Employer-Sponsored Visas
If an Australian employer wants to hire you, there are three main sponsored pathways. Which one fits depends on the role, where the business is located, and whether you want to start on a temporary visa or move straight towards permanent residence. We check the role, the employer and your own circumstances first, so the pathway is realistic before anyone commits.
There are three main ways a worker can be sponsored by an Australian employer: the Skills in Demand (482) visa, the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) and the regional (494) visa. The 482 is temporary, the 186 is permanent, and the 494 is provisional with a route to permanent residence. This page shows how they fit together so you can see where you are likely to start.
Hiring or sponsoring? See how sponsorship and nomination work for businesses.Employer sponsorshipChoose your visa
- Skills in Demand Visa (482)Work in Australia for an employer who sponsors you, for up to 4 years.Learn more
- Employer Nomination Scheme (186)Permanent residence on the strength of your employer’s nomination.Learn more
- Regional Employer Sponsored (494)Live and work in regional Australia, with a route to permanent residence.Learn more
Compare the visas
| Visa | Type | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482) | Temporary | Workers sponsored by an approved employer to fill a skilled role |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) | Permanent | Workers nominated by an employer for permanent residence, often after a 482 |
| Regional Employer Sponsored (494) | Provisional | Skilled roles with employers outside the major capitals, with a route to permanent residence |
Skills in Demand visa (482)
- Temporary visa for a skilled worker sponsored by an approved employer
- The employer becomes an approved sponsor, nominates the position, then you lodge your visa application
- Often the first step before a permanent employer-sponsored visa
Employer Nomination Scheme (186)
- Permanent residence on the strength of an employer’s nomination
- The most common permanent destination for people who start on a 482
- We help you choose the right stream and prepare the supporting documents
Regional Employer Sponsored visa (494)
- Provisional visa for skilled roles with employers in regional Australia
- Gives the worker a route to permanent residence
- We check the location, the role and the candidate first
How employer sponsorship works
- 01Become an approved sponsor
- 02Nominate the position
- 03Worker lodges visa application
- 04Decision
- 05Meet sponsor obligations
- 06Pathway to permanent residence
How we help
- Check which pathway suits your role, employer and circumstances
- Work with your employer on sponsorship, nomination and the visa application together
- Plan the step from a temporary visa to permanent residence
- Advise on your rights and conditions while you hold the visa
Common pitfalls
- Starting a visa application before the employer’s sponsorship is in place
- Resigning before a new sponsor is lined up, without planning for the 180 days that condition 8607 allows
- Working outside the nominated occupation, or for someone other than the sponsor
- A CV, nomination and references that do not match
- Missing the 6-month window to lodge a 186 after the nomination is approved
- Assuming time on any visa counts towards the 186 Transition requirement
- Paying someone for a sponsorship or a job offer
- Leaving the permanent residence step until the last minute
Related articles
Employer Sponsored VisaMinisterial Directions 121 and 122: New Processing Priorities for 482 and 186 VisasFrom 19 September 2026, Directions 121 and 122 set new processing priorities for 482 and 186 visas. What changed, and what it means onshore and offshore.Read the article
Employer Sponsored Visa482 Visa: Core Skills or Specialist Skills Stream?The 482 Skills in Demand visa has two main streams. Which one applies depends on the occupation and the guaranteed salary. How to tell, with the 2026–27 thresholds.Read the article
Employer Sponsored VisaEmployer Sponsored Visa Program - Comprehensive FAQ (ENS 186, RSMS 187, SID 482, SESR 494)Australia’s Employer Sponsored Program remains one of the most important pathways for skilled workers seeking temporary or permanent migration. This FAQ brings…Read the article
Migration InsightsNew Core Skills Occupation List Released – new 482 Skills In Demand (SID) visa to commence 07 December 2024A new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has been announced by the Australian Government and fulfils the Government’s commitment to replace complex, out of date and…Read the article
Frequently asked questions
Which employer-sponsored visa is right for me?
It depends on the role, the employer’s location and your circumstances. We assess this at your first consultation and explain the realistic options.
Does my employer have to be involved?
Yes. These visas need an approved employer to sponsor or nominate you, so we work with you and your employer together.
Who lodges what?
Your employer lodges the sponsorship (if needed) and the nomination. You lodge the visa application, with your family if they are coming. We prepare all three together so the details stay consistent.
Can I move to a new employer?
Yes. The new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination. You keep your current visa and do not need a new one unless you are nominated in a different occupation or your visa is close to expiry. Plan the change before you resign, and we can advise on timing and what the new employer needs to lodge.
What is condition 8607 and what happens if I lose my job?
Condition 8607 means the primary holder can work only in the nominated occupation and only for the sponsor or an associated entity. If the job ends, you can be without a sponsor for up to 180 days at a time, and 365 days in total across the visa, to be nominated by a new approved sponsor, be granted another visa, or leave Australia. During that time you can work for other employers, as long as you hold any licence the work needs. We advise on timing before you resign.
Can my partner and children come with me?
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants. They do not carry condition 8607, and we confirm their work and study rights for your situation.
Can I get permanent residence from a 482?
Yes. If you meet the requirements, all three streams can lead to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). We recommend planning that pathway from the start rather than leaving it late.
How long must I work for my sponsor before the Temporary Residence Transition stream?
The requirement is about 2 years of qualifying sponsored work on an eligible temporary visa such as the 482. Not every period on every visa counts, so we confirm what is recognised in your case.
Is there a deadline between nomination and visa lodgement?
Yes. You must lodge the visa application within 6 months of the nomination being approved, and missing it is a common pitfall. We track the date for you.
How do I get permanent residence from a 494?
Permanent residence is available after 3 years, if you meet the regional work and income requirements. We help you plan and keep the evidence from the start, so it is ready when you are eligible to apply.