Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS): The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residence. Employers must demonstrate a genuine need for the nominated position and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa: The TSS visa enables employers to address temporary skill shortages by sponsoring skilled workers from overseas for up to four years. Employers must obtain a sponsorship and nominate the occupation from the eligible skilled occupation list.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS): RSMS allows employers in regional Australia to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residence. Employers must meet certain requirements, including offering a full-time position in a regional area.
Labour Agreement Visas: Labour agreements are tailored agreements between the Australian government and employers to address specific skill shortages. Employers must negotiate terms with the government and meet specific criteria.
Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS): SBS allows businesses to sponsor skilled workers for temporary or permanent visas. Employers must be approved as standard business sponsors and comply with sponsorship obligations.
Nomination by an Approved Employer: Employers must nominate skilled workers for visa applications and meet specific nomination criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Occupation Eligibility Criteria: Skilled workers must nominate an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list and meet specific eligibility criteria for that occupation.
Skills Assessment and Qualification Verification: Skilled workers must undergo a skills assessment by a relevant assessing authority to ensure their qualifications and experience meet Australian standards.
English Language Proficiency Requirements: Skilled workers must demonstrate English language proficiency through specified tests unless exempted.
Health and Character Checks: Skilled workers must undergo health examinations and provide police clearances to prove they meet health and character requirements.
Salary and Market Rate Criteria: Employers must offer skilled workers market salary rates and meet specific salary threshold requirements.
Employer Obligations and Sponsorship Responsibilities: Employers must fulfill sponsorship obligations, including providing a safe work environment and cooperating with immigration authorities.
Duration and Renewal Options: Visa durations vary depending on the visa subclass, with options for renewal or extension in some cases.
Transitioning from Temporary to Permanent Residency: Some temporary visas offer pathways to permanent residency, allowing skilled workers to transition to permanent residency after meeting specified requirements.
Regional and State-specific Nomination Criteria: Some visas require nomination by a state or territory government, with specific criteria for each region.
Applying for Nomination and Visa Application Process: Skilled workers must lodge visa applications and nomination requests through the Department of Home Affairs or relevant authorities.
Visa Application Fees and Costs: Visa applicants must pay application fees and meet associated costs, which vary depending on the visa subclass and individual circumstances.
Skilled Occupation List (SOL) Eligibility
To be eligible for an employer-sponsored visa, applicants must nominate an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which comprises over 500 occupations covering various industries and professions.
Minimum Salary Thresholds: Employers sponsoring skilled workers must offer a minimum salary that meets or exceeds the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is currently set at AUD $53,900 per year.
English Language Proficiency: Skilled workers applying for employer-sponsored visas must demonstrate proficiency in English through standardized tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with a minimum score requirement of 6.0 overall.
Skills Assessment Requirement: Skilled workers must undergo a skills assessment conducted by relevant assessing authorities to verify their qualifications and work experience against Australian standards. Over 200 assessing authorities exist across various occupations.
Health Examination Mandate: Visa applicants are required to undergo health examinations to ensure they meet the health requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. Approximately 10-15% of applicants undergo further medical examinations or assessments.
Character Assessment: Applicants must provide police clearance certificates from all countries they have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years to satisfy character requirements. The Department of Home Affairs assesses each applicant’s character on a case-by-case basis.
Sponsorship Obligations: Employers sponsoring skilled workers are obligated to comply with sponsorship obligations, including providing a safe working environment and ensuring the terms and conditions of employment are consistent with Australian laws.
Nomination Process: Employers must nominate skilled workers for the relevant visa subclass and occupation through the Department of Home Affairs’ online system, ensuring all nomination criteria are met.
Visa Application Fees: Visa applicants are required to pay application fees, which vary depending on the visa subclass and individual circumstances. For example, the application fee for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) starts at AUD $1,265.
Health Insurance Requirement: Skilled workers applying for employer-sponsored visas are required to maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout their stay in Australia to cover any potential medical expenses. Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is commonly used for this purpose.
Work Experience Requirement: Skilled workers must have a minimum level of work experience in their nominated occupation to be eligible for an employer-sponsored visa. Typically, a minimum of two years of relevant work experience is required.
Age Limitations: Some employer-sponsored visa subclasses have age limitations for applicants. For example, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) has no age limit, while the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) requires applicants to be under 45 years of age.
Training Requirement: Employers sponsoring skilled workers under certain visa subclasses may be required to contribute to the training of Australian citizens and permanent residents. This may involve making a contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF).
Regional Sponsorship Opportunities: Skilled workers may have additional opportunities for employer-sponsored visas through regional sponsorship programs, which aim to address skill shortages in regional areas of Australia.
Labour Market Testing: In some cases, employers must demonstrate that they have tested the local labor market to ensure there are no suitable Australian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the nominated position before sponsoring a skilled worker from overseas.
Dependent Visa Options: Skilled workers applying for employer-sponsored visas may also have options to include their family members as dependents on their visa applications, allowing them to live, work, and study in Australia.
Renewal and Extension Possibilities: Some employer-sponsored visas offer pathways for renewal or extension, allowing skilled workers to continue working in Australia beyond the initial visa period, subject to meeting certain criteria.
Processing Times: The processing times for employer-sponsored visas vary depending on factors such as the visa subclass, the completeness of the application, and the workload of the Department of Home Affairs. Processing times can range from a few weeks to several months.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Transition Stream: Skilled workers holding certain temporary visas may be eligible to transition to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Transition Stream, provided they meet specific requirements.
Here are some helpful resources for further information:
1. Department of Home Affairs: Official government website providing comprehensive information on visa requirements, eligibility criteria, and application processes for employer-sponsored visas in Australia. Department of Home Affairs
2. Australian Government Visa Finder: A user-friendly tool to help individuals find the most suitable visa options, including employer-sponsored visas, based on their personal circumstances and requirements. Australian Government Visa Finder
3. Australian Visa Bureau: Offers detailed guidance and assistance for individuals seeking to apply for various types of Australian visas, including employer-sponsored visas. Australian Visa Bureau
4. Migration Institute of Australia (MIA): Provides resources and support for migration agents and individuals navigating the visa application process, including employer-sponsored visas. Migration Institute of Australia
5. Seek Visa: A migration agency offering personalized assistance and advice for individuals seeking employer-sponsored visas to work and live in Australia. Seek Visa
6. MyAccess Australia: Provides comprehensive information and resources on Australian migration law and visa options, including employer-sponsored visas. MyAccess Australia
