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 towards 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 legislative sponsorship requirements, we’ve outlined below a clear, practical breakdown of what a company must do to sponsor a 482 visa holder in Australia.
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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 position
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 they are able to sponsor 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, the SBS validity period is usually five years.
Government fee: $420
Step 2: Nominating the Employee
The employer must nominate the overseas worker for a specific skilled position 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 most cases, employers must also undertake 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 a 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 information and assistance.
4. Minimum Salary Requirements
The nominee must:
- Be paid the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR), and
- Regardless of the ASMR, 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 also becomes a benchmark.
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5. Full-Time Employment Required
The business must offer the nominee a full-time position. Casual or part-time roles are not eligible under the 482 nomination.
Nomination fees:
- $330 nomination fee
- $1,200 to $1,800 per year of visa (Skilling Australians Fund levy)
Labour Market Testing (LMT) Requirements
If required, Labour Market Testing must show that genuine efforts have been made to recruit an Australian worker from the local labour market.
Acceptable LMT evidence includes:
- At least two job advertisements
- Advertised within the last 4 months
- Live for a minimum of 4 weeks (updated in DHA as of June 2025)
- Posted on platforms such as Seek, Indeed, Work in Aus, or Workforce Australia
Each advertisement must include:
- Job title or description
- Required skills or experience
- Employer or recruitment agency name
- Salary (mandatory if under AUD 96,400)
- That the position is full time
*Please note, some 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)
- Lease or ownership documents for business premises
Financial documents
- Most recent financial reports
- BAS (last 12 months)
- Latest tax return
- Accountant’s support letter
Position documents
- 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)
Download the 482 Sponsorship Guide
This guide breaks down exactly what Australian employers must do to sponsor legally and successfully. From becoming an approved sponsor to meeting salary, nomination, and labour market testing requirements, you will get a clear, practical overview without the government jargon.
Request the Guide
Please fill out your details, and you will be able to download the guide.
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 a 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 you submit the strongest possible application,
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 holder in Australia?
To sponsor a worker under the Skills in Demand Visa (SID) 482 visa, an employer must meet several key requirements which are:
- Be a lawfully operating business in Australia
- Be or apply to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
- Nominate a position that is on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Show that the position is genuine and full-time
- Offer a salary that meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and is also in line with market rates
- Meet training and compliance obligations, including workplace laws, and monitoring
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:
- Apply to become a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS): The business applies for Standard Business Sponsorship if it’s not already approved.
- Nominate a position: The employer submits an application that shows the job details, salary, location, and why an overseas worker is required.
- Employee lodges the visa application: Once the nomination is approved or lodged, the worker applies for the 482 visa and provides health, character, and skills evidence.
While the process sounds straightforward, mistakes can delay or result in the refusal of an application, so many employers seek professional guidance before lodging. Pathway to Aus have assisted 60+ businesses with their sponsorship requirements. 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) : $420
- Nomination fee: $330
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which is often the largest cost: $1,200 – $1,800 per year of visa
- 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 via a 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 agrees to meet 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 application can be lodged.
You only need to lodge the SBS application first, and then you can look to lodge the nomination and after that the visa application.
If the applicant is onshore, when the visa application is lodged, they will be granted a bridging visa which will allow them to remain in Australia whilst the visa is being processed, often with full work rights.
