In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Australian government further expanded the quota for employer sponsored visas, increasing it from 36800 last year to 44000, becoming a major highlight of the Australian skilled migration system. Especially in the context of reduced quotas for independent skilled migration and state sponsored visas, employer sponsored visas have become particularly important. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the latest employer sponsorship policies and their advantages, helping you better uderstand this low threshold high return immigration path.
1、 Latest favorable policies for employer guarantees
In the past year, the Australian government has made multiple policy adjustments to employer sponsored visas, reducing the difficulty of application and increasing the success rate of applications. Here are several important new policies:
1) 482 visa unrestricted occupation list: Starting from November 25, 2023, 482 holders will no longer be restricted by a specific occupation list, and can apply for a 186 permanent residence visa for both short-term and medium to long-term occupations.
2) The length of work for converting 482 to 186 permanent residency has been shortened: The length of work for converting 186 permanent residency has been reduced from three years to two years, and one only needs to work for the employer for two years to apply.
3) Relaxation of work experience requirements: Starting from November 23, 2024, applicants for the 482 visa only need one year of full-time work experience, no longer two years.
4) Flexible Transfer Period: Starting from July 1, 2024, 457, 482, 494 visa holders who terminate their employment with their sponsoring employer will have 180 days to find a new employer, significantly longer than the original 60 days.
The relaxation of these policies greatly reduces the difficulty of applying for employer sponsored visas and provides applicants with more flexible choices.
2、 Types of Employer Sponsored Visa
Employer sponsorship is not only a way to obtain permanent residency (PR), but also a great option for temporary work visas. The following are common types of employer sponsored visas:
1) 407 visa: designed specifically for vocational training or academic research, suitable for individuals undergoing specific training in Australia, valid for 1 to 2 years.
2) 482 visa: Temporary skills shortage visa, allowing Australian companies to hire overseas skilled workers to fill Australia's skills gap. Divided into three categories: short-term, medium-term, and labor agreements.
3) 186 visa: Permanent resident visa, suitable for skilled workers with work experience, providing the opportunity to directly apply for PR or convert to 186 through 482 visa.
3、 The application process for employer sponsorship
The application process for employer sponsorship may seem simple, but there are still many uncertainties in practice. The main process includes:
1) Confirm occupation and employer: Confirm the applicant's occupation on the relevant occupation list and find an Australian employer willing to sponsor.
2) Employer nomination: The employer submits a nomination application and must prove that the position is required by the company and that a suitable candidate cannot be found locally.
3) Visa application: After the nomination is approved, the applicant submits the visa application and provides relevant supporting documents.
4) Visa approval: The visa processing cycle varies depending on the type of visa, and can be completed within one month at the earliest.
4、 The advantages of employer guarantee
1) Low threshold, high opportunity: Employer sponsored visas do not require scoring and are not subject to the competitive pressure of high scoring skilled immigrants. Especially for older applicants and those with rich work experience, employer sponsorship provides a more secure immigration path.
2) Quick approval: For applicants who are already working in Australia or have employer support, the approval speed for employer sponsored visas is relatively fast, especially with no quota limit for the 482 visa.
3) One step approach: The 186 visa allows applicants to obtain permanent residency status in one step, avoiding the hassle of multiple renewals.
5、 Costs and Requirements
The cost of employer guarantee is divided into two parts: employer and employee, including:
Application fee: 482 visa main application $1445186 visa main application $4640.
SAF Levy (employer contribution): Depending on the size of the company, small businesses on the 482 visa are required to pay $1200 per year, while large businesses are required to pay $1800 per year.
Other expenses: such as vocational assessment fees, language exam fees, etc.
Employer sponsored visas have become the preferred immigration pathway for many applicants, especially for those who are older, have insufficient bonus points, or have low English proficiency. Whether as a Plan B or directly as a first choice, employer sponsorship provides applicants with a more flexible and feasible immigration option.
If you are facing a lack of age bonus points or hope to achieve immigration through work experience, employer sponsorship is a worthwhile option to consider. Seizing the current policy dividends and taking early action will be an important step towards successfully immigrating to Australia.
If you have any further immigration issues, please feel free to contact us for detailed consultation services.