Standard Business Sponsorship
Accredited Sponsor Status
Accredited Sponsor status is an elevated designation within Standard Business Sponsorship, available to employers with a strong compliance record and ongoing or high-volume sponsorship needs. It provides priority processing for nominations and reduced evidentiary requirements, delivering significant time and cost efficiencies.
What Accredited Sponsor status provides
The principal benefit of Accredited Sponsor status is priority processing for nominations under the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). The Department targets a median processing time of seven days for nominations lodged by Accredited Sponsors in the Core Skills stream. This compares favourably to standard processing times, which can run to several months.
Accredited Sponsors may also benefit from reduced evidentiary requirements for individual nominations, as the Department places greater reliance on the sponsor's compliance record rather than requiring extensive supporting documentation for every nomination.
Eligibility for Accredited Sponsor status requires current Standard Business Sponsorship, a strong compliance history, a minimum number of current sponsored workers, and a demonstrated ongoing need for overseas workers. The status is approved for three years.
Priority nomination processing
The Department targets a median processing time of seven days for 482 Core Skills stream nominations lodged by Accredited Sponsors. This is a significant advantage for time-sensitive hires.
Reduced evidentiary requirements
Accredited Sponsors may lodge nominations with reduced supporting documentation. The Department places greater reliance on the sponsor's compliance record in assessing each nomination.
Eligibility requirements
Current SBS, strong compliance history with no adverse findings, a minimum number of sponsored workers, and a demonstrated ongoing need for overseas workers.
Three-year approval period
Accredited Sponsor status is approved for three years. Renewal requires the business to continue meeting the eligibility criteria.
7 days
Priority processing target
3 years
Accreditation approval period
Reduced
Evidentiary requirements
SBS
Base approval required
Why instruct Visa Plan for your Accreditation application?
Eligibility assessment
We assess your current compliance record, number of sponsored workers, and sponsorship history to confirm eligibility before the accreditation application is lodged.
Application preparation
We prepare the accreditation application with evidence that demonstrates your compliance record and ongoing sponsorship need, maximising the prospects of approval.
Compliance program support
Maintaining Accredited Sponsor status requires continued compliance. We assist with developing internal processes that protect the accreditation over its three-year approval period.
Accredited Sponsor information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at April 2026. Accreditation criteria and benefits are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.