Employer Sponsored Visas (482, 494, 186)
Work visas sponsored by an Australian employer. The most direct pathway to Australia when you have, or can secure, a job offer — no points test required.
Quick Answer:
- 482 visa: Temporary skilled work for up to 4 years. From $3,210. PR pathway via 186.
- 494 visa: Regional provisional visa. 5 years. PR via 191 after 3 years.
- 186 visa: Permanent residency from grant. Needs 3 years' experience (Direct Entry).
- All visas: Require an approved employer nomination. No points test.
3
Visa Subclasses
1-4mo
482 Processing
4 yrs
Max 482 Stay
None
Points Test
We are not registered migration agents. This information is for general guidance only. For personalized immigration advice, consult a MARA-registered migration agent.
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Each subclass suits different circumstances. Compare requirements, costs and outcomes below.
Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (TSS)
A temporary visa that lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled worker to fill a position they cannot source locally. Formerly the Temporary Skill Shortage visa.
Quick Answer for Subclass 482:
Temporary visa of up to 4 years. Requires a sponsoring employer, an occupation on the relevant list, and at least 1 year of relevant work experience. From $3,210 base fee. Can lead to PR via subclass 186.
Key Benefits
- Work in Australia for an approved sponsor for up to 4 years
- Bring eligible family members who can work and study
- Pathway to permanent residency through the 186 visa
- No points test required
- Multiple streams covering short, medium and long-term occupations
Requirements
- A nomination from an approved Australian sponsor
- Occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- At least 1 year of full-time relevant work experience
- Meet the skill and English language requirements for the stream
- Meet health and character requirements
- Skilled workers with a confirmed job offer
- Professionals in shortage occupations
- Those without enough points for skilled migration
- Applicants without an employer sponsor
- Those wanting immediate permanent residency
- Occupations not on the eligible lists
Residency
Temporary (PR pathway via 186)
Processing Time
1-4 months
Base Application Fee
$3,210+
How Employer Sponsorship Works in Australia
Employer sponsored visas are designed for skilled workers who already have, or can secure, a job offer from an Australian business. Unlike the points-tested skilled migration program, these visas do not require you to compete in SkillSelect invitation rounds. Instead, an approved employer nominates you for a specific role they have been unable to fill from the local labour market.
The process has three moving parts: the employer must become an approved sponsor, they must lodge a nomination for the position, and you must lodge the visa application itself. In many cases the nomination and visa application can be lodged together, which speeds up processing considerably.
For most applicants the journey begins with the temporary 482 visa and progresses to permanent residency through the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme once they have worked for their sponsor for the required period. Workers in regional areas follow a similar path via the 494 and 191 visas.
Which Employer Sponsored Visa Is Right for You?
If you have a job offer in a major city and your occupation is on a medium or long-term list, the 482 visa is usually the starting point, with the 186 visa as your route to permanent residency. If your employer is in a designated regional area, the 494 provisional visa offers a clear three-year pathway to the permanent 191 visa.
Experienced professionals whose employers are willing to nominate them directly for permanent residency may be able to skip the temporary stage entirely by applying for the 186 visa through its Direct Entry stream, provided they have at least three years of relevant work experience and meet the English and age requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer before applying for an employer sponsored visa?
Yes. Every employer sponsored visa requires an Australian business to nominate you for a specific role. You cannot lodge these visas independently — the employer must first be an approved sponsor and lodge a nomination for the position you will fill.
Can an employer sponsored visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. The 186 (ENS) visa grants permanent residency directly. The temporary 482 visa can lead to PR through the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186, and the provisional 494 visa leads to the permanent 191 visa after three years of regional living and working.
How long does an employer sponsored visa take to process?
The temporary 482 visa is often processed within one to four months, while permanent visas like the 186 typically take five to twelve months. Processing times depend on the stream, the completeness of the application, and current Department of Home Affairs workloads.
Is there a points test for employer sponsored visas?
No. Unlike skilled independent and state-nominated visas, employer sponsored visas are not points-tested. Eligibility is based on the employer's nomination, your occupation, your work experience, and meeting the English, health and character requirements.
Can my family come with me on an employer sponsored visa?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in your application. Family members generally receive the same visa duration as you, with rights to work and study in Australia.
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