Securing visa sponsorship is a crucial step for many skilled workers looking to live and work in Australia. For employers, sponsoring a skilled worker can help fill critical roles that are difficult to source locally. At VisaTasker Pty Ltd, we guide both employers and employees through the sponsorship process, ensuring compliance with Australian immigration laws and increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
What is Visa Sponsorship?
Visa sponsorship is a process where an Australian employer nominates a foreign worker for a visa, allowing them to work in Australia temporarily or permanently. This process is essential for skilled workers who do not have the right to work in Australia without a sponsored visa.
Key Visa Sponsorship Options in Australia
Australia offers several visa options that require employer sponsorship:
1. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)
- Short-Term and Medium-Term Streams: The TSS Visa allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for a period of up to four years, depending on the occupation. It is designed to address labor shortages by filling roles with qualified workers from overseas.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: The Medium-Term Stream provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186).
2. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)
- Permanent Residency: The ENS Visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. It is available to workers who have been nominated by their employer under one of three streams: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, or the Labor Agreement stream.
3. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187)
- For Regional Areas: This visa was available to workers nominated by an employer in a regional area of Australia. Though it has been replaced by the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494), those who already hold it can still transition to permanent residency.
4. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
- Regional Focus: This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years, with a pathway to permanent residency.
Steps in the Visa Sponsorship Process
1. Employer Sponsorship Approval
- Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS): Before an employer can sponsor a worker, they must apply to become an approved sponsor through the Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) process. This approval allows them to nominate skilled workers for the TSS Visa and other relevant visas.
- Labor Market Testing (LMT): Employers are generally required to conduct labor market testing to prove that they were unable to find a suitable Australian candidate for the position before sponsoring an overseas worker.
2. Nomination Application
- Role Nomination: Once the employer is an approved sponsor, they can nominate a specific position for a foreign worker. The nomination application involves providing detailed information about the role, the worker’s qualifications, and the company’s need for the position.
- Genuine Need: The employer must demonstrate that the role is genuine and that the foreign worker is the best fit for the position.
3. Visa Application
- Worker’s Responsibility: After the nomination is approved, the skilled worker applies for the visa. This application includes providing documents that prove their identity, qualifications, work experience, and English language proficiency.
- Health and Character Checks: The applicant must undergo health examinations and provide police clearance certificates to meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
4. Visa Processing and Decision
- Processing Time: The processing time for sponsorship visas can vary depending on the visa subclass, the applicant’s country of origin, and the completeness of the application. It is essential to submit all required documents promptly to avoid delays.
- Bridging Visa: If the applicant is in Australia and their current visa expires while waiting for the decision, they may be granted a Bridging Visa to remain lawful during the processing period.
Common Challenges in the Sponsorship Process
- Sponsorship Refusals: Sponsorship applications can be refused if the employer fails to meet the requirements or if the Department of Home Affairs determines that the role is not genuine.
- Visa Refusals: Visa applications may be refused due to insufficient documentation, failure to meet health or character requirements, or discrepancies between the nomination and visa applications.
Why Choose VisaTasker Pty Ltd?
Navigating the visa sponsorship process can be complex for both employers and skilled workers. At VisaTasker Pty Ltd, our agents are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), and we provide expert guidance to help you understand the requirements, avoid common pitfalls, and increase your chances of a successful sponsorship.
Contact Us Today
Are you an employer looking to sponsor a skilled worker, or a worker seeking visa sponsorship in Australia? Book a consultation with VisaTasker Pty Ltd, and let us assist you through every step of the sponsorship process.