If you’re running a childcare centre, managing an education facility, or operating in any sector struggling with skilled staff shortages, you’re not alone. Since the pandemic, it’s become harder than ever to find dedicated, qualified employees especially those who stick around.
But what if there were a practical, long-term solution to this problem?
At Imagine Education, a leading early childhood education provider in Australia, that solution came in the form of employer sponsorship. With support from Pathway to Aus, they’ve now successfully sponsored more than 60 overseas candidates transforming ongoing staffing headaches into long-term workforce stability.
And the best part? You can do the same!
The Reality: Good People Are Hard to Find And Even Harder to Keep
You probably already know the story: staff come and go, job ads get little response and your team ends up stretched thin trying to keep things running. It’s even tougher in regional areas, where the pool of qualified workers is even smaller.
Bill, the founder of Imagine Education, experienced this firsthand:
“Staffing has been our biggest challenge, especially since COVID. We just didn’t have enough people coming through locally.”
With over 50 centres across the country, Imagine Education had to find a sustainable way to build a strong, committed team. That’s when they turned to employer-sponsored visas with expert help from Pathway to Aus.
The Turning Point: From International Graduate to Long-Term Employee
Maybe you’ve already had international students pass through your workplace. You know the type: enthusiastic, well-trained, eager to learn but limited by visa restrictions. They want to stay, but often can’t unless someone gives them a chance.
That’s where sponsorship comes in.
Imagine Education’s approach looks something like this:
- Hire a graduate who’s finished their Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
- Support them onto a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) giving them full work rights for up to two years.
- See how they perform and whether they’re a good fit culturally and professionally.
- If all goes well, sponsor them onto a longer-term visa and help them build a life in Australia.
This process has helped them build a loyal, stable team that actually wants to grow with the business.
The Visa Options And How They Work for You
Not sure which visa suits your business or your staff best? That’s where we at Pathway to Aus steps in. We take the guesswork out of it and help you find the most suitable pathway based on your business needs.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common visas businesses are using:
- Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)
✅ For recent international graduates
✅ Full work rights for up to 2 years
✅ A perfect way to trial staff before sponsorship - Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
✅ For skilled roles in shortage areas
✅ Up to 4 years, with a pathway to permanent residency
✅ Brings experienced, committed educators into your team - Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
✅ Offers permanent residency
✅ Often used after a successful 482 visa period
✅ Builds loyalty and long-term staff retention - Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
✅ Tailored for regional and remote areas
✅ Includes occupations not typically on skilled lists
✅ Flexible and region-specific - Labour Agreements
✅ Custom arrangements to suit unique staffing needs
✅ Flexible eligibility—great for niche roles or industries
Whether your company needs workers in these industries – childcare, aged care, or trades-Pathway to Aus will guide you through every step.
But What About the Cost?
Understandably, many business owners worry about how much sponsorship will set them back.
Here’s the truth: while there are costs involved, they’re usually far less than what you’re already spending on recruitment, training, and dealing with constant staff turnover.
Typical costs:
- Government sponsorship application: $420
- Nomination + visa agent fees: $5,000–$6,000 total
Bill puts it this way:
“Yes, there’s a cost, but you’re investing in people who stay. For us, that $6,000 ends up saving us far more in the long run.”
Especially in early learning where consistent faces are so important for children and their families, the return on investment is clear.
How Pathway to Aus Makes It Easy
You don’t need to navigate visa applications, legal paperwork, or confusing immigration policies on your own. We at Pathway to Aus handle everything so you can stay focused on what you do best – running your business.
Here’s what we’ll take care of:
✔️ Checking candidate eligibility
✔️ Advising on the most suitable visa
✔️ Helping collect and prepare documents
✔️ Lodging all applications
✔️ Liaising with immigration on your behalf
✔️ Ongoing advice and support throughout the process
As Bill shared:
“We’re not visa experts. That’s why we refer our staff to Pathway to Aus and let them handle it. They’ve been a massive help.”
The Results Speak for Themselves
Since teaming up with Pathway to Aus, Imagine Education has seen huge improvements in workforce stability.
- Over 62 international candidates sponsored
- Sponsored staff typically stay 3–4 years or more
- Regional centres now enjoy stronger staff continuity
- Better consistency means improved outcomes for children and families
That kind of loyalty and reliability is hard to find—and even harder to build without sponsorship.
Is Sponsorship Right for You?
If any of the following sound familiar, sponsorship could be a game-changer for your business:
✅ You rely on qualified staff and need them to stick around
✅ You’ve already trained great international students—but can’t keep them
✅ You’re tired of hiring again and again due to high turnover
✅ You want a sustainable, long-term staffing solution
Then yes. This pathway is absolutely worth exploring.
Ready to Build a Team That Grows With You?
Whether your industry is in childcare, hospitality, healthcare, or trades, the challenge is the same: finding good people and keeping them.
You don’t have to keep starting from scratch.
Here at Pathway to Aus, we can help you find the right candidates, support their visa journey, and finally build a workforce you can rely on.
📞 Reach out to us today to find out how sponsorship can work for your business.
📧 Email: info@pathwaytoaus.com
Pathway to Aus is a registered education and migration agency. We help Australian businesses solve staffing problems with long-term solutions. From visa planning to full-service application support, we’re here to help you build a future-ready team.
