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Employer-Sponsored Work Visas Australia

Employer Sponsorship & Skilled Work Visas –
Just Fair Law

At Just Fair Law, we assist Australian employers and skilled overseas workers with employer-sponsored work visas and permanent residence pathways. Many Australian businesses face ongoing skills shortages, and employer sponsorship remains one of the most effective ways to lawfully engage overseas talent.

Our Australian Migration Lawyers and Employer Sponsorship Specialists advise on temporary and permanent employer sponsored visas, including:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) – Subclass 186

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 494

• Temporary Activity Visa – Subclass 408

• Labour Agreements and related sponsorship pathways

We assist clients across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Queensland, and Australia-wide.

Employer Sponsored Work Visas – How We Help

Australian employer sponsored visas each have specific legal requirements, compliance obligations, and strategic considerations. Our role is to ensure applications are accurate, compliant, and commercially practical.

We act for both skilled workers and Australian employers.

For Skilled Workers

If you have received a job offer from an Australian business and require visa sponsorship, our migration lawyers can:

• Assess the most suitable employer sponsored visa

• Manage the visa application process

• Liaise directly with your sponsoring employer

• Advise on pathways to permanent residency

We provide clear advice on eligibility, timing, and long-term migration strategy.

For Australian Employers

If your business is unable to recruit suitably qualified Australian workers and has identified an overseas candidate, Just Fair Law can assist with:

• Becoming an approved sponsor

• Nomination applications

• Labour Market Testing (LMT) compliance

• Salary, AMSR, and sponsorship obligations

• Ongoing compliance and risk management

Where required, we also work with recruitment partners to assist employers in sourcing skilled international candidates.

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa – Subclass 482

The TSS 482 visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers where no suitably qualified local worker is available.

We manage the process through three structured stages:

Step 1 – Sponsorship Approval

We assist employers to become Standard Business Sponsors, generally approved for up to five years, subject to compliance history.

Step 2 – Nomination Application

We prepare and lodge nomination applications, including:

• Labour Market Testing

• Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) compliance

• Position and skills alignment

Step 3 – Visa Application

We assist the sponsored worker with the visa application, ensuring compliance with:

• Skills and qualifications

• English language requirements

• Health and character criteria

Visa Streams & Duration

• Short-Term Stream: Up to 2 years (or up to 4 years where international trade obligations apply)

• Medium-Term Stream: Up to 4 years, with a potential permanent residency pathway via Subclass 186

• Labour Agreement Stream: Tailored arrangements with possible concessions, including age and English requirements

Eligible family members may be included as secondary applicants.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 494

The Subclass 494 visa enables Australian employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled workers.

Key features include:

• Valid for up to 5 years

• Pathway to permanent residency after 3 years of eligible regional employment

• Employer nomination and positive skills assessment required

• Age limit generally under 45 (unless exemptions apply)

• English language and work experience requirements apply

• Eligible family members may be included

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) – Subclass 186 (Permanent Residence)

The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent residence visa allowing skilled workers to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

Streams include:

Direct Entry Stream

• At least 3 years of relevant skilled work experience

• Positive skills assessment

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

• For eligible TSS 482 (or former 457) visa holders

• Generally requires at least 2–3 years of full-time employment with the sponsoring employer (subject to transitional and legislative settings at time of application)

Labour Agreement Stream

• For workers sponsored under an approved labour agreement

Permanent residents may later be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, subject to residency and character requirements.

Temporary Activity Visa – Subclass 408

The Subclass 408 visa covers a range of short-term specialised activities, typically ranging from 3 months to 2 years, including:

• Cultural exchange and special programs

• Religious work

• Research and academic activities

• Sporting, entertainment, and cultural events

• Superyacht crew and domestic worker arrangements

• Other approved temporary activities

Eligibility depends on the specific stream and activity.

Transitional & Legacy Pathways

Certain Subclass 457 and early Subclass 482 visa holders may still be eligible for transitional permanent residence pathways, depending on:

• Date of original visa grant

• Continuous employment

• Legislative cut-off provisions

If you are a current or former 457 or 482 visa holder seeking permanent residency, tailored legal advice is essential.

Why Choose Just Fair Law?

• Australian migration lawyers with employer sponsorship expertise

• End-to-end visa and sponsorship management

• Strategic advice for employers and skilled workers

• Compliance-focused and commercially practical solutions

• Serving Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney & Australia-wide

If you are an Australian employer seeking to sponsor staff, or a skilled worker looking for an employer-sponsored visa or permanent residency pathway, contact Just Fair Law for an assessment.

Important Disclaimer

The information on this website is general information only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Migration law is complex and subject to change. Each matter is assessed on a case-by-case basis.