How to become an approved sponsor for small and medium businesses in Australia

Small and medium businesses, including newly formed start ups, can become an approved sponsor to hire employees from overseas under the 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa scheme, the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, or subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa.

From the perspective of a business already operating in Australia, here are some of the key pros and cons of each option when compared with each other.

Sponsoring on a Subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa

• No geographical restrictions on where the job must be located in Australia
• Skills assessment only required for limited occupations
• Faster processing time

Sponsoring on a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa

• Permanent visa offering your workers access to Medicare
• No geographical restrictions on where the job must be located in Australia
• Skills assessment generally required under direct entry stream
• Slower processing time
• There are three streams under this visa:
  1. Temporary Residence Transition for 457 visa holders who have worked for 2 years
  2. Direct Entry for people who have never worked in Australia
  3. Agreement stream for workers sponsored under a labour agreement.

Sponsoring on a Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa

• This is also a permanent visa
• The job must be in regional Australia
• Skills assessment required under direct entry stream but for more limited occupations only

Contact us to become an approved sponsor. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Review migration case studies and business solutions from other small and medium business who became an approved sponsor.Case Studies

Becoming an approved business sponsor

Watch our webinar on "Tips on Sponsoring Employees" which was held in conjunction with the NSW Chamber of Commerce.