How to Become an Approved Sponsor in Australia — 2026 Guide
What Is an Approved Sponsor?
Before you can sponsor an overseas worker for a 482, 494, or 186 visa, your business must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) by the Department of Home Affairs. This is a separate application to the nomination and visa application.
Requirements
- Lawfully operating business in Australia
- No adverse information against the business or key personnel
- Commitment to employing local workers
- Financially viable — able to pay the sponsored worker
- Meet training benchmarks (demonstrate investment in training Australians)
How to Apply
- Lodge the SBS application online via ImmiAccount
- Provide supporting documents: ABN, ACN, financial statements, training evidence
- Pay the application fee: $420
- Wait for approval: typically 1-3 months
Once Approved
Your sponsorship approval lasts for 5 years. During this time you can nominate workers for multiple visa types. You can apply for accredited sponsor status for faster processing.
Sponsorship Obligations
As an approved sponsor, you must comply with sponsorship obligations including paying market salary, keeping records, cooperating with inspections, and not recovering visa costs from the worker.
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