Employer-Sponsored Visa

With the gradual recovery of the Australian economy in the post-epidemic era, the skills shortage has become a key priority for the Australian government to address. In the FY23/24 budget, employer-sponsored visas became the most important visa category. While the visa application requirements were reduced, the migration quota was increased from 35,000 to 36,825, making it the largest category in Australia’s skilled permanent residence quota.

Employer sponsorship is divided into three main categories, each of which can lead to permanent resident.

Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)

This visa is a temporary visa category within the employer-sponsored visa, which is further divided into three streams: short-term, medium-term, and labour agreement.

Short-term: the visa is valid for a maximum of 2 years; the nominated occupation must be on the STSOL list. You will have the opportunity to apply for 186 Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residence after working for the employer for 2 years;
Medium-Term: Visa valid for a maximum of 4 years; nominated occupation must be on the MLTSSL list or ROL list; from 2023.7 onwards, you will have the opportunity to apply for 186 Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residence after working for the employer for 2 years;
Labour agreement: employers bring in skilled workers from overseas through government labour agreements, similar to the 457 visa.

From 25th Nov 2023, 482 visa holders can apply for 186 permanent visa after 2 years of working.

Eligibility：

Be this age

There is no age requirement for this visa If you wish to apply for the 186 Permanent Residence Visa at a later date, you must be under 45 years of age.

2)Have this level of English language

short-term：Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components；

Medium-term：Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 5 in each of the test components.

3）Nominated occupations

– The nominated occupation is on the appropriate occupational list.

– Nominated occupation is on the STSOL Short Term Occupation List (STSOL ) and can apply for a short-term 482 visa for a maximum period of 2 years;

– The nominated occupation is on the MLTSSL Medium and Long Term List (MLTSSL ), and can apply for a medium-term 482 visa for up to 4 years.

【Note】If the occupation is on the PMSOL list, it will be given priority.

4）Work experience

– 2 years of relevant work experience; must also be the nominated occupation or related occupations.

The work experience must have been gained within the last 5 years.

– Must be full-time employment, or part-time employment equivalent to 2 years of full-time hours; Casual employment is not eligible to apply.

5) Skill assessment required for specific occupations

It is recommended to consult with GEIC.

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa

Applicable Applicants:

Senior white-collar workers and business owners with more than 3 years of work experience outside Australia who have passed IELTS General Category with 6 points in each category.

Apply Pathway:

You can directly apply 186 visa if you meet the following criteria: Overall band score of at least 6.0; have the Australian Skill Assessment, and have 3 years of relevant work experience.
Hold a 482 visa for three years, you can apply for 186 visa.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

Areas other than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are remote areas.

It is a form of sponsorship for temporary residents that employers in remote areas of Australia are willing to offer to the local state government to meet their own labour shortages. You can apply for a 191 Permanent Resident Visa 3 years after your 494 visa is approved.

Eligibility:

be nominated by an approved work sponsor
have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
be under 45 years of age
meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

Suitable applicants

Senior white-collar workers and business owners with more than 3 years of work experience outside of Australia, with an overall band score of at least 6.0 with a score of at least 6.0 in each of the test components;
Currently hold a 485 Graduate Work Visa, but because COVID-19 makes current 491/189/190 competition fierce, can not get enough skilled migration EOI points;
Have no sponsor and cannot meet the English language requirement;
Trapped outside Australia due to COVID-19, but has been working in Australia before, and still have a job offer;
If you are currently in Australia with a bridging visa A, have many years of work experience, but do not meet the requirements to apply for skilled or partner migration.