How to sponsor a worker in Australia: the employer steps

Before you start: four checks

1. The occupation. The job must match an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, including any caveat. Find yours in sponsored jobs by occupation or the occupation hiring guides, such as cook, electrician or software developer.
2. The salary. 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 an Australian worker would be paid for the same job in the same place.
3. Labour market testing. Most nominations need evidence that the job was advertised in Australia first, unless an exemption applies: labour market testing for the 482.
4. The worker. Relevant experience, a skills assessment where the visa requires it, and an English test result unless they hold a Canadian, New Zealand, Irish, UK or US passport or another exemption applies; see hiring visa-ready workers.

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

Step 1: become a standard business sponsor

Your business applies once to be approved as a standard business sponsor; the approval lasts five years and covers every nomination in that time. The application charge is A$420. The business must be lawfully operating and able to meet sponsor obligations. WIDEN explains the criteria in how to become an approved sponsor.

Step 2: nominate the position

The nomination describes the position, the occupation, the salary and the terms of employment, and includes the labour market testing evidence. For a 482 the nomination charge is A$330, plus the Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$1,200 per year of the visa for a business with turnover under A$10 million, or A$1,800 per year above that.

Step 3: the worker applies for the visa

Once the nomination is lodged, the worker applies for the 482. The visa application charge for the main applicant is A$4,015 for applications lodged from 1 July 2026; the worker or the employer can pay it. The worker needs health and character checks as well as the skills and English evidence.

Who pays what

The sponsorship and nomination charges and the Skilling Australians Fund levy are the employer's costs and cannot be recovered from the worker. It is also an offence under section 245AR of the Migration Act to ask for or receive a benefit in return for a sponsorship-related event. The full breakdown, including the 494 and 186, is in the cost to sponsor a worker and the sponsorship cost calculator.

Source: Migration Act 1958, section 245AR

After the visa is granted

Sponsorship comes with ongoing obligations, such as paying the nominated salary, keeping records and telling the Department about certain changes. A sponsored worker can move to permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after time with you on the 482. Timing at the Department's current medians is in how long sponsorship takes. If the worker leaves, read what to do when a sponsored employee resigns.

Finding the worker, and getting help with the applications

If you do not have a candidate yet, post a sponsored job or search candidates who are looking for sponsorship, free, and unlock the ones that fit. For the applications themselves, a registered migration agent prepares the sponsorship, nomination and visa: WIDEN Migration Experts (Keshab Chapagain, MARN 1576536) is one option, or see sponsoring without a migration agent.

Frequently asked questions

How do I sponsor a worker in Australia?

Become a standard business sponsor (A$420, approved for five years), nominate the position (A$330 plus the Skilling Australians Fund levy), and the worker applies for the 482 visa (A$4,015 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026). The occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List and the salary at least A$79,423 and the market rate.

How much does it cost to sponsor a worker?

For a 482 with a business under A$10 million turnover: A$420 sponsorship, A$330 nomination and A$1,200 per year of the visa in levy, plus the A$4,015 visa charge, which the worker or employer can pay. Professional fees are extra.

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. Only the visa application charge may be paid by either.

Do I need to advertise the job first?

Usually. Most 482 nominations need labour market testing evidence unless an exemption applies, such as certain trade-agreement nationalities.

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.