How to hire a mechanical engineer with visa sponsorship

The candidates available now

Live counts from candidate profiles on SponsorTalent. Search and filter them at /find/mechanical-engineer; profiles show visa status, location and experience before you unlock contact details.

Where they want to work

Can your business sponsor a mechanical engineer?

Mechanical Engineer, ANZSCO 233512, is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Eligible employer visas in our list data: 482, 494 and 186. The occupation you nominate must match the duties of the job: the ANZSCO title is Mechanical Engineer.

Caveat: none recorded on the Core Skills Occupation List (WIDEN's copy of the Home Affairs list, read 6 November 2026).

The 482 Specialist Skills stream is open to occupations outside ANZSCO major groups 3, 7 and 8 where the salary is at least A$146,576, so it is an option when the salary reaches that level.

Sponsoring from regional Australia opens the 494 as well; see regional sponsorship and DAMA for employers.

What you must pay

The nominated position must pay at least A$79,423 (2026–27 Core Skills Income Threshold for the 482 and 186, and the TSMIT for the 494), and no less than an Australian mechanical engineer in the same role and location is paid. Check a specific offer with the sponsorship salary check.

Checks before you make an offer

The assessing authority is Engineers Australia (CDR or accredited qualification). A skills assessment is not needed for every 482: it applies where the Department's instrument lists the occupation for the worker's passport country. Profiles on SponsorTalent show whether a candidate already holds an assessment.

Queensland requires anyone providing professional engineering services in or for the state to be a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) or to work under the direct supervision of one. Victoria requires registration for professional engineering services in civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and fire safety engineering. NSW requires registration for professional engineering work on class 2, 3 and 9c buildings.

Sources: Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland · Consumer Affairs Victoria: who needs to be registered · NSW Government: registration for regulated buildings

Who sponsors mechanical engineers

Engineering consultancies, mining and resources companies, manufacturers, building services firms, defence contractors are the usual employers of mechanical engineers.

The steps

1. Find the candidate. Search mechanical engineer candidates and unlock the profiles that fit, or post the role so candidates apply to you.
2. Sponsorship. Your business needs Standard Business Sponsorship (or a labour agreement or DAMA) before it can nominate. WIDEN explains the requirements in how to become an approved sponsor.
3. Nomination. You nominate the position as Mechanical Engineer at a salary that meets the threshold and the market rate. Costs are in WIDEN's cost to sponsor a worker and our sponsorship cost calculator.
4. Visa. The worker lodges the visa after the nomination. For the legal steps for your case, use a registered migration agent: book WIDEN Migration Experts.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sponsor a mechanical engineer on a 482 visa?

Yes. Mechanical Engineer, ANZSCO 233512, is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). In SponsorTalent's list data it is eligible for the 482, 494 and 186 employer-sponsored visas. Your business needs Standard Business Sponsorship (or a labour agreement) before you nominate.

What is the minimum salary for a sponsored mechanical engineer?

At least A$79,423 for 2026–27, and no less than the market rate an Australian mechanical engineer would be paid for the same job.

How many mechanical engineers are looking for sponsorship on SponsorTalent?

The live count is on this page and on the Mechanical Engineer candidate search at /find/mechanical-engineer. Profiles are anonymous until you unlock one.

Who handles the sponsorship and nomination?

Your business lodges them, usually through a registered migration agent. WIDEN Migration Experts (MARN 1576536) can prepare the sponsorship, nomination and visa; SponsorTalent itself is a marketplace for finding candidates.