Short answer: for a business with turnover under A$10m, a two-year 482 costs the employer A$3,150 in government charges and a four-year 482 A$5,550, plus the salary. The worker pays the visa application charge of A$4,015. Figures effective 1 July 2026.
| Charge | Amount | When |
| Standard Business Sponsorship | A$420 | once; approval lasts five years |
| 482 nomination | A$330 | per position nominated |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under A$10m | A$1,200 per year of visa | paid with the nomination, up front for the whole visa |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover A$10m and over | A$1,800 per year of visa | as above |
The 482 visa application charge is A$4,015 for the main applicant, more with family. A skills assessment, English test, health examination and police checks are extra and vary by occupation and country. An employer may pay these; it may not recover the sponsorship charge, the nomination charge or the levy from the worker.
The nominated salary must be at least the market rate for the role and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold, A$79,423 a year from 1 July 2026, indexed each July. Paying under the floor is not a saving; it is a refusal.
Sponsorship A$420 + nomination A$330 + levy A$1,200 × 2 = A$3,150 to the Department, plus professional fees if an agent prepares it. The chef pays A$4,015 for the visa. If the chef is already in Australia, they keep working on a bridging visa while the application is decided, so there is no gap in the kitchen.
SponsorTalent lists candidates in Australia with work rights by occupation, with live counts. A shortlist with names, phone and email is A$99 for five.
Hire by occupation → Request a shortlist →General information, not migration advice. Government charges are indexed each 1 July; verify current figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Related: 482 nomination fee and the SAF levy · Labour market testing for a 482 visa · 186 visa.