Employer visas / Becoming a sponsor
Guide · Sponsorship
Becoming an approved sponsor.
Before you can nominate a worker for a 482 or 494, your business must be approved as a standard business sponsor. Approval lasts five years and comes with obligations that Home Affairs checks.
Eligibility
Who can become a sponsor.
Home Affairs assesses the business, not the role. The role comes later, in the nomination.
Every business
- Legally established and currently operating, in or outside Australia
- No adverse information about the business or people associated with it, or it is reasonable to disregard it
Businesses in Australia
- A strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour
- A declaration that you won't engage in discriminatory recruitment practices
Your obligations
What you agree to as a sponsor.
Obligations start on approval and continue after a sponsored worker leaves. Breaches can lead to fines, cancelled sponsorship and bars on sponsoring again.
Pay what you nominated
Pay the salary and conditions in the nomination, no less favourable than an Australian doing the same work.
Keep the worker in the role
The worker must only do the nominated occupation. A different role usually needs a new nomination.
Tell Home Affairs
Notify certain events within 28 days, including when a sponsored worker stops working for you.
Never pass on costs
You can't recover sponsorship or nomination costs, the SAF levy or migration agent fees from the worker.
Keep records
Keep employment and pay records and produce them when asked. Cooperate with Home Affairs inspectors.
Return travel
Pay reasonable return travel costs if the worker or a family member asks in writing after the sponsorship ends.
Faster processing
Accredited sponsors.
What accreditation gives you
Accredited sponsors get priority processing for 482 and 494 nominations and visa applications. You must already be a standard business sponsor to apply.
Is it worth it?
It suits businesses that sponsor regularly. We tell you on the first call whether your business is likely to qualify.
How it works
From first call to a working visa.
Free 15-minute call
We confirm the right visa, the occupation and the salary, and flag anything that could hold it up.
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 about becoming a sponsor.
How long does sponsorship approval last?
Five years from the date of approval. You can sponsor workers throughout that period, subject to each nomination being approved.
Can an overseas business sponsor?
Yes. A business operating outside Australia can apply, for example to send staff to set up or work on an Australian operation.
Do we need to have employed Australians already?
Australian businesses need a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour. New businesses can show this through hiring plans.
Can we apply for sponsorship and nomination together?
Yes. We usually prepare them together, alongside the job advertising, so no time is lost.
What happens if we break an obligation?
Home Affairs can issue fines or infringement notices, cancel the sponsorship or bar the business from sponsoring. Most breaches come from missed notifications or a worker doing a different role.
General information only, checked against Home Affairs guidance on 15 October 2026. Not legal advice. Requirements change, so we check your case against the rules in force when you nominate.
Hiring from overseas?
Book a free 15-minute call and a lawyer will tell you where you stand. Or call 1300 079 743.