Hiring workers from South Korea: English test, the trade-agreement question and the steps

Who comes from South Korea

In Home Affairs' figures for primary temporary skilled (482) visas granted in the 2025-26 program year to 31 December 2025, South Korea was 15th by citizenship, with about 600 grants (rounded to the nearest 10). The report does not break that figure down by occupation. Candidates already in Australia as graduates or working holiday makers can be hired without the overseas step: see employing visa holders already in Australia.

Source: Home Affairs: temporary resident (skilled) report, 31 December 2025 (table 1.20)

English: a test result is needed

South Korea is not one of the five passports exempt from the 482 English requirement (Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the US), so the candidate needs an approved test result at the visa's level, unless they qualify under the five-years-of-study exemption in the instrument. Registration bodies such as Ahpra set higher scores of their own.

Source: Legislation: English language requirements for the 482 (LIN 25/082)

Labour market testing: check the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement for your nomination

the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement is one of the agreements in the determination of trade obligations relevant to labour market testing. Whether it removes the advertising depends on the agreement's terms and the nomination, not on nationality alone, so confirm it before you skip the ads. WIDEN's guide to labour market testing exemptions explains how exemptions are claimed.

Source: Legislation: international trade obligations relating to labour market testing (LIN 21/075, as amended)

The South Korean side

We have not found an official source setting out a South Korean government exit or contract-registration step for a citizen taking a job directly with an Australian employer. If a recruiter in South Korea is involved, the worker should not be paying it for the job or the sponsorship; see the next section.

Avoiding fee-charging recruiters

An Australian employer cannot pass the sponsorship or nomination costs to the worker, and it is an offence under section 245AR of the Migration Act to ask for or receive a benefit in return for a sponsorship-related event. In practice: hire the candidate directly, pay any recruiter yourself, and walk away from any intermediary who asks the worker to pay for the job or the sponsorship.

Source: Migration Act 1958, section 245AR: asking for or receiving a benefit for sponsorship

Checking the candidate

Before you offer, run the checks in spotting fake candidates and documents: verified English results, registers, licences and referees you contact yourself.

The Australian side, step by step

1. Confirm the occupation and salary. The role must be on the relevant list and pay at least A$79,423 (nominations from 1 July 2026) and the market rate: sponsored jobs by occupation.
2. Labour market testing, unless an exemption applies: labour market testing for the 482.
3. Sponsorship, nomination and visa. Costs are in the cost to sponsor a worker; timing in how long sponsorship takes.
4. Registration or licensing before work starts for regulated occupations (Ahpra professions, electricians, plumbers and others).

For the legal steps in your case, use a registered migration agent: WIDEN Migration Experts (MARN 1576536).

Frequently asked questions

Do South Korean citizens need an English test for a 482?

Yes, unless they qualify under the five-years-of-study exemption. South Korea is not one of the five exempt passports.

Does the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement remove labour market testing?

It can for some nominations. the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement is on the list of relevant trade obligations, but whether a particular nomination is exempt depends on the agreement's terms. Confirm it before skipping the advertising.

How many South Korean citizens get 482 visas?

About 600 primary 482 visas were granted to South Korean citizens in the 2025-26 program year to 31 December 2025, 15th by citizenship.