Employer Sponsorship
Employer Sponsored Visa Sponsorship
Before an Australian employer can nominate an overseas worker, the employer must hold the appropriate sponsorship approval from the Department of Home Affairs. Sponsorship approval is not a formality. It carries ongoing compliance obligations that apply for the life of each sponsorship arrangement.
Standard Business Sponsorship
Standard Business Sponsorship is the approval required to nominate workers under the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). It is the foundation of any employer sponsored migration program.
To be approved, the business must be lawfully operating in Australia, have no adverse immigration or workplace compliance history, and demonstrate a genuine need to employ overseas workers. Standard Business Sponsorship is approved for five years for established businesses.
Employers with a strong compliance record and high or ongoing sponsorship needs may apply for Accredited Sponsor status, which provides priority processing and a streamlined nomination pathway.
Temporary Activities Sponsorship
Temporary Activities Sponsorship is the separate approval required to sponsor workers under the Training visa (subclass 407) and the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408). Standard Business Sponsorship does not extend to these visa subclasses.
Standard Business Sponsorship
Required for 482 SID and 186 ENS nominations. Approved for five years. Authorises the employer to sponsor but does not pre-approve individual nominations.
Accredited Sponsor status
Elevated designation for high-volume sponsors with strong compliance records. Provides priority processing and reduced evidentiary requirements for each nomination.
Temporary Activities Sponsorship
Required for 407 Training and 408 Temporary Activity visa sponsorship. A separate approval from SBS. Both can be held concurrently by the same organisation.
Sponsorship compliance
Approved sponsors carry ongoing obligations. Common failures include salary underpayment, occupation drift, failure to notify the Department of changes, and recovering prohibited costs from workers.
5 years
SBS approval period
5 years
TAS approval period
7 days
Accredited processing target
2
Independent approval types
Why instruct Visa Plan for your sponsorship?
Sponsorship application
We prepare Standard Business Sponsorship and Temporary Activities Sponsorship applications that address the Department's requirements and present the business accurately and completely.
Ongoing compliance advice
Sponsorship compliance is a continuing obligation. We advise employers on their obligations, respond to Department inquiries, and assist with sponsor audits throughout the approval period.
Accreditation strategy
For employers with high-volume sponsorship programs, we assess eligibility for Accredited Sponsor status and manage the accreditation application to unlock priority processing benefits.
Sponsorship information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at 11 June 2026. Sponsorship obligations and approval criteria are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.