Employer Sponsor (Work) Visas

The Short Stay Specialist Visa is a temporary work visa for highly skilled specialists entering Australia for short-term projects that cannot be done by local workers. This visa typically allows stays of up to 6 months and is specifically designed for individuals who possess specialized skills, knowledge, or experience that will benefit Australian businesses. You can’t apply for this visa in Australia or stay longer by extending this visa.

Eligibility requirements:

• Have highly specialized skills, knowledge or experience that cannot reasonably be found in Australia

• Be invited or have a genuine need to perform the specialized work in Australia

• Meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, meaning you genuinely intend to stay temporarily

• Have relevant qualifications and/or experience

• Have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay

• Meet health and character requirements 

• Have a detailed letter of invitation or contract from the Australian organization requiring your services

The Training Visa allows overseas professionals and trainees to come to Australia to participate in workplace-based training programs or professional development that enhances their skills in their nominated occupation. This visa is typically aimed at individuals who are not yet qualified to work independently in their profession and need additional training or skills development in an Australian workplace. It is usually granted for a duration of up to two years, depending on the training requirements.

Eligibility requirements:

• Have an approved sponsor
• Be nominated
• Be over 18 years old
• Have either visa: temporary work in the domestic worker stream (Subclass 403), transit (Subclass 771) or special purpose visa.
• Meet the health and character requirement
• Have adequate health insurance
• Be a genuine temporary entrant
• Have a functional level of English
• Sign the Australian values statement
• Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
• Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
• Best interests of the child

The Skills in Demand Visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill temporary positions in their business where they cannot find suitable Australian workers. The visa has three streams:

1. Core Skills Stream (Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List)

2. Specialist Skills Stream (Must be an ANZSCO listed occupation (excluding Major Groups 3, 7 or 8))

3. Labour Agreement Stream (Requires a formal agreement between the employer and Australian Government)

The length of stay is typically up to four years, depending on the stream and the occupation.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor
• Work for your nominating employer
• Have the right skills and qualifications to do the job
• Have worked in your nominated occupation or a related field for at least 1 year
• Have a positive skills assessment
• Meet the relevant English language requirements
• Have relevant health insurance
• Meet the health & character requirements
• Be a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a short term visa holder
• Sign the Australian values statement
• Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
• Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused

The Employer Nomination Scheme allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas for permanent residency. This visa has three streams:

1.       the Direct Entry (DE) stream for skilled workers who may not be on a temporary visa,
2.     The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream for individuals who have been on a Subclass 482 visa for a minimum of two years out of three years and are transitioning to permanent residency, and
3. The Labour Agreement stream for those working under specific labour agreements.

The Subclass 186 provides a pathway for skilled workers to settle in Australia permanently.

Eligibility requirements:

• Must have the necessary skills and experience for the job
• Must be nominated by an Australian employer
• Have an eligible occupation
• Must be licensed, registered or a member of a professional body if it is mandatory in the state or territory you intend to work in
• Have a positive skills assessment
• Be under 45 when you apply
• Be at least competent in English
• Meet the health and character requirements
• Sign the Australian values statement
• Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
• Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa allows employers in regional Australia to sponsor skilled overseas workers for a temporary visa. This visa is targeted at filling skilled positions in regional areas and requires the sponsored worker to work in a specified regional occupation for their employer. After three years of employment in the nominated position and meeting additional criteria, visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa. This fosters growth and development in regional Australia by addressing local labour shortages.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be nominated by an approved work sponsor
• Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• Have relevant skills, qualifications and work experience
• Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• Be under 45 years of age
• Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency
• Meet the health and character requirements
• Sign the Australian values statement
• Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
• Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused