Can I sponsor a childcare educator in Australia? Yes, since December 2024

The three occupations, side by side

What the nomination needs

• The qualification on ACECQA’s approved list, or an overseas qualification ACECQA has assessed as equivalent; the Diploma for room leaders, the Certificate III for educators.
• Salary of at least A$79,423 or the market rate as full-time annual earnings. Under the Commonwealth retention payment a Diploma room leader at 15 per cent above award approaches the floor in most states; a Certificate III educator does not, which is why most nominations are for Diploma-qualified staff and educational leaders.
• Labour market testing: two advertisements of at least 28 days on platforms with national reach within four months of nominating, unless the worker is a UK citizen or another exemption applies.
• The checks: Working with Children Check under the state scheme before day one, first aid and CPR with anaphylaxis and asthma management, child protection training; the hiring sequence is on how to hire childcare educators.
• Government charges: sponsorship A$420, nomination A$330 plus the Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$1,200 a year under A$10 million turnover, visa A$4,015 for a 482. Timeline; costs and the decision.

Educators already here

The role does not have to wait for a visa. Three groups can work for you today without sponsorship, and services already run on them:

• Working holiday makers (417 and 462): any role, six months per employer; register with the ATO for the 15 per cent rate and pay super. Employing working holiday makers.
• International students: 48 hours a fortnight in term, unlimited in breaks. Employing international students.
• Partner, graduate (485) and bridging visa holders: full work rights, a VEVO check and nothing else. Who can work for you now.

SponsorTalent lists candidates by occupation, visa and city, so you can see who can start on Monday before you make contact; search is free and a contact unlocks for A$30.

Early childhood is one of the largest international student fields, and a student enrolled in the Diploma counts toward ratios as “actively working toward” the qualification; the graduate on a 485 visa is the educator you nominate when the visa runs out. Sponsoring an existing employee; candidate side: childcare jobs with sponsorship.

Do not nominate the role under an occupation it is not. An unqualified assistant nominated as a Child Care Worker, or a centre director nominated as an Early Childhood Teacher without the teaching qualification is tested against the duties, the qualification, the award classification and the pay, and a mismatch is refused, can bar the business from sponsoring for years, and exposes the worker to cancellation. If the person genuinely does the listed job and holds its qualification, nominate that job at its rate; if not, use the routes above.

Frequently asked questions

Can a childcare centre sponsor an educator on a 482 visa? Yes, since December 2024. Child Care Worker (421111) is on the Core Skills list for the 482 and 186, for an educator with an ACECQA-approved Certificate III or Diploma at a salary of at least A$79,423 or the market rate.

Can I sponsor a centre director? Not on the standard 482 or 186: Child Care Centre Manager is on the Medium and Long-term list only. A regional service can use the 494; a director who is a qualified early childhood teacher can be nominated as a teacher.

What salary does a sponsored educator need? At least A$79,423 or the market rate, whichever is higher, as full-time annual earnings, which in practice fits Diploma room leaders and educational leaders rather than Certificate III educators.

Can international students work in childcare while studying? Yes, within 48 hours a fortnight in term and unlimited hours in breaks, with a Working with Children Check; a student enrolled in and progressing through an approved qualification counts as actively working toward it for ratio purposes.