Employer Sponsored Visa Options in Australia:

Australia offers a range of visa options for skilled individuals who have been offered a position by an Australian employer. These visas are designed to address staff shortages in Australian businesses affected by industry-wide skill shortages.

Types of Employer-Sponsored Visas in Australia

Employer-sponsored visas in Australia offer opportunities for skilled workers to live and work in the country while addressing skill shortages in various industries. Here are the main types of employer-sponsored visas:

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS Visa) (Subclass 482)

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, subclass 482, is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia while being sponsored by an approved employer. The TSS visa has two streams: short-term and medium-term. The duration of the visa depends on the stream and the occupation nominated.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Occupation: The nominated occupation must be on the Combined List of Eligible Skilled Occupations. Applicants must ensure that their employment history and qualifications align with the Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) description for the nominated occupation.
2. Skills and Experience: Applicants must have the skills required for the nominated position, which typically includes a minimum of two years of relevant work experience. The Department of Home Affairs assesses the applicant’s qualifications and work references against the position description provided by the employer.
3. English Language Proficiency: Non-exempt applicants (those not from UK, USA, Canada, NZ, or Ireland) must meet English language requirements, which can be demonstrated through English language tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
4. Health and Character: Applicants must meet health and character requirements, including providing police clearance certificates from all countries where they have lived for 12 months or more since turning 16.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS Visa) (Subclass 186)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, subclass 186, is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. It offers two streams: Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Direct Entry (DE).

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream: Applicants must have held or applied for a 457 visa before 18 April 2017, or have held or applied for a TSS visa after that date. They must have worked for the sponsoring employer for at least two years while holding the temporary visa and be under 50 years of age.
2. Direct Entry (DE) Stream: Applicants must have a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). They need at least three years of relevant work experience and must be under 45 years of age.

Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)

The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an employer in a designated regional area. It provides a pathway to permanent residency after three years.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Occupation and Skills: Applicants must have a nominated occupation on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) and meet the skills and experience requirements for that occupation. They must hold a positive skills assessment and have at least three years of relevant work experience.
2. Age and English Language Proficiency: Primary applicants must be aged between 18 and 44 and meet English language proficiency requirements. Dependent family members over 18 must also meet English language requirements.

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

SBS allows Australian businesses to sponsor overseas workers for skilled occupations under the TSS visa program. Businesses must meet certain criteria to be approved as standard business sponsors.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Business Operations: The business must be lawfully operating and have no adverse information recorded against it.
2. Adherence to Sponsorship Obligations: Sponsors must comply with sponsorship obligations, including providing training to Australian citizens and permanent residents and ensuring sponsored workers have acceptable working conditions.
3. Need for Skilled Workers: Sponsors must demonstrate a genuine need for skilled workers that cannot be sourced locally.
4. Duration of Sponsorship: SBS agreements are issued for five years, enabling businesses to nominate overseas workers for TSS visas to fill skill shortages.

Benefits:

• Provides skilled workers with opportunities to live and work in Australia.
• Helps Australian businesses fill skill shortages and remain competitive.
• Offers pathways to permanent residency for eligible visa holders.
• Contributes to the diversity and innovation of Australia’s workforce.
• Facilitates global talent mobility and economic growth.

Eligibility for Standard Business Sponsorship: Who Can Apply?

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) allows certain types of entities to sponsor overseas workers for skilled occupations under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa program. These entities typically include:

1. Sole Traders: Individuals who run their own business as the sole owner and operator.
2. Partnerships: Businesses owned and operated by two or more partners who share the profits and liabilities.
3. Proprietary Companies: Private companies limited by shares, where ownership is held by shareholders and managed by directors.
4. Public Companies: Companies listed on the stock exchange, with ownership distributed among shareholders and managed by directors.
5. Government Departments: Departments and agencies of the federal, state, or local government responsible for public administration and service delivery.
6. Statutory Authorities: Bodies created by legislation with specific powers and functions, often operating independently of government departments.
7. Not-for-Profit Organizations: Entities that operate for charitable, educational, religious, or social welfare purposes, with profits reinvested in the organization’s activities rather than distributed to shareholders.
8. Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, universities, and other educational bodies providing formal education and training services.

Benefits of Employer-Sponsored Visas:

• Opportunity for skilled workers to live and work in Australia.
• Address skill shortages in various industries.
• Pathway to permanent residency for eligible visa holders.
• Support Australian businesses in recruiting skilled overseas workers.
• Enhance diversity and innovation in the workforce.

Employer-sponsored visas play a crucial role in Australia’s immigration system, contributing to economic growth and development while meeting the needs of employers and skilled workers alike.