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Employer visa sponsorship FAQ

Updated 12 November 2026.

Short answers to the questions Australian employers ask most about sponsoring a worker, each linked to the full guide. Government charges are the amounts for applications lodged from 1 July 2026. Below the questions is every SponsorTalent employer guide, by occupation, by source country and by topic.

Frequently asked questions

How do I sponsor a worker in Australia?

Three applications: your business becomes a standard business sponsor, you nominate the position, and the worker applies for the 482 Skills in Demand visa. The occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List and the salary at least A$79,423 and the market rate. Full steps: how to sponsor a worker.

How much does it cost to sponsor a worker?

For a 482 and a business with turnover under A$10 million: A$420 for sponsorship (approved for five years), A$330 for the nomination, and the Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$1,200 per year of the visa (A$1,800 above A$10 million). The 482 visa application charge is A$4,015 for the main applicant. See the cost to sponsor a worker.

Can the worker pay the sponsorship costs?

No. The sponsorship and nomination charges and the levy are the employer's costs and cannot be recovered from the worker, and asking for or receiving a benefit for a sponsorship-related event is an offence under section 245AR of the Migration Act. Only the visa application charge may be paid by either party.

What is the minimum salary for a sponsored worker?

At least the Core Skills Income Threshold of A$79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and no less than the market rate an Australian worker is paid for the same job in the same place. Check an offer with the sponsorship salary check.

Which jobs can I sponsor?

Occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, subject to any caveat on the occupation. Each occupation hiring guide below gives the list status, the assessing authority and the caveat; sponsored jobs by occupation covers the rest.

What if the job is not on the list?

A standard 482 is not available, but a labour agreement can be: an industry labour agreement, a company-specific agreement or a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for your region. See PALM, labour agreements and DAMAs compared.

Do I have to advertise the job first?

Usually. Most 482 nominations need labour market testing evidence unless an exemption applies, for example under some trade agreements. See labour market testing for the 482.

Can I hire someone already in Australia without sponsoring them?

Often. Graduates, working holiday makers and other visa holders can work for you if their visa allows it. Check work rights through the Department of Home Affairs' free VEVO service first: employing visa holders already in Australia.

Can I sponsor someone who already works for me?

Yes, if the role, the salary and the worker meet the requirements. See sponsoring an existing employee.

What changes if my business is in a regional area?

Most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is regional for migration purposes. Regional employers can also use the 494 visa and the Regional Occupation List, and some regions have DAMAs. See hiring with sponsorship in regional Australia.

How long does sponsorship take?

It depends on the occupation, the worker and the Department's current processing. See how long it takes to sponsor a worker.

Do I need a migration agent?

No law requires one, but sponsorship, nomination and visa applications are legal applications and mistakes cause refusals; most employers use a registered migration agent. See sponsoring without a migration agent.

How do I check a candidate is genuine?

Verify English results with the test provider, registration on the public register, licences with the state regulator, and references you contact yourself. See spotting fake candidates and documents.

Where do I find workers who need sponsorship?

On SponsorTalent every candidate wants to be sponsored or hired by an Australian employer. Search is free; unlocking a contact is A$30, a shortlist starts at A$99 for five, and a sponsored job ad is A$149 for 30 days. See hiring visa-ready workers.

Ready to hire?

Search candidates free, post a sponsored job, or talk to a registered migration agent.

Post a sponsored jobSearch candidatesTalk to a migration agent

Hiring guides by occupation

Hiring from overseas, by country

Process, costs and compliance

Also: cost to sponsor a worker · sponsorship cost calculator · labour market testing · nomination fee and levy · 186 costs for employers

Labour agreements

Migration agents: SponsorTalent for migration agents · getting more employer-sponsored clients

General information only, not migration advice. Government charges are the amounts for applications lodged from 1 July 2026; confirm them with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging. No visa outcome can be guaranteed.