Employer migration
Sponsor with confidence. Keep your business moving.
Practical migration support for employers sponsoring, nominating and retaining skilled talent.
Start hereBring the employee, role and timing into the first conversation.
A clear route to the right conversation
- 01Understand your need
Employee, role, business and timing.
- 02Select the pathway
Sponsorship, nomination or regional options.
- 03Prepare for consultation
Bring the right context to the discussion.
Employer resources
Employer pathways
Everything employers need to know
Sponsoring a worker has three stages: sponsorship, nomination and the visa. Start with the stage you are at.
Nomination
Visas
View all Google reviews (opens in a new tab)“Their deep understanding of the employer-sponsored visa process and their professional approach truly stood out. Everything was handled with care and precision.”
How sponsorship works
Hiring skilled overseas workers can fill critical gaps in your business, but sponsorship comes with legal obligations. We manage the process from start to finish and help you stay compliant afterwards.
Download PDF
Employer sponsorship checklist
Free PDF checklist for your business, role and worker documents.
Download PDFGovernment fees
What Home Affairs charges, current as at 1 July 2026. These are not our professional fees.
Employer sponsorship, nomination and levy
| Fee | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship application Approval usually lasts 5 years. | $420 |
| Skills in Demand (482) nomination For each nomination. | $330 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) nomination Nil for Temporary Residence Transition or labour agreement positions in regional Australia. | $540 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) nomination | Nil |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 482, turnover under $10 million For each year of the visa period nominated. | $1,200 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 482, turnover $10 million or more For each year of the visa period nominated. | $1,800 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 186 or 494, turnover under $10 million Paid once, with the nomination. | $3,000 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, 186 or 494, turnover $10 million or more Paid once, with the nomination. | $5,000 |
Need to fill a role from overseas?
Talk to us before you make an offer.
Frequently asked questions
How does an Australian business sponsor an overseas worker?
There are three steps: the business applies to become an approved sponsor, then nominates the position, then the worker applies for the visa. In most cases the role must first be advertised in Australia (labour market testing). We manage all three steps.
How long does a standard business sponsorship last?
Standard business sponsorship approval generally lasts 5 years. During that time you can nominate workers for approved positions without applying to be a sponsor again. You must keep meeting your sponsor obligations for the whole period.
What does it cost an employer to sponsor a worker?
Employers pay the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which depends on business turnover and the length of the visa. The SAF levy cannot be passed on to the worker. We give you a full cost estimate at the start.
What are my obligations as a sponsor?
You must pay the worker at least the market salary rate, keep records, tell Home Affairs about certain changes within the required time, and pay reasonable return travel costs if asked. Breaches can lead to fines or a sponsorship bar.
General information only, not migration advice. Visa rules change often. We'll confirm what applies to you in a consultation. Last reviewed October 2026 by SavieMEC's registered migration agents.