On this page: Standard Business Sponsorship 457, Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, Labour Agreement Program, Invest Australia Supported Skills Scheme

STANDARD BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP 457 

This visa is for employers who would like to employ overseas workers to fill nominated skilled positions in Australia for a period between 3 months and 4 years.  The minimum salary level is currently set at $57,300 for Information Technology occupations and at $43,440 for all other gazetted occupations.  Concession of some requirements may apply to employers in regional areas of Australia.  Holders of the 457 visa may apply for permanent residence after certain requirements have been met.  Family members and dependents are given full work and study rights and all applicants for all visas on this page must meet health and character requirements.     

As an employee, you must meet all of the following basic requirements.  For further information and appointment please ring 9386 5525 or contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net

• be sponsored by an employer to fill a nominated position

• have the correct experience/employment background, qualifications and skills which match those required for the position

• have English language skills equivalent to an average band score of 4.5 across the four test components in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or higher where required for licensing/registration/membership

•  be eligible for any registration or relevant licences required for the nominated position

• you and any family members must meet health and character checks

As an employer, you must meet all of the following requirements.  For detailed information about your responsibilities please contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net or ring 61 3 9386 5525.

• be responsible for employee costs

• comply with immigration laws

• cooperate with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

• comply with the terms of the nomination

• comply with workplace relations laws

The nominated position and sponsorship must benefit Australia by either: 

• providing employment for Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents
• expanding Australian trade in goods or services
• improving business links with international markets
• improving competitiveness within the sectors of the Australian economy.

As an employer you must also demonstrate that your Australian business operations will meet one of the following requirements:

• introduce, use or create new business skills
• introduce, use or create new or improved technology
• have a satisfactory record of, or a demonstrated commitment towards training Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents.

If you are an employer with a business that has no formal operating base or representation in Australia, you may apply to bring employees to Australia to do one of the following:

• establish a branch or other business activity such as joint ventures, agency distributorships or subsidiary branches in Australia
• fulfil obligations for a contract or other business activity in Australia.

Note: Overseas Business Sponsors do not need to be operating in Australia but must meet all other employer eligibility requirements.

For an appointment to discuss your visa application ring 61 3 9386 5525 or contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net

 EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME

This scheme allows employers to recruit highly skilled workers and their family members and dependents from overseas to fill positions in the Australian labour market which cannot be filled locally. 

 It also allows current 457 visa holders to apply for permanent residence within Australia.  The minimum salary level is set at $43,440 and 57,300 for Information Technology occupations.  The nominated position must be full-time and available for at least three years with a training plan/strategy in place for employees.  Family members and dependents can be included in the visa application.  

As a current 457 holder you must: 

• have worked for at least two years in Australia in your nominated occupation and for at least twelve months with your nominating employer immediately prior to lodging your application (holders of visas 418, 421, 422, 428, 444 and 461 are also eligible to apply for permanent residence under this scheme or

• have had your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority and unless exceptional circumstances apply; have at least three years full time work in your nominated occupation or

• have been nominated for a senior executive position with an annual salaray of $165,000

• have skills/qualifications/experience relevant to the nominated position

• be less than 45 years old

• have vocational english

• you may be eligible for exemptions of age, skill and language requirments

• you and any dependents/family members must meet health and character requirments

**the above requirements also apply to persons applying from overseas

As an employer: you must meet the following requirements for sponsoring an employee for permanent residence:

• your business must be active and lawfully registered in Australia

• have a genuine need to fill a vacant position on a permanent basis

• the vacant position must be a highly skilled occupation on the Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL)

• comply with all immigration and workplace relations laws

• have a current training strategy in place for existing Australian employees.  (newly established businesses must have a future training plan)

• meet the minimum salary requirement for the ENS ie $43,440 and $57,300 for other IT positions.  For further information on occupations/salary levels or for an appointment please ring 9386 5525 or contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net

REGIONAL SPONSORSED MIGRATION SCHEME

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) allows employers in regional Australia and low population growth areas to nominate temporary residents currently in Australia, or people from overseas to fill permanent positions they are unable to fill from the local labour market.  Family members and any dependents can be also be included in these visa applications for permanent residence.  Employers must lodge their nomination for certification by a Regional Certifying Body and the nominated position must be offered on a two year full-time basis. All workplace relations and immigration laws must be adhered to.

Employees must be less than 45 years of age, have qualifications at diploma level or higher (although trade certificate with full apprenticeship is considered equivalent to diploma level) and have functional english.  Some exemptions from these requirements may apply.  For further information on this scheme please ring 9386 5525 or contact info@migrationtoaustralia.net

LABOUR AGREEMENT PROGRAM

Labour Agreements are formal arrangements negotiated between the Australian Government and an employer or industrial association. These agreements enable Australian employers to recruit a specified number of workers from overseas in response to identified or emerging labour market (or skill shortages) in Australia. They are for either permanent or temporary entry to Australia.  Some large employers of doctors may have labour agreements in place. Doctors should ask potential employers about a labour agreement.

INVEST AUSTRALIA SUPPORTED SKILLS SCHEME