Securing employment sponsorship in Australia is a significant step for many skilled workers worldwide. This process, while challenging, opens doors to numerous opportunities in terms of career growth and lifestyle. This guide aims to provide a thorough understanding of the sponsorship process in Australia, covering everything from visa types to effective job search strategies.
I. Understanding Sponsorship Visas
Before embarking on your sponsorship journey, it's crucial to understand the various visa options available:
A. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)
This visa allows Australian employers to address labor shortages by sponsoring skilled overseas workers.
Our firm recently assisted a medical practitioner from Malaysia in obtaining their 482 visa. The client was sponsored by a hospital based in regional Victoria. The visa application process was completed efficiently, taking approximately two months from submission to approval. A key benefit for our client was the ability to include their partner in the visa application, which is a provision often valued by applicants in similar situations.
We go into further detail on this visa type and eligibility in this article.
B. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)
This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. While the 186 visa is an excellent option for long-term settlement, the criteria for 186 visa applicants (direct entry stream) are more stringent compared to that of the 482 visa. Applicants typically need at least three years of work experience and must be under 45 years old at the time of application, unless exemptions apply.
One of our clients, Rahul, an Indian chef, came to Australia on a 482 visa to work in Sydney. After two years, he qualified for the 186 visa (transition stream), which his employer supported. While the 186 visa has stricter criteria, including age limits and experience requirements, it offered Rahul a path to permanent residency. This transition has given him long-term stability in Australia, showcasing a typical progression from temporary to permanent visas for skilled migrants.
To learn more about the qualifications and details for this visa classification, check out our quick guide covering the subclass 186 visa.
C. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa (Subclass 494)
This visa is designed to attract skilled workers to regional areas of Australia.
We recently assisted Francisco, a flying instructor from Colombia, who moved to regional Queensland on a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) visa. This visa program has been vital in addressing skill shortages in regional areas, particularly in specialised fields like aviation.
Francisco found that relocating to regional Australia offered him unique career opportunities and a close-knit community. A key benefit of the 494 visa is the faster path to permanent residency it offers for skilled professionals settling in regional areas.
The impact of this visa extends beyond individual cases. The 494 visa has been crucial in attracting experienced instructors like Francisco to their regional aviation sector. This influx of skilled professionals has significantly enhanced their ability to train new pilots and support the local aviation industry. For more comprehensive information on this visa category and its eligibility requirements, please refer to our detailed article on this visa type.
D. Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
DAMAs are tailored agreements to address specific regional workforce shortages, including occupations that are not on the standard skilled occupation lists, such as the Regional Occupation List (ROL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Concessions to age and skill requirements may apply, depending on the state or territory's requirements. The DAMA program allows visa applicants who would otherwise not be able to access the other skilled visa programs. You may find it helpful to check out this page on the Department's website on the regional employers that already have a DAMA in place with the department, which shortens waiting time for your visa considerably.
The reason employers enter into a labour agreement with the government is that they really need employees and are struggling to find skilled labour. The process of entering into a labour agreement is time-consuming and paperwork intensive, and employers will not devote the resources, time and effort into doing so if they did not truly need workers.
II. Preparing Your Profile
To enhance your sponsorship prospects, focus on the following areas:
A. Enhancing your online presence
- Optimise your LinkedIn profile: Ensure the job descriptions comprehensive and positions are up-to-date, make sure your qualifications meet the minimum qualification requirements for an Australian worker in the role (for instance, if you're looking at being sponsored as an graphic designer, you must have a minimum of a bachelor's qualification or 5 years work experience in place of that qualification). You can investigate this further by matching your occupation to the requirements listed on the ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations website. If you're unsure, please contact us and we can help you.
B. Meeting English proficiency requirements
- Take an approved English language test such as IELTS or PTE academic.
C. Addressing registration and qualification requirements
- Verify if your occupation requires registration or licensing in Australia.
- Obtain assessment of your qualifications from the relevant Australian authority - get your non-Australian qualifications recognised and demonstrate that you have the skillset to do a good job in your occupation. To find the appropriate skills assessment body that corresponds to your occupation, go to this page on the department's website.
- Keep in mind that not all visa types require a skills assessment, and some visa types require different kinds of skills assessment to others, even when the skills assessment is undertaken by the same authoritative body. For instance, qualified carpenters with a passport from the United Kingdom do not need a skills assessment when applying for a subclass 482 visa which is a temporary visa, but those with a passport from Papua New Guinea will require a TSS skills assessment from TRA. The same qualified carpenter will need a different type of skills assessment from TRA if they are looking to apply for a subclass 186 visa (direct entry stream) which is a permanent visa, but would not need any skills assessment if they were transitioning into a subclass 186 visa (temporary residence transition stream) after having worked in Australia for their sponsor for 2 years. When in doubt, please seek professional advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer.
III. Finding Potential Sponsors
Implement these strategies to identify potential sponsoring employers:
A. Utilising job boards effectively
- Use specific search terms like "482 sponsorship" or "visa sponsorship" on platforms such as Seek, Indeed, Linkedin, Jora, Glassdoor, WorkinAus, Workforce Australia.
- Set up job alerts to stay informed about new opportunities.
- Look for indirect indications of sponsorship availability in job descriptions.
B. Targeting accredited sponsors
- Consult the Department of Home Affairs' list of accredited sponsors.
- Research these companies to identify potential matches for your skills.
- Consider direct outreach even if no current vacancies are advertised.
C. Exploring regional opportunities
- Research industries and skills in demand in various regional areas.
- Utilise resources like the Regional Australia Institute's job board.
- Connect with regional chambers of commerce for local insights.
IV. Approaching Potential Sponsors
When contacting potential sponsors, consider the following approaches:
A. Customising your application
Tailor your application to each employer's specific needs and recent developments. Spend some extra time on your cover letter and do research on your hiring manager, to ensure that your skillset is displayed in the most relevant light.
One of our clients, a multimedia specialist from India, successfully secured sponsorship by strategically highlighting her expertise in interactive media and digital storytelling. She applied to a company that was expanding its digital marketing division, effectively aligning her skills with their specific needs.
Candidates who show a clear understanding of a company's current projects and demonstrate how their skills directly contribute to these initiatives tend to stand out significantly in the application process.
This client's case exemplifies how tailoring one's application to a potential employer's specific needs can greatly enhance the chances of securing sponsorship, even in a competitive job market. In her case, she showcased her proficiency in creating engaging multimedia content and her experience with cutting-edge visual effects software, which perfectly matched the company's goal of enhancing their digital presence.
B. Communicating sponsorship requirements clearly
Be upfront about your need for sponsorship in your initial communication. As a chef from the UK, one could clearly stated one's need for TSS visa (subclass 482) sponsorship in his cover letter, along with how one's expertise in preparing certain technically-demanding cuisines would benefit the employer.
C. Demonstrating your value proposition
Clearly articulate how your skills and experience can address the employer's needs.
For instance, as a registered nurse from the Philippines, it is helpful for one to emphasise on how one's emergency care experience and multilingual skills could enhance the hospital's service delivery.
D. Following up professionally
Maintain communication with potential employers through courteous and timely follow-ups.
V. Legal Considerations
- Familiarise yourself with sponsor obligations and employee rights under Australian law.
- Be aware that it's illegal for employers to request payment in exchange for sponsorship.
- Consult with a registered migration agent for professional advice on your specific situation.
By following these guidelines and remaining persistent, you can significantly enhance your chances of finding sponsorship and establishing a rewarding career in Australia.
The content on this page does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Australian immigration doesn't have to be complex and we can help with your unique circumstances. To seek legal advice for information that is specific to your situation, please book a consultation.
