Employer Sponsorship for Childcare Centres in Australia
Struggling to find qualified Early Childhood Educators? Here’s how sponsorship can solve your staffing shortage.
Childcare centres across Australia are facing ongoing staff shortages, making it difficult to meet compliance ratios and maintain operations. If you can’t find qualified local educators, employer sponsorship allows you to hire skilled overseas staff with pathways to long-term retention.
A guide for hospitality business owners
Why Childcare Centres Are Struggling to Hire Educators
Labour Shortage
Across Australia, childcare providers are experiencing:
What you're facing?
Hospitality businesses across Australia are experiencing:
Shortage of qualified educators
High staff turnover
Strict staff-to-child ratio requirements
Increasing demand for childcare services
How it impacts your business?
This isn't just a hiring issue. It directly impacts:
Compliance with regulations
Centre capacity and enrolments
Staff workload and burnout
Expanding your hiring pool through employer sponsorship
Stop competing for staff who aren't there. Sponsor the chefs you can't find locally.
What Is Employer Sponsorship?
The Fundamentals
Employer sponsorship allows childcare businesses to hire overseas workers when local candidates are unavailable.
Childcare centres
Sponsor early childhood educators and centre managers
Early learning centres
Sponsor qualified educators you can't find locally
Kindergarten providers
Sponsor early childhood teachers
Long day care services
Sponsor educators to keep rooms staffed and compliant
The role must be on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists.
Which Childcare Workers Can Be Sponsored?
Who You Can Sponsor
To sponsor a worker, the occupation must be on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists.
Common healthcare roles
Early Childhood Educators
One of the most in demand occupations. Often eligible for PR pathways.
Early Childhood Teachers
Strong long term visa options. High demand across Australia.
Childcare Centre Managers
Eligible depending on qualifications and experience.
Who cannot be sponsored
Sponsorship requires formal qualifications plus experience.
Unqualified childcare workers
Assistants without qualifications
Main Visa Options for Childcare Employers
Visa Options
Skills in Demand
SUBCLASS 482
Temporary solution
Ideal for urgent staffing needs
Temporary · fast
Employer Nomination Scheme
SUBCLASS 186
Permanent residency
Best for long-term staff retention
Permanent
Regional Employers
SUBCLASS 494
Ideal for centres in regional areas
Easier access to skilled workers
PR pathway available
Regional · PR pathway
DAMA
LABOUR AGREEMENT
May allow sponsorship in regional childcare shortages
Can offer concessions depending on location
Useful for centres struggling to meet staffing ratios in regional areas
Framework
What It Costs to Sponsor an Employee
Salary and Costs
Minimum salary (important)
subject to updates and role level
$70K+
TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold)
Market salary rate
| Typical costs | Paid by the employer |
|---|---|
| Standard Business Sponsorship | ~$420 AUD |
| Nomination fee | $330–$540 AUD |
| SAF levy (small business) | ~$1,200/year AUD |
| SAF levy (larger business) | ~$1,800/year AUD |
| Visa costs often paid by applicant | Varies |
How Employer Sponsorship Works (Simple Breakdown)
Step by Step
Become an Approved Sponsor
Apply for Standard Business Sponsorship
Nominate the Role
Prove the role is genuine, the salary meets requirements, and you cannot find local educators.
Visa Application
The worker applies for the visa.
| Processing time | |
|---|---|
| 482 VISA | ~2–6 months |
| 186 VISA | longer (PR pathway) |
| 494 Visa | varies |
Common Sponsorship Mistakes Hospitality Employers Make
Common Mistakes
- Sponsoring unqualified candidates
- Not meeting qualification requirements
- Incorrect job advertising (LMT issues)
- Choosing the wrong visa pathway
These mistakes can lead to delays or refusals.
Regional Advantage
Benefits for Regional Hospitality Businesses
If your business is in a regional area:
Access to 494 visa
More flexible occupation options
Easier pathway to PR
Less competition for staff
Why Many Hospitality Businesses Work with Migration Agents?
Why Use a Migration Agent
Healthcare sponsorship is one of the most complex areas in migration.
Many providers work with experts to:
- Ensure eligibility of candidates
- Avoid costly delays
- Meet immigration requirements
- Choose the best visa pathway
Pathway to Aus works with childcare businesses across Australia to manage the full sponsorship process.
How Employers Benefit from Sponsoring Employees in Australia
In this video, Nick sits down with the owner of a company that Pathway to Aus has assisted with over 60+ employer sponsorship applications.GET IN TOUCH
In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
Contact details
Give us a call
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Send an email
info@pathwaytoaus.com
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