How to Sponsor a Skilled Overseas Worker – 2025 Employer Guide

How to Sponsor a Skilled Overseas Worker for Your Business in Australia (2025 Guide)

Struggling to find the right talent locally? If your business can’t fill a critical role from the Australian workforce, consider to sponsor a skilled overseas worker as it could be your best solution! And it’s supported by the Australian Government who provides employment sponsorship visa, allowing you to have skilled overseas workers to fill the position.

This guide explains everything you need to know, from choosing the correct visa subclass to the exact steps for sponsorship, based on 2025 Australian immigration requirements.

What employment sponsorship visas are available?

You can sponsor a skilled overseas worker under one of the following visas:

• Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Visa;
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Visa; and
• Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) Visa

Here are the key differences among these visa subclasses:

Expert tips:

• If your business operates in a designated regional area, we recommend considering the subclass 494 Visa as the visa is designed specifically for business in a regional area.
• If your business is in a metropolitan area, a subclass 482 Visa or 186 visa may be more suitable.

Read more: Australia Moves to Multi-Year Migration Planning Level Model

Key factors to choose the right visa subclass

To decide the best visa subclass to sponsor the overseas skilled worker, consider these factors first:

1. Location of your business

If your business operates in a regional area, consider the subclass 494 Visa as it may be the best fit. Meanwhile, if your business operates in a non-regional area, the subclass 482 or 186 Visa may be the best option.

2. Occupation demand

It’s crucial to double-check your position with the Skilled Occupation List. Currently, there are four skilled occupation lists you can refer to: Core Skills Occupation List, Short-term Skilled Occupation List, Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skilled List and Regional Occupation List.

The Core Skills Occupation List is specific to 482 Visa – Core Skills stream only. So, if the position is listed on Core Skills Occupation List, you must sponsor the candidate under 482 Visa – Core Skills stream.

3. Skilled worker’s background

Check the overseas skilled worker’s skills, qualifications, English proficiency, licensing requirements, work experience, etc. and match these to the visa subclass criteria.

For example, the 494 Visa requires at least 3 years of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation. In comparison, the 482 Visa requires only 1 year of full-time work experience. If your candidate has only 2 years of full-time work experience, the suitable visa subclass is the 482 Visa.

If you need guidance on deciding the best visa subclass for your candidate, book an appointment with our Registered Migration Agent now and they will ensure the chosen visa subclass suits your business needs and the candidate’s background.

How to sponsor a skilled overseas worker under an employer sponsorship visa?

Here are the five steps to sponsor a skilled overseas worker:

Step 1: Check the eligibility criteria

Both your business and the overseas worker must meet the requirements, which are:

For the business:

• Must be legally and actively operating in Australia.
• Must have a good compliance record with Australian workplace laws.
• Must demonstrate financial capacity to employ and pay the nominee at or above market salary rates.
• Must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy:
  • Small business (< AUD 10m turnover): AUD 1,200 per year of visa validity
  • Other businesses: AUD 1,800 per year of visa validity.

For the worker (employee):

• Occupation must be on the relevant list for the visa stream.
• Meet the English proficiency requirements.
• Hold any required licensing or registration.
• Have relevant work experience.
• Meet health and character requirements.

Step 2: Apply for the Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

You can submit an SBS application online through ImmiAccount. It costs AUD 420 for one application, and the processing time is between 6 and 21 days. Once approved, the SBS is valid for 5 years, and you can use it for multiple sponsorships while it’s valid.

Documents you will need:

• Business registration documents.
• Evidence of lawful and active operation.
• Organisational structure & financials.

Step 3: Labour Market Testing (LMT)

This process is required for subclass 482 and 494 Visas unless an exemption applies. The LMT requires you to:

• Advertise the position for at least 4 consecutive weeks.
• Use at least two accepted recruitment platforms, such as SEEK, LinkedIn, or major national newspapers.
• Include the details of the position in the ad, such as job title & description, skills & experience required, salary range, and employer/business name.

Step 4: Nominate the Skilled Worker

You can submit the nomination through ImmiAccount and provide evidence of:

• Genuine need for the position.
• Occupation on the approved list.
• Salary meeting the TSMIT (currently set at AUD 76,515) plus superannuation or market rate, whichever is higher.

You may also need supporting documents, such as:

• Employment contract.
• Organisational chart
• Proof of LMT.

Step 5: Lodge the Visa application

You can lodge the employment sponsorship visa application after nomination approval or concurrently with the nomination application. You must submit all required documents showing that the skilled worker meets the visa requirements, such as qualifications, English tests, health checks, police clearance, etc.

You must also pay the Visa application charges, depending on the visa subclass you’re applying for.

Read more: Termination of Work Contract Leads to 482 Visa Cancellation?

Why should you work with ONEderland Consulting?

The sponsorship process can be complex. Missing a single requirement may delay or jeopardise the application. But, at ONEderland Consulting, we:

• Handle SBS, nomination, and visa application processes from start to finish.
• Advise on the best visa pathway for your business needs.
• Assist with occupation list checks, skills assessments, and compliance.
• Have a 98% success rate and specialise in complex cases.

Don’t risk your business growth by facing skill shortages. Contact our expert team to discuss your needs and secure the right talent for your company:

Don’t risk your business growth by facing skill shortages. Contact our expert team to discuss your needs and secure the right talent for your company. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will assist you, ensuring a smooth and stress-free employment sponsorship visa application to sponsor a skilled overseas worker.

With a 98% success rate and being one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents, we provide the confidence and security you need. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews to see how we’ve helped others like you.

We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.

Take the first step and contact us. Our team members are honest, accountable and professional. Contact us via email at visa@onederland.com.au, by phone at 1300 827 159, or through WhatsApp at +61494372414. Alternatively, you can book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee Program.