Sponsor Hospitality Workers in Australia
Struggling to find chefs, cooks, or managers locally? Here's how sponsorship can solve your staffing shortage.
Australia's hospitality industry is facing ongoing staff shortages. If you can't find qualified local workers, employer sponsorship allows you to legally hire skilled overseas staff. From restaurants to hotels, many businesses are now using sponsorship to fill critical roles and stay competitive.
A guide for hospitality business owners
Why Hospitality Businesses Struggle to Find Staff
The Problem
Hospitality businesses across Australia are experiencing:
What you're facing?
Hospitality businesses across Australia are experiencing:
High staff turnover
Difficulty finding qualified chefs and cooks
Increased wage pressure
Longer recruitment timelines
How it impacts your business?
This isn't just a hiring issue. It directly impacts:
Business operations
Customer experience
Revenue growth
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 Australian businesses to hire skilled overseas workers when they cannot find suitable local candidates. This applies to:
Restaurants
Sponsor chefs, cooks and restaurant managers
Cafés
Sponsor cooks and managers you can't find locally
Hotels
Sponsor chefs and managers across your venues
Catering businesses
Sponsor qualified chefs for your kitchen teams
* The role must be on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists.
Who You Can Sponsor?
Eligibility
To sponsor a worker, the role must be on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists.
Common hospitality roles
Chefs
Chefs typically eligible for long term pathways (PR options available). Requires more detailed evidence.
Cooks
Cooks often eligible under short term visa streams.
Restaurant Managers
Restaurant Managers eligible depending on role level and responsibilities.
Who cannot be sponsored?
Most lower skilled roles are not eligible.
This is one of the most common mistakes employers make.
Waiters
Kitchen hands
Bar attendants
Main Visa Options for Hospitality Businesses
Visa Options
Skills in Demand
SUBCLASS 482
Temporary visa
Fast hiring solution
Ideal for immediate staff shortages
Temporary · fast
Employer Nomination Scheme
SUBCLASS 186
Permanent residency
Best for long term staff retention
Permanent
Regional Employers
SUBCLASS 494
For businesses in regional areas
Strong pathway to PR
More flexible occupation options
Regional · PR pathway
DAMA
LABOUR AGREEMENT
Reduced English requirements
A higher age limit (up to 55)
More flexible salary thresholds
DAMAs are structured labour agreements between the Australian Government and regional areas that help employers address workforce shortages, with an expanded list of eligible occupations.
Framework
What It Costs to Sponsor an Employee
Salary and Costs
Minimum salary (important)
subject to updates
$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
| Processing time | |
|---|---|
| 482 VISA | ~2–6 months |
| 186 VISA | Longer · PR pathway |
| 494 VISA | Varies |
| DAMA | 10 days to 6 months |
Become an Approved Sponsor
Apply for Standard Business Sponsorship (valid up to 5 years).
Nominate the Role
Prove the role is genuine, the salary meets requirements, and you cannot find local staff.
Visa Application
The employee applies for the visa.
Common Sponsorship Mistakes Hospitality Employers Make
Common Mistakes
- Choosing the wrong visa
- Sponsoring ineligible roles
- Not meeting salary requirements
- Incorrect job advertising (LMT issues)
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 the 494 visa
More occupation options
Easier pathway to PR
Why Many Hospitality Businesses Work with Migration Agents?
Why Use a Migration Agent
Sponsorship can be complex.
Many employers choose to work with experts to:
- Avoid costly mistakes
- Speed up the process
- Choose the right visa strategy
- Ensure compliance with immigration laws
At Pathway to Aus, we work directly with hospitality businesses across Australia to manage the entire 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
Australia: +61 7 5526 5900
Fiji: +679 922 3842
United Kingdom: +44 20 3948 3865
Send an email
info@pathwaytoaus.com
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2242 Gold Coast Highway,
Mermaid Beach, QLD, 4218
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London, W2 1AY, United Kingdom
(By Appointment Only)