Australia’s Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa allows businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they cannot find suitable local talent. For many employers, this visa is critical to filling genuine skills shortages and for visa applicants, it can also be a stepping stone toward permanent residency.
But sponsoring a worker under the 482 visa is not automatic. Employers must meet requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Based on official sponsorship requirements, we’ve set below a clear, practical breakdown of what a company must do to sponsor a 482 visa holder in Australia.
Read More Related Article 👇
Navigating Sponsorship in Aus: Your Guide to Finding Employment
What Is the 482 Skills in Demand Visa?
The Subclass 482 visa is a temporary work visa that allows Australian businesses to sponsor overseas workers for up to four years, depending on the occupation and stream.
To sponsor a worker, an employer must complete two key stages:
- Become an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
- Nominate the employee for a specific skilled role
Both stages MUST be lodged before the visa application can proceed.
Step 1: Becoming a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
A business must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor before sponsoring any overseas worker.
To be approved, the business must:
- Be lawfully operating in Australia
- Have no adverse business history
- Be the direct employer of the sponsored worker
- Demonstrate a commitment to:
- Employing local Australians where possible
- Fair and non-discriminatory employment practices
Once approved, SBS status is generally valid for five years.
Government fee: $420
Step 2: Nominating the Employee
The employer must nominate the overseas worker for a specific role after SBS approval.
Key nomination requirements include:
1. Occupation Must Be Eligible
The nominated position must be on the Core Skills List. Meaning it is recognised as an occupation experiencing skill shortages in Australia.
2. The Role Must Be Genuine
The business must show that:
- The role is genuinely required
- It addresses a real skills shortage
- The position fits within the normal operations of the business
In some cases, employers must also provide Labour Market Testing (LMT) to prove that they attempted to hire Australians first.
3. The Business Must Be Financially Viable
The company must demonstrate it has the financial capacity to employ the sponsored worker into the future. This is assessed using financial documents such as tax returns, BAS statements, and financial reports.
If you are a small business employer, you must be wondering if there is minimum turnover for your business to sponsor an employer. Click here to find out more or contact our team of experts at Pathway to Aus for further assistance.
4. Minimum Salary Requirements
The nominee must:
- Be paid the Australian Market Rate Salary, and
- Earn at least $76,515 + superannuation, which is the current Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
If an Australian employee already performs the same role at the same location, their salary becomes the benchmark.
5. Full-Time Employment Required
The business must offer the nominee a full-time position. Casual or part-time roles are not acceptable under the 482 nomination.
Nomination fees:
- $330 nomination fee
- $1,200 to $1,800 per year of visa (Skilling Australians Fund levy)
Read More Related Article
Australia’s TSMIT: Why the 2025 Increase Matters for Skilled Migration
Labour Market Testing (LMT) Requirements
If required, Labour Market Testing must show genuine efforts to recruit locally.
Acceptable LMT evidence includes:
- At least two job advertisements
- Advertised within the last 4 months
- Live for a minimum of 4 weeks
- Posted on platforms such as Seek, Indeed, or Jora
Each advertisement must include:
- Job title or description
- Required skills or experience
- Employer or recruitment agency name
- Salary (mandatory if under AUD 96,400)
*Please note, any nationalities are exempt from having to undertake Labour Market Testing
Common Documents Required for Sponsorship
Employers are usually asked to provide:
Business documents
- ABN registration
- Business name registration
- ASIC company extract
- Trust deed (if applicable)
Financial documents
- Most recent financial report
- BAS (last 12 months)
- Latest tax return
- Accountant’s letter
Operational evidence
- Lease or ownership documents for business premises
- Workforce profile
- Organisational chart
- Job description and duty statement
- Draft employment contract
Additional supporting evidence
- Market salary evidence
- Company advertisements
- Project lists and contracts
- Photos of premises, equipment, vehicles, and staff
- Labour Market Testing evidence (if required)
Final Thoughts: Get Sponsorship Right the First Time
Sponsoring a worker under the 482 visa can be an excellent solution for Australian businesses. But the process is highly regulated and document-heavy. Even small mistakes, such as incorrect salary benchmarks or missing LMT evidence can lead to refusal.
If you’re an employer considering sponsorship or a skilled worker seeking a sponsored role, professional guidance can save time, cost, and stress.
Need Help With 482 Visa Sponsorship?
For expert guidance on employer sponsorship, eligibility, or visa pathways, speak with a registered migration professional who can assess your situation properly and ensure everything is compliant.
Please note!
This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice.
FAQs
1. What are the employer requirements for sponsoring a 482 visa in Australia?
To sponsor a worker under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa, an employer must meet several key requirements which are:
- Be a lawfully operating business in Australia
- Obtain or hold Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) approval
- Nominate an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Show the position is genuine and full-time
- Offer a salary that meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and is in line with market rates
- Meet training and compliance obligations, including workplace laws
In short, the employer must prove the role is real, the business is legitimate and the overseas worker is being treated fairly.
2. How do you sponsor an employee for a 482 visa?
Sponsoring an employee for a 482 visa usually involves three main steps:
- Become an approved sponsor: The business applies for Standard Business Sponsorship if it’s not already approved.
- Nominate the position: The employer submits a nomination showing the job role, salary, location, and why an overseas worker is required.
- Employee lodges the visa application: Once the nomination is approved, the worker applies for the 482 visa and provides health, character, and skills evidence.
While the process sounds straightforward, mistakes can delay or refuse applications so many employers seek professional guidance before lodging. Pathway to Aus have assisted 60+ through sponsorship. Read the full article here.
3. How much does it cost an employer to sponsor a 482 visa?
The cost for employers sponsoring a 482 visa can vary, but typically includes:
- Sponsorship application fee (if not already approved)
- Nomination fee
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which is often the largest cost
- Small businesses: lower annual levy
- Medium to large businesses: higher annual levy
In most cases, employer costs can range from several thousand dollars to over $10,000, depending on business size and visa duration. Importantly, employers cannot pass these costs on to the employee.
4. What are the requirements for employer sponsorship of 482 visa in Australia?
Employer sponsorship in Australia generally requires that:
- The role cannot easily be filled locally
- The overseas worker has the skills, qualifications, and experience for the role
- The business meets sponsorship and nomination obligations
- Employment conditions are equivalent to Australian workers
Employer-sponsored visas are designed to fill genuine skill shortages—not to undercut wages or bypass local hiring.
5. How long does it take to process?
Most SBS and Nomination applications will take several months to process. However, please note, the SBS, Nomination or Visa Application does not need to be approved before the next visa can be lodged.
You only need to lodge the SBS, before you can then look to lodge the nomination and then lodge the visa.
If the applicant is onshore, once the visa has been lodged, they will be granted a bridging visa which will allow them to remain in Australia for the visa to process.
