Employer-sponsored
Employer-sponsored visas for Australia
Employer-sponsored work and permanent residence: the Skills in Demand visa (482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (186).
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Temporary stay
Skills in Demand 482
Skilled workers with an Australian employer sponsor
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Permanent residence
Employer Nomination 186
Skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for PR
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Pathway to PR
Skilled Regional 494
Skilled workers with a regional employer sponsor
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Temporary stay
Training 407
Trainees with an approved Australian sponsor and a structured training plan
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Temporary stay
Short Stay Specialist 400
Highly specialised short-term workers and invited participants
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Temporary stay
Temporary Activity 408
Entertainers, sportspeople, religious workers, researchers and special-program participants
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Temporary stay
MATES scheme — Temporary Work visa (Subclass 403, MATES stream)
Indian nationals aged 18 to 30, recent graduates or early-career professionals in targeted fields
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Employer-sponsored visas compared: cost, processing time and outcome
| Visa | Leads to | Base fee | 75% processed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) | Permanent residence | A$6,140 | 24 months (Transition Pathway) |
| Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400) | Temporary stay | A$535 | 20 days |
| MATES scheme — Temporary Work visa (Subclass 403, MATES stream) | Temporary stay | — | 4 months (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)) |
| Training visa (Subclass 407) | Temporary stay | A$535 | 18 months |
| Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408) | Temporary stay | A$535 | — |
| Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) | Temporary stay | A$4,015 | 8 months (Core Skills) |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) | Pathway to PR | A$6,140 | 11 months (Employer Sponsored) |
Fees: Home Affairs current visa pricing, checked 11 October 2026. Processing times: Home Affairs global visa processing times as at 29 September 2026. Main applicant only; see each visa for streams and family members. General information, not migration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which employer-sponsored visas lead to permanent residence?
Permanent visas in this group: subclass 186. Provisional visas with a pathway to PR: subclass 494. The others are temporary, although some can lead to a permanent visa later if you meet its requirements.
How much do employer-sponsored visas cost?
Base application charges in this group range from A$535 to A$6,140 for the main applicant, according to the Home Affairs pricing table checked 11 October 2026. Family members, health checks and other costs are extra.
Your move to Australia
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