Employer visas / Cost
Guide · 2026–27 charges
How much does it cost to sponsor an employee in Australia?
The government charges for sponsoring one worker on a 4-year Skills in Demand (482) visa start at about AUD 9,565 for a business with turnover under $10 million: AUD 420 to become a sponsor, AUD 330 to nominate, AUD 4,800 in Skilling Australians Fund levy and AUD 4,015 for the visa. Permanent sponsorship on a 186 starts at AUD 9,680. Your business must pay the sponsorship, nomination and levy costs itself. Our professional fee is quoted separately.
Written by Rosa Nobarani, Principal Solicitor · Last reviewed 11 November 2026
What the employer pays
Sponsorship, nomination and levy.
These are your business's costs. You cannot pass them on to the worker or recover them from their pay.
| Charge | 482 (temporary) | 186 (permanent) | 494 (regional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship | AUD 420 (valid 5 years) | Not required | AUD 420 (valid 5 years) |
| Nomination fee | AUD 330 | AUD 540 (limited exemptions apply) | Nil |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under $10 million | AUD 1,200 per year of the visa period | AUD 3,000 one-off | AUD 3,000 one-off |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover $10 million or more | AUD 1,800 per year of the visa period | AUD 5,000 one-off | AUD 5,000 one-off |
Sources: Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Regulations 2018, ss 5, 5A and 6; IMMI 18/038 (sponsorship fee). Turnover is your business's turnover for the most recent income year before the nomination. The levy is paid when you lodge the nomination; for a 482 it covers the whole visa period up front.
Visa application charges
The worker's visa, from 1 July 2026.
Either the employer or the worker can pay the visa application charge. Many employers do, especially for senior or hard-to-fill roles.
| Visa | Main applicant | Each additional applicant 18+ | Each additional applicant under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482), all streams | AUD 4,015 | AUD 4,015 | AUD 1,005 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186), all streams | AUD 6,140 | AUD 3,070 | AUD 1,535 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) | AUD 6,140 | AUD 3,070 | AUD 1,535 |
Source: Home Affairs current visa pricing table (updated 1 July 2026). A 482 applied for in Australia can also attract a AUD 700 subsequent temporary application charge. For the 494, a second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies to each applicant 18 or over assessed as not having functional English.
Worked examples
Total government charges for common scenarios.
Home Affairs charges only, before professional fees and the third-party costs below.
First 482, small business
New sponsor, turnover under $10 million, 4-year visa, worker only: AUD 420 + 330 + 4,800 + 4,015 = AUD 9,565.
482 for a larger employer, with family
Existing sponsor, turnover over $10 million, 2-year visa, worker plus partner and one child: AUD 330 + 3,600 + 4,015 + 4,015 + 1,005 = AUD 12,965.
Direct permanent sponsorship (186)
Turnover under $10 million, Direct Entry, worker only: AUD 540 + 3,000 + 6,140 = AUD 9,680. No sponsorship approval needed.
Regional sponsorship (494)
New sponsor, turnover under $10 million, worker only: AUD 420 + 3,000 + 6,140 = AUD 9,560.
Other costs
What else to budget for.
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Labour market testing (job advertising) | Workforce Australia is free; paid job boards vary | Most 482 and 494 nominations, and some 186s. Ads must run for at least 28 days, unless an exemption applies. |
| Skills assessment | Set by the assessing authority | Required for many occupations, usually for the 186 Direct Entry stream and the 494 |
| Health examination in Australia (Bupa MVS) | From AUD 392 for medical and chest X-ray, plus tests | Permanent and provisional visas (186, 494); some 482 applicants |
| Police certificates | AUD 57 (AFP) plus overseas certificates | Each applicant 16 and over |
| English test | Set by the test provider | Unless the worker is exempt (for example, a passport holder of an exempt country) |
Checked 11 November 2026. Third-party fees are set by those providers and change.
Our fees
How we quote.
Quoted individually
Every business and every role is different, so we don't publish one price. After a complimentary introductory call, we give you a written quote for the agreed scope: sponsorship, nomination and visa, or any part of it. That fee is fixed for that scope.
- Government charges and third-party costs are paid separately, as above
- Repeat sponsors: we can quote for a program of nominations
- Contact us for your quote
What changes the cost
The things that usually make a sponsorship more involved are:
- Salary close to the income threshold or the market rate
- Occupation fit, or whether the role is genuine for your business
- Labour market testing that doesn't meet the rules
- A worker changing employers, or a previous refusal
- Labour agreements, such as the premium dining agreement
FAQ
Questions about sponsorship costs.
How much does it cost to sponsor a 482 worker?
For a new sponsor with turnover under $10 million, a 4-year 482 costs AUD 9,565 in government charges: AUD 420 sponsorship, AUD 330 nomination, AUD 4,800 levy and AUD 4,015 visa. Family members add AUD 4,015 each (18 and over) or AUD 1,005 (under 18).
Can the worker pay the sponsorship costs?
No. The sponsorship fee, nomination fee and Skilling Australians Fund levy must be paid by the business and can't be passed on to the worker. The worker can pay their own visa application charge.
Is the Skilling Australians Fund levy refundable?
Only in limited circumstances set out in the Migration Regulations, for example if the visa is refused on health or character grounds. Plan on it not being refunded.
Do I pay the levy every year?
No. For a 482, the levy for the whole visa period is paid up front when you lodge the nomination. For the 186 and 494 it is a one-off amount.
Is there a card surcharge?
No. Since 1 October 2026 Home Affairs no longer charges a surcharge on card, PayPal or UnionPay payments.
Do I need to be an approved sponsor for a 186?
No. The 186 doesn't require standard business sponsorship, but you still pay the nomination fee and levy.
What are your professional fees?
We quote individually, in writing, once we understand your business and the role. The fee is fixed for the agreed scope. Contact us for your quote.
General information only, current at 11 November 2026. Not legal advice. Charges change, usually on 1 July; always check the Home Affairs pricing table before you pay.
Not sure which visa fits?
Book a complimentary introductory call to tell us about your circumstances and find out how we may be able to help. It isn't legal advice. For personalised legal advice, book a 30-minute advice consultation ($330 inc GST), which includes a written summary. Or call 1300 079 743.
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