The Government of Australia believes in continued progress and has taken relevant steps to ensure the growth of the country. One of the pertinent steps taken is to provide Employer-Sponsored visas to international applicants. In this blog, we will discuss what is an employer-sponsored visa referred to and how to apply for it.

What is an Employer-Sponsored Visa?

Employer-sponsored visas are visas that employers can use to sponsor a foreign national to work for them in Australia. There are four types: 

• The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa Subclass 494

• The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186

• The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa – Subclass 482

• The Training Visa – Subclass 407

Let’s explore these four visas so you can identify their significance which may be suited to your requirements as you apply to work in Australia.

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494 is a visa that regional employers in Australia can use during skill shortages. Most often, when there is a likelihood of a shortage of skilled Australian workers, the employer can sponsor and hire foreign national skilled workers. 

This visa categorizes three streams based on specific conditions.

	Employer-Sponsored Stream	Labour Agreement Stream	Subsequent Entrant
What does this stream mean?	This visa provides regional employers with the means to bridge the gap of labour shortages within their region. They are allowed to sponsor skilled workers from other countries outside Australia.	This visa allows employers who have a labour agreement with the Australian Government to nominate skilled workers.	This visa is applied for the members of the family unit of an SESR or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) holder if they wish to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia.
Duration of stay	The applicant can live, work, and study in designated regional Australia for 5 years.	The applicant can stay for 5 years in Australia if the labour agreement is in effect.	The members of the family unit of SESR visa holders can live in Australia for up to 5 years.
Cost to apply for this visa stream	Starting from AUD 4,640.00	Starting from AUD 4,640.00	Starting from AUD 4,640.00
Visa Processing Time	Variable	Variable	Variable

For any of the streams above, the processing times take place as per the Australian Government’s priorities. You can check the processing time for this visa stream by using the visa processing times guide tool.

• The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186

This visa subclass allows the nominated skilled worker to live and work in Australia permanently. Like the visa subclass 494, this Employer-sponsored visa subclass 186 has three subparts as well.

 

	Direct Entry Stream	Labour Agreement Stream	Temporary Residence Transition Stream
What does this stream mean?	Lets skilled workers work and live permanently in Australia.  These skilled workers are nominated by employers seeking specific skills.	Lets skilled workers work and live permanently in Australia.  This stream applies to skilled workers who are employed or will be employed by an employer with a labour agreement.	Lets employer-nominated skilled workers work and live permanently in Australia.  This visa applies to skilled workers who have already worked full-time for at least three years for the employer.  They should also hold a 457, TSS or a related bridging visa A, B or C.
Duration of stay	Permanent	Permanent	Permanent
Cost to apply for this visa stream	Starting from AUD 4,640	Starting from AUD 4,640	Starting from AUD 4,640
Visa Processing Time	Variable. Use the visa processing times guide tool to know more.	Variable. Use the visa processing times guide tool to know more.	Variable. Use the visa processing times guide tool to know more.

• The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482

This employer-sponsored visa subclass 482 allows an employer to sponsor a foreign national skilled worker to fill a specific position when they are unable to find a suitable skilled Australian. 

This visa has four different types of streams depending on duration of stay and the cost of the visa.

	Short-Term Stream	Medium-Term Stream	Labour Agreement Stream	Subsequent Entrant
What does this stream mean?	Enables employers to address labour shortages when Australian workers can’t be sourced.	Enables employers to address labour shortages when Australian workers can’t be sourced.	Enables employers with a labour agreement to address labour shortages when Australian workers can’t be sourced.	Enables family members of subclass 457 and TSS visa holders to apply separately for their TSS visa and join the primary subclass 457 or the TSS visa holder in Australia.
Duration of stay	Up to 2 years. Up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.  Up to 5 years for Hong Kong Passport Holders.	Up to 4 years. Up to 5 years for Hong Kong Passport Holders.	Up to 4 years based on the terms of the labour agreement. Up to 5 years for Hong Kong Passport Holders.	Can Stay as long as the visa is valid.
Cost to apply for this visa stream	From AUD 1455	From AUD 3035	From AUD 3035	From AUD 1455
Visa Processing Time	Variable. Use the visa processing times guide tool to know more.	Variable. Use the visa processing times guide tool to know more.	Variable. Use the visa processing times guide tool to know more.	Variable. Use the visa processing times guide tool to know more.

• Training Visa Subclass 407

The Training Visa Subclass 407 is an employer-sponsored visa that applies to the workforce segments. It allows the interested applicant with the required skills to take part in workplace-driven occupational training activities. The training activities are designed to enhance job skills, field of expertise, area of tertiary study, or be part of a professional development training program in Australia.

This visa covers three types of occupational training:

A. Occupational training required for registration

B. Occupational training to improve skills in an eligible occupation

C. Occupational training for capacity building overseas

    A. Occupational training required for registration

This Employer-sponsored program offers workplace-based training. It is required to obtain occupational membership, registration, or licensing. One of the three is mandatory to work in that occupation in the country of origin or in Australia.

    B. Occupational training to improve skills in an eligible occupation

The program is specifically tailored and timed to the needs of the nominated employee.

The program is related to an occupation listed in the list of eligible skilled occupations.

The Program involves a nominee with study or work experience of 12 months, full-time in the occupation. Alternatively, the nominee should have study or work experience in 24 months before the nomination is applied.

    C. Occupational training for capacity building overseas

This program caters to three segments:

     1. Overseas Qualification – This is a structured workplace training for students for six months in Australia.

• • These students should be currently enrolled in a foreign education institution.
  • They must complete a period of research or observation, and practical training to obtain qualification.

• The program has to be tailored to the specific training needs of the student.

     2. Professional Development – Designed for managerial or professional employees. They are sent to Australia by their overseas employers for training in programs that include classroom teaching or similar environments in Australia. 

      3. Government Support – The program offered is timed and tailored as per the workplace-based training needs specific to the nominated person. These programs are supported either by the Government in Australia at the national or state/territory level. Alternatively, the program may be supported by the Government at the national, state/territory, or provincial level in the nominated person’s home country.

Reach out to us to know more about this employer-sponsored training visa subclass 407.

FAQs

• How do I apply for the employer-sponsored visa subclass 494?

There is a structure to applying for the Employer-sponsored visa. Feel free to seek professional assistance from an expert and registered migration agent. However, here’s a quick list for you:

• Prepare all the necessary documents, from skills assessment to the latest English Language Test, Health Examination report, and the TRN or the Transaction Reference Number provided from the nomination application submitted by your employer.
• Other important details to submit include your identity proof, character certificate, skills, and work experience.

You may apply for this visa online on the ImmiAccount, attach your documents collected, pay for the application charge, and keep a note of the Transaction Reference Number.

• Are there any reasons for which my employer-sponsored visa application might get rejected?

There is a possibility that your employer-sponsored visa application can get declined if you do not submit all the necessary documents. Moreover, if the information you provided is not valid or is incorrect in any of the documents, and if you did not submit information based on additional details requested while your visa was being processed.

• Which employer-sponsored visa allows me to take a family member along with me to Australia?

You can include family members in your application through all three visas, which are: 

• The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa Subclass 494
• The Employer Nomination Visa Scheme Subclass 186
• The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa – Subclass 482

The Subsequent Entrant visa of the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa Subclass 494, and the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa – Subclass 482 also allow you to take a family member along with you. And this entails having your employer sponsor your family member as well.