For Employers
Sponsor a skilled worker in Australia
Found the right person but they're not an Australian citizen or permanent resident? You can sponsor them. These guides walk through the 482 Skills in Demand visa, what sponsorship costs your business, your obligations, and the pathway to permanent residence — reviewed by a registered migration agent (MARN 1795282).
Reviewed by a registered migration agent ·
MARN 1795282
Updated
Employer sponsorship costs and thresholds at a glance (2026–27)
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum salary, Core Skills (CSIT) | A$79,423 a year, and the market rate | Nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 |
| Minimum salary, Specialist Skills (SSIT) | A$146,576 a year, and the market rate | Nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 |
| Standard Business Sponsorship | about A$420 | Usually valid for 5 years |
| Nomination fee | about A$330 (482) · about A$540 (186, 494) | Per position |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy (482) | A$1,200 a year (turnover under A$10m) or A$1,800 a year | Paid upfront for the visa length |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy (186, 494) | A$3,000 (turnover under A$10m) or A$5,000 | One-off |
| 482 visa application charge | A$4,015 main applicant | Home Affairs pricing, checked 11 October 2026 |
| 186 visa application charge | A$6,140 main applicant | Home Affairs pricing, checked 11 October 2026 |
| 482 processing time | 75% within 8 months (Core Skills) | Home Affairs, as at 2026-09-29 |
| 186 processing time | 75% within 24 months (Transition Pathway) | Home Affairs, as at 2026-09-29 |
Sources: Home Affairs salary requirements and current visa pricing. Full breakdowns: 482 costs · 186 costs · 494 costs.
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How to Sponsor an Overseas Worker in Australia (482 Skills in Demand)
A step-by-step guide for Australian employers on sponsoring a skilled overseas worker on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa — the three stages, what it costs, sponsor obligations, and the pathway to permanent residence. Reviewed by a registered migration agent.
Sponsor by industry
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How to Sponsor a Carpenter on a 482 Visa (Employer Guide)
Australian builders can sponsor a carpenter (ANZSCO 331212) or carpenter and joiner (331211) on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. Both occupations are on the Core Skills Occupation List with no caveats, so an approved sponsor can nominate the role at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (A$79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026) and the market rate. A TRA skills assessment is mandatory for some passports, and the 186 visa offers a pathway to permanent residence. Reviewed by a registered migration agent.
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How to Sponsor a Chef on a 482 Visa (Employer Guide)
Australian employers can sponsor a chef on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa by becoming a Standard Business Sponsor, nominating the role at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (about $79,423 from 1 July 2026) and the market rate, and having the chef apply — with a permanent residence pathway via the subclass 186 visa after two years.
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How to Sponsor a Cook on a 482 Visa (Employer Guide)
Australian employers can sponsor a cook (ANZSCO 351411) on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa: Cook is on the Core Skills Occupation List, so an approved sponsor can nominate the role at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (about $79,423 from 1 July 2026) and the market rate. Home Affairs caveats apply, the cook needs at least one year of relevant experience, and a TRA skills assessment may be required. Reviewed by a registered migration agent.
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How to Sponsor a Hotel or Hospitality Manager on a 482 Visa
Australian hotels, pubs, clubs and accommodation businesses can sponsor a manager on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa if the role fits an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List: Hotel or Motel Manager (ANZSCO 141311, with a low-skilled-tasks caveat), Licensed Club Manager (141411) or Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec (141999). Cafe or Restaurant Manager (141111) is not on the Core Skills list, so restaurants need a different route, such as the regional 494 visa. Salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (A$79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026) and the market rate. Reviewed by a registered migration agent.
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How to Sponsor a Motor Mechanic on a 482 Visa (Employer Guide)
Australian dealerships and workshops can sponsor a motor mechanic on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa by becoming a Standard Business Sponsor, nominating the role at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (about $79,423 from 1 July 2026) and the market rate, and having the mechanic apply — with a permanent residence pathway via the subclass 186 visa after two years.
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How to Sponsor a Software Developer on a 482 Visa
Australian employers can sponsor a software developer on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa by becoming a Standard Business Sponsor, nominating an ICT occupation at or above the income threshold and market salary, and supporting the developer's visa application — with a permanent residence pathway after two years.
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How to Sponsor an Accountant on a 482 Visa
Australian accounting firms and finance teams can sponsor an accountant on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa by becoming a Standard Business Sponsor, nominating the role at or above the income threshold and market salary, and supporting the accountant's visa application — with a permanent residence pathway after two years.
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How to Sponsor an Early Childhood Teacher or Childcare Worker
Australian childcare centres can sponsor overseas staff on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa — but a degree-qualified Early Childhood Teacher (ANZSCO 241111) and a Certificate III-level Child Care Worker (ANZSCO 421111) are two different occupations with different qualifications, assessing bodies and English requirements. Here is what employers need to know.
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How to Sponsor an Electrician on a 482 Visa (Employer Guide)
Australian employers can sponsor an electrician (ANZSCO 341111 Electrician (General) or 341112 Special Class) on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. Both are on the Core Skills Occupation List with no caveats, so an approved sponsor can nominate the role at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (A$79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026) and the market rate. Electrical work is licensed: overseas electricians usually go through TRA's skills assessment to get an Offshore Technical Skills Record, then a provisional licence and supervised work before a full state licence. Reviewed by a registered migration agent.
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How to Sponsor an Engineer on a 482 Visa (Employer Guide)
Australian employers can sponsor a civil, structural, mechanical, electrical or mining engineer on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa in three stages — sponsorship, nomination and the visa — with senior engineers often qualifying for the faster Specialist Skills stream. Reviewed by a registered migration agent.
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Skills in Demand visa: what changed when it replaced the TSS 482
On 7 December 2024 the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, keeping subclass 482. The old Short-term and Medium-term streams became Core Skills (occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, salary of at least A$79,423 from 1 July 2026) and Specialist Skills (no occupation list, salary of at least A$146,576, trades and labourer roles excluded), alongside Labour Agreement. Every stream now allows up to 4 years, needs only 1 year of relevant experience, and leads to permanent residence through the 186 after 2 years of sponsored employment. Here is a side-by-side comparison and what it means for workers and employers.
What will sponsorship cost your business? →
Use our 482 sponsorship cost calculator: sponsorship, nomination, SAF levy and the visa charge, by turnover and visa length.
Employer-sponsored visas
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Skills in Demand (482)
The main sponsored work visa
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Employer Nomination (186)
Permanent residence pathway
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Skilled Regional (494)
Regional employer sponsorship
Frequently asked questions
Can my business sponsor an overseas worker?
Yes, if the business is lawfully operating, becomes an approved Standard Business Sponsor, and nominates a genuine position in an eligible occupation at or above the income threshold and the market rate. The worker then applies for the visa, usually the subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa.
What does it cost an employer to sponsor a worker in 2026?
For a 482, the employer pays about A$420 for sponsorship, about A$330 for the nomination, and the Skilling Australians Fund levy of A$1,200 a year (turnover under A$10 million) or A$1,800 a year, paid upfront. The visa application charge is A$4,015 for the main applicant (Home Affairs pricing checked 11 October 2026). The SAF levy and nomination fee cannot be recovered from the worker.
What is the minimum salary for a sponsored worker?
For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026, at least A$79,423 a year in the Core Skills stream (the Core Skills Income Threshold) or A$146,576 in the Specialist Skills stream, and never less than the annual market salary rate for the role.
Can a sponsored worker get permanent residence?
Usually yes. After at least two years of sponsored employment in the three years before applying, the employer can generally nominate the worker for the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream).
For Australian employers
Sponsoring an overseas worker?
Sponsorship, nomination and the visa, handled end-to-end by a registered migration agent. Tell us about the role for a clear plan and written quote.