Employer Sponsorship Explained: How to Become an Approved Sponsor
Australia continues to rely on skilled overseas professionals to fill critical workforce shortages. For businesses struggling to find suitable local talent, employer sponsorship in Australia offers a powerful and lawful pathway to hire skilled workers from overseas.
However, before you can sponsor a foreign employee, your business must first become an approved sponsor in Australia.
This guide explains everything employers need to know right from eligibility and requirements to visa options and the step-by-step sponsorship process.
What Is Employer Sponsorship in Australia?
Employer sponsored migration in Australia allows Australian businesses to nominate and sponsor skilled overseas workers for specific roles where local talent is unavailable. Through this system, employers can support visas such as:
- TSS visa 482 sponsorship
- ENS visa 186
- Other temporary and permanent employer-sponsored visa options in Australia
To legally sponsor a worker, the business must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs as a sponsor.
Who Can Become an Approved Sponsor in Australia?
To qualify as an approved sponsor in Australia, your business must:
- Be lawfully operating in Australia
- Have a genuine need for a skilled position
- Demonstrate financial capacity to employ overseas workers
- Comply with Australian workplace and immigration laws
- Meet employer sponsorship requirements in Australia
Both Australian businesses and overseas companies operating in Australia may be eligible under the company sponsorship visa in Australia framework.
Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) Explained
Most employers apply to become a standard business sponsor in Australia, also known as SBS.
As an SBS, you can:
- Sponsor overseas employees in Australia for skilled roles
- Nominate workers for temporary or permanent visas
- Access faster processing for repeat nominations
The SBS visa in Australia approval is generally valid for:
- 5 years (established businesses)
- 18 months (new or start-up businesses)
How to Become an Approved Sponsor in Australia
If you’re wondering how to become an approved sponsor, here’s a simplified breakdown of the employer visa sponsorship process:-
Step 1: Apply for Sponsorship Approval
Submit evidence showing your business is genuine, lawful, and compliant.
Step 2: Nominate the Position
Prove the role is genuine, skilled, and meets market salary requirements.
Step 3: Visa Application by the Employee
The sponsored worker applies for the relevant employer-sponsored visa in Australia.
This three-stage process ensures transparency and fairness for both employers and visa applicants.
Which Visas Can Employers Sponsor?
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
The TSS visa 482 sponsorship allows employers to hire skilled workers for temporary roles where shortages exist.
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
The ENS visa 186 offers permanent residence to skilled workers sponsored by eligible employers.
Both visas are central to successfully sponsoring an employee in Australia.
Who Can You Sponsor?
Under sponsor foreign workers in Australia, employers can sponsor candidates who:
- Have relevant qualifications and work experience
- Meet English language requirements
- Are nominated for an eligible occupation
- Meet health and character criteria
This ensures only suitably skilled individuals enter Australia’s workforce.
Employer Sponsorship Obligations
Once approved, employers must:
- Pay market salary rates
- Ensure equivalent working conditions
- Keep records and notify of changes
- Avoid discriminatory recruitment practices
Failing to meet these obligations can result in penalties or sponsorship cancellation.
Benefits of Employer Sponsorship for Businesses
Choosing employer sponsorship in Australia allows businesses to:
- Access global talent
- Fill skill gaps faster
- Retain skilled workers long-term
- Support business growth and continuity
For many companies, employer sponsored migration in Australia is a strategic workforce solution.
Why Choose Visa Empire for Employer Sponsorship?
Navigating sponsorship laws can be complex and time-sensitive. Visa Empire simplifies the process with expert guidance tailored to your business needs.
Why businesses trust Visa Empire:
- Deep expertise in employer sponsorship in Australia
- End-to-end handling of sponsorship, nomination, and visas
- Reduced refusal risks and faster outcomes
- Trusted migration agents in Perth with national reach
Whether you’re applying for SBS approval or sponsoring your first overseas employee, Visa Empire ensures accuracy, compliance, and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Becoming an approved sponsor opens doors to global talent and long-term workforce stability. Understanding how to become an approved sponsor, choosing the right visa pathway, and meeting compliance requirements are essential for success.
If your business is planning to sponsor foreign workers in Australia, expert assistance can make all the difference. Contact Visa Empire today!!!
We are Perth’s trusted migration specialists. Take the first confident step toward sponsoring skilled professionals for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I become an approved sponsor in Australia?
To become an approved sponsor in Australia, a business must apply to the Department of Home Affairs, demonstrate lawful operation, meet sponsorship obligations, and show a genuine need to employ overseas skilled workers under an eligible visa program such as the TSS (Subclass 482).
2. How long does it take for a company to become a sponsor in Australia?
The processing time to become an approved sponsor typically ranges from 1 week to 2 months, depending on the business profile, completeness of documents, and current Home Affairs processing times.
