Employer visas / Pharmacists
For pharmacies and pharmacists
Sponsoring overseas pharmacists.
Immigration lawyers for pharmacy owners, hospital pharmacy departments and the pharmacists they hire. From a supervised internship on a 407 to permanent residence on a 186.
Our fees
Clear terms, agreed before you begin.
At Zest Legal, we believe in clear, upfront pricing. Our professional fees for standard visa applications are outlined below, so you know what to expect before getting started.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
Sponsoring multiple employees?
We offer tailored pricing for businesses with multiple applications or ongoing sponsorship needs. Contact us to discuss a fee arrangement suited to your business.
We act on fixed professional fees for most matters, confirmed in writing together with the scope of our services before you proceed. Our fixed fee covers the agreed scope of work. If you need anything outside that scope, we will discuss it with you and quote it separately first. Government charges and third-party expenses are additional.
The path
From overseas pharmacist to permanent resident.
A pharmacist who already holds general registration skips the first four steps.
- Skills assessmentThe Australian Pharmacy Council assesses the qualification, usually through the OPRA exam.
- Provisional registrationThe Pharmacy Board lets the intern practise under supervision.
- Internship on a 4071,575 supervised hours, an accredited intern program, then the written and oral exams.
- General registrationThe pharmacist can now practise without supervision.
- 482 or 494The pharmacy sponsors the pharmacist for an ongoing role.
- Permanent residenceA 186 after two years on a 482, or a 191 after three years on a 494.
Which visa when
The right visa for each stage.
| Stage | Visa | What the pharmacy does | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intern, provisional registration | Training (407) | Becomes a sponsor, nominates the internship, provides a preceptor and a training plan | Training leads to general registration; paid at least the award intern rate |
| Pharmacist, general registration | Skills in Demand (482) | Becomes a sponsor, advertises the role, nominates it | 1 year of experience; salary at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the market rate; English test |
| Regional pharmacy | Regional employer (494) | Nominates a role in a regional postcode | 3 years of experience; skills assessment; generally under 45 |
| Permanent residence | Employer Nomination (186) | Nominates the pharmacist for a permanent role | 2 years on a 482 with the pharmacy, or 3 years' experience and a skills assessment |
Sponsoring an intern
A 407 that holds up to scrutiny.
The 407 is for training, not for filling a pharmacist vacancy. Since May 2026 the Australian Border Force has been visiting 407 sponsors to check training plans and what trainees are actually doing. In 2025–26, 55% of 407 applications to the end of April were refused or withdrawn.
What a compliant internship needs
- An approved preceptor and premises registered with the Pharmacy Board
- A written training plan that matches the intern program and registration hours
- Pay at no less than the Pharmacy Award intern rate
- Records showing the intern is training, not covering shifts
What we do
- Sponsorship, nomination and visa for a fixed fee
- Write the training plan with you
- Move the intern to a 482 after general registration
- Explain your obligations as a sponsor
Sponsoring a registered pharmacist
The 482, and permanent residence after.
Once the pharmacist has general registration, the pharmacy can sponsor them on a 482 for up to four years.
What the pharmacy needs
- Salary of at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and what you would pay an Australian pharmacist
- Two job ads on national platforms, live for 28 days
- The Skilling Australians Fund levy, paid by the business
- Ongoing sponsor obligations: pay, records and notifications
Regional pharmacies
- All of Australia except metropolitan Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane counts as regional
- Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong included
- A 494 leads to permanent residence after three years
- The 482 and 186 are available in regional areas too
How it works
From first call to a working visa.
Complimentary introductory call
We learn about the role and the business, and explain how we can help. Legal advice starts with a consultation or once you engage us.
Clear terms, then we begin
You receive a written quote and a checklist for the business and the employee.
We prepare everything
Sponsorship, nomination and visa, prepared together where we can. We guide any job advertising that’s needed.
Lodged and looked after
We lodge, deal with Home Affairs until a decision, and explain your obligations.
FAQ
Questions from pharmacies and pharmacists.
Can we sponsor an intern on a 482 instead of a 407?
Usually not. An intern holds provisional registration and can only practise under supervision, and the intern award rate sits below the 482 salary floor. The 407 covers the internship; the 482 follows general registration.
Can a 407 intern work extra shifts as a pharmacist?
No. The intern can only do the training approved in the nomination. Using a trainee to fill shifts is what the Border Force is checking for.
How long does the whole path take?
It depends on exam dates, the internship and Home Affairs processing, which changes. We give you a timeline for your intern on the first call.
Our pharmacy is in Perth. Can we use the 494?
Yes. Perth is a designated regional area, so a 494 is available for a role based there. Only metropolitan Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are excluded.
Does the pharmacist pay any of the sponsorship costs?
No. Sponsorship and nomination fees and the Skilling Australians Fund levy must be paid by the business.
I passed OPRA. Can you find me an internship?
No. We act once a pharmacy has agreed to sponsor you. Your employer can book a complimentary call with us.
Can family come too?
Yes. Partners and children can be included in the visa application.
Government charges are set by the Department of Home Affairs, change each July, and are paid on top of our fees. Figures checked October 2026. Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission. Use the Home Affairs estimator for exact visa charges. General information only, not legal advice.
Sponsoring a pharmacist?
Book a complimentary introductory call to check basic eligibility and whether we're the right fit. It isn't legal advice, and depending on your circumstances you may still need a consultation. For legal advice now, book a 30-minute consultation ($330). Or call 1300 079 743.
Client reviews
What business owners say.
Google reviews from our clients. Every matter is different, and visa decisions and processing times are set by the Department of Home Affairs.
“I had an amazing experience with Zest Legal, they helped my company successfully secure visas for our employees. I'm so happy we switched over to Zest Legal from our previous lawyers, Rosa did an outstanding job and really went the extra mile to take care of all our immigration needs.”
“We had a really positive experience working with Zest Legal to organise a working visa for one of our employees. The team was amazing to deal with, kept us informed every step of the way, and made the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming than we expected.”
“Rosa has been great in helping me organise and submit everything needed for my PR application. The process went smoothly and she’s always been really contactable when needed. Would definitely recommend”