Employer Sponsored Visa (482) Guide: How to Get Sponsored in Australia

The process has three stages:

1. Sponsorship application — Your employer applies to become an approved sponsor
2. Nomination — Your employer nominates the specific position for you
3. Visa application — You apply for the visa

Your employer pays for stages 1 and 2. You pay for stage 3 (the visa application itself). Many employers also contribute to visa costs as part of the employment package.

Important: you can only work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation. If you want to change employers, the new employer must lodge a new nomination.

• - Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
• - You need at least 2 years of relevant work experience
• - English: IELTS 5.0 overall (with no band below 4.5) for Short-term stream, IELTS 5.0 for Medium-term
• - Your employer must pay market salary rate (no undercutting Australians)
• - You must meet health and character requirements
• - Skills assessment may be required for some occupations

The Medium-term stream of the 482 visa leads to the subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa after 2-3 years. This is a permanent visa.

The pathway: 1. Work on 482 visa for 2-3 years 2. Employer nominates you for 186 (Transition stream) 3. Apply for 186 — this gives permanent residency

Not all 482 visas lead to PR. The Short-term stream has limited PR pathways. Always check which stream your occupation falls under before accepting a sponsorship offer.