for the visa
Streams Under the 482 Visa
Core Skills Stream
- Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List
- Relevant skills, qualifications and experience required
Specialist Skills Stream
- Applies to higher-skilled occupations
- Subject to a higher salary threshold
Labour Agreement Stream
- For employers operating under an approved labour agreement
- May allow concessions to standard requirements
Key Eligibility Requirements
Depending on the stream, applicants must generally meet requirements relating to:
- Skills, qualifications and work experience
- English language ability
- Health and character
- Registration or licensing (if required for the occupation)
There is no age limit for a Subclass 482 visa.
What the 482 Visa Allows
- Live and work in Australia for the sponsoring employer
- Stay for up to four years (depending on the stream)
- Include eligible family members
- Partners have full work and study rights
- Potential pathway to permanent residence
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) allows skilled overseas workers to live and work in Australia permanently.
It is used by employers who have an ongoing need to fill a skilled position and wish to retain a worker on a long-term basis.
Who This Visa Is For
- Skilled workers seeking permanent residence
- Employers offering a genuine, ongoing position
- Temporary visa holders transitioning to permanent residence
Streams Under the 186 Visa
Direct Entry Stream
- For applicants applying directly from overseas or Australia
- Requires a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant experience
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
- For Subclass 482 visa holders
- Requires at least two years of employment with the sponsoring employer
Labour Agreement Stream
- For applicants sponsored under an approved labour agreement
Key Eligibility Requirements
Requirements vary by stream but usually include:
- Skills and work experience
- English language ability
- Health and character
- Registration or licensing (where applicable)
An age limit of under 45 generally applies, subject to limited exemptions.
What the 186 Visa Allows
- Live and work in Australia permanently
- Include eligible family members
- Access Medicare and other benefits (subject to eligibility)
- Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
Speak With Us
Whether you are an employer considering sponsorship or a skilled worker exploring visa options, we can explain your options clearly and advise on the most appropriate pathway.
Phone: (02) 9283 0888
Email: info@lewisbollard.com.au
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494) allows Australian employers in regional areas to sponsor skilled overseas workers to live and work in regional Australia on a temporary basis.
This visa is designed to support regional employers facing genuine skills shortages and may provide a pathway to permanent residence.
Who This Visa Is For
- Skilled workers with a job offer in regional Australia
- Employers unable to source suitably skilled local workers
- Workers seeking a regional pathway to permanent residence
How the 494 Visa Process Works
The Subclass 494 visa generally involves three linked steps:
- Sponsorship – the employer must be an approved sponsor
- Nomination – the employer nominates a regional position
- Visa application – the worker applies for the visa
Streams Under the 494 Visa
Employer Sponsored Stream
- Occupation must be on the relevant regional occupation list
Labour Agreement Stream
- For employers operating under an approved labour agreement
Key Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must generally meet requirements relating to:
- Skills assessment (mandatory for most occupations)
- At least three years of relevant work experience
- English language ability
- Health and character
- Registration or licensing (where required)
An age limit of under 45 usually applies, subject to limited exemptions.
What the 494 Visa Allows
- Live and work in regional Australia for up to five years
- Include eligible family members
- Partners have full work and study rights
- Potential pathway to permanent residence
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400)
The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400) allows skilled overseas workers to undertake short-term, highly specialised work in Australia.
This visa is intended for non-ongoing work where the required skills are not readily available in Australia.
Who This Visa Is For
- Specialists undertaking short-term, highly specialised work
- Businesses requiring urgent or niche expertise
How the 400 Visa Process Works
The Subclass 400 visa involves:
- Invitation or support from an Australian business outlining the specialised work
- Visa application demonstrating skills, experience, and temporary intent
Key Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must generally demonstrate:
- Highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience
- Genuine intention to stay temporarily
- Sufficient funds for their stay
- Health and character compliance
What the 400 Visa Allows
- Undertake short-term specialised work in Australia
- Stay for up to three months (or up to six months in limited circumstances)
- Include eligible family members
Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa (Subclass 403)
The Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (Subclass 403) allows foreign nationals to work in Australia in circumstances that support Australia’s international relations.
The visa operates through several distinct streams.
Who This Visa Is For
- Foreign government representatives or workers
- Participants in government, diplomatic or international programs
- Approved workers under specific international arrangements
Streams Under the 403 Visa
The visa includes several streams, including:
- Government Agreement
- Foreign Government Agency
- Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular)
- Privileges and Immunities
- Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM)
- Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)
Each stream has specific eligibility requirements.
What the 403 Visa Allows
- Work in Australia for the approved period under the relevant stream
- Include eligible family members
Training Visa (Subclass 407)
The Training visa (Subclass 407) allows overseas workers to participate in workplace-based training in Australia to improve skills, qualifications or professional development.
Who This Visa Is For
- Individuals requiring occupational training
- Graduates or professionals undertaking structured workplace training
- Overseas workers participating in professional development programs
How the 407 Visa Process Works
The Subclass 407 visa involves:
- Sponsorship by an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor
- Nomination for a structured training program
- Visa application by the trainee
Key Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must generally meet requirements relating to:
- Genuine temporary entry
- Relevant skills or experience
- English language ability
- Health and character
What the 407 Visa Allows
- Undertake workplace-based training in Australia
- Stay for up to two years (depending on the training program)
- Include eligible family members
Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)
The Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408) allows individuals to come to Australia to undertake specific short-term activities on a temporary basis.
Who This Visa Is For
- Participants in approved events, programs or activities
- Workers engaged in cultural, social, sporting, research or entertainment activities
Streams Under the 408 Visa
The visa operates across multiple streams, including:
- Australian Government endorsed events
- Religious work
- Research activities
- Social, cultural or sporting activities
- Entertainment and superyacht crew
- Exchange arrangements and domestic work for executives
Each stream has specific eligibility requirements.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must generally demonstrate:
- Genuine temporary intent
- Adequate health insurance
- Evidence of the approved activity
- Health and character compliance
What the 408 Visa Allows
- Undertake approved temporary activities in Australia
- Stay for the period approved under the relevant stream
- Include eligible family members
