For employers
Sponsor the skilled people your business needs.
We handle sponsorship, nominations and compliance so you can focus on running your business.
What we help with
Standard business sponsorship (SBS)
Becoming an approved sponsor — the first step to employing overseas workers.
Temporary nominations (482)
Nominating a position, including labour market testing advice and market salary evidence.
Permanent nominations (186)
Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition pathways for staff you want to keep.
Regional sponsorship (494)
Sponsoring skilled workers for positions in designated regional areas.
DAMA labour agreements
Endorsement and labour agreement applications under 13 DAMA regions.
Sponsor obligations
Plain-English guidance on what you need to do once you’re a sponsor.
What you’ll need to provide
We send a tailored checklist and pre-fill what we can in our secure portal. Typically it covers:
- Business financial evidence
- Position description
- Organisation chart
- Labour market testing evidence
- Employment contract
- Genuine position evidence
Common questions
How long does sponsorship take?
It depends on the visa subclass, the occupation and how quickly documents come together. Before anything is lodged, allow time for labour market testing (usually at least four weeks of advertising) and for gathering your business documents. Once lodged, the Department’s processing times vary throughout the year. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe for your situation at the start, and keep you updated at every stage.
What does it cost the business?
Costs usually include Government application fees for sponsorship and nomination, the Skilling Australians Fund levy (which depends on your business turnover and the length of the visa), advertising costs for labour market testing, and our professional fees. Some costs must legally be paid by the employer and can’t be passed on to the worker. We’ll give you a clear written quote upfront, with no hidden fees.
Do I have to advertise the role first?
In most cases, yes. For most 482 and 494 nominations, you must show you’ve genuinely tried to find a suitable Australian worker first. This is called labour market testing. Ads generally need to run for at least 28 days, within four months before the nomination is lodged. Some exemptions apply, for example under certain international trade agreements. We’ll tell you exactly what’s needed for your role before you spend money on advertising.
Is a DAMA right for my business?
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) may suit you if your business is located in a DAMA region and you need workers in occupations that aren’t covered by the standard skilled lists, or you need concessions such as on age, English or salary. DAMAs are available in specific regions only, including WA, the NT, parts of QLD, SA & VIC and the Orana region of NSW. We can check whether your location and role are eligible, and handle the endorsement and labour agreement process for you.