Employer-Sponsored Visas in Australia: What Are Your Options?

An employer-sponsored visa is a visa pathway where an Australian employer supports your visa application because they need your skills for a particular role. Some employer-sponsored visas are temporary, some can lead to permanent residency, and some are designed for regional Australia.

The right visa option depends on your occupation, experience, employer, salary, location, skills, English level and long-term plans.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the main employer-sponsored visas in Australia:

• Subclass 407 Training visa
• Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa

This guide is written in simple language, so you can understand the key differences before deciding what pathway may suit your situation.

For personalised advice, you can also speak with the team at AIVS Australian Immigration and Visa Services.

The Subclass 407 Training visa is a temporary visa for people who need structured workplace-based training in Australia.

This visa is not designed as a standard work visa. It is for training that helps you improve your skills in your occupation, field of study or area of expertise.

The Department outlines different types of occupational training for the 407 visa, including training required for registration, training to improve skills in an eligible occupation, and professional development training.

Who is the 407 Training visa suitable for?

The 407 visa may be suitable if:

• You need workplace training to improve your skills
• You are early in your career and need structured training
• You need training connected to your occupation or study
• You have a sponsor who can provide an approved training program
• Your main purpose is training, not simply working full-time

For many applicants, the 407 visa is used as a stepping stone to gain experience and improve their skills before considering other skilled or employer-sponsored visas in Australia.

Key 407 visa requirements

To apply for a 407 Training visa, you generally need:

• An approved temporary activities sponsor
• A nomination connected to the training activity
• A structured training plan
• Training that matches one of the permitted occupational training types
• Skills, experience or background relevant to the training
• Health and character clearance
• Adequate health insurance

For occupational training to improve skills in an eligible occupation, the applicant must usually have recent and suitable prior experience. The Department refers to experience equivalent to at least 12 months full-time experience in the occupation, completed in the 24 months before the nomination is lodged.

Does the 407 visa lead to permanent residency?

The 407 visa does not directly lead to permanent residency.

However, depending on your occupation, skills, work experience and employer, you may later be able to consider another visa pathway, such as:

• Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa
• Skilled migration visas such as subclass 189, 190 or 491

You can explore skilled visa options through the AIVS Skilled Visa page.

Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa

The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa allows an approved Australian employer to sponsor a skilled worker when they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian worker for the role.

This is one of the most commonly used employer-sponsored visas in Australia.

The 482 visa replaced the previous Temporary Skill Shortage visa framework and is now known as the Skills in Demand visa.

This visa allows you to work in Australia for your sponsor in your nominated occupation.

Who is the 482 Skills in Demand visa suitable for?

The 482 visa may be suitable if you have a skilled job offer from an Australian employer and your occupation, experience, salary and visa circumstances meet the relevant requirements.

Main 482 visa streams

There are three main streams under the 482 Skills in Demand visa.

1. Core Skills stream

The Core Skills stream is for many skilled occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List.

This is likely to be the stream most applicants look at when considering employer sponsorship in Australia.

You generally need:

• An approved employer sponsor
• An eligible nominated occupation
• At least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• Skills and qualifications suitable for the role
• English language ability
• A salary that meets the Core Skills Income Threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever applies
• Health and character clearance

The Department’s skilled occupation list is an important place to check whether an occupation may be eligible.

2. Specialist Skills stream

The Specialist Skills stream is for highly skilled roles that meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.

This stream is aimed at higher-income, specialist roles, and not every occupation will qualify. Some occupations are excluded, and the salary must meet the relevant threshold.

This stream may be suitable for applicants in highly specialised roles where the employer needs advanced skills that are difficult to source locally.

3. Labour Agreement stream

The Labour Agreement stream applies where an employer has a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government.

Labour agreements are used where standard employer-sponsored visa settings may not meet the employer’s workforce needs.

Under this stream, requirements can depend on the terms of the labour agreement. Unless the labour agreement states otherwise, applicants generally need at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience or equivalent.

Does the 482 visa lead to permanent residency?

A 482 visa can provide a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, usually through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

This is not automatic. You must meet the visa criteria, and your employer must be willing and eligible to nominate you for permanent residency.

If you are planning your long-term pathway, it is important to get advice early so you understand whether your occupation, employer, salary and work history may support a future PR pathway.

You can learn more about employer visa options through the AIVS Employer Visa page.

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa is a permanent employer-sponsored visa.

This means that once granted, the visa holder becomes a permanent resident of Australia.

The 186 visa is designed for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer for a skilled role.

Who is the 186 visa suitable for?

The 186 visa may be suitable if:

• You have an Australian employer willing to nominate you
• The position is genuine and ongoing
• You have the skills, qualifications and experience required
• You meet English requirements
• You meet health and character requirements
• You meet the requirements of the stream you are applying under

AIVS also has a dedicated page for the Employer Sponsored Visa Subclass 186.

Main 186 visa streams

There are three main streams under the 186 visa.

1. Temporary Residence Transition stream

The Temporary Residence Transition stream is commonly used by people who have worked in Australia on a temporary skilled sponsored visa and are now being nominated for permanent residency.

Applicants generally need to have completed the required period of eligible sponsored employment before applying.

This stream is often discussed as the PR pathway after a 482 visa.

2. Direct Entry stream

The Direct Entry stream may be suitable for applicants who have not worked for their employer on a 482 visa for the required period but still meet the skills, experience and nomination requirements.

Direct Entry applicants generally need:

• An eligible occupation
• A positive skills assessment, unless exempt
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience
• Competent English, unless exempt
• Health and character clearance

This can be an option for applicants applying from overseas or applicants in Australia who meet the requirements without needing to complete the 482 pathway first.

3. Labour Agreement stream

The Labour Agreement stream applies when the employer has a labour agreement with the Australian Government that allows permanent employer sponsorship under agreed terms.

This stream is more specific and depends heavily on the labour agreement in place.

What does the 186 visa let you do?

If granted, the 186 visa lets you:

• Live in Australia permanently
• Work and study in Australia
• Enrol in Medicare
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date of grant
• Sponsor eligible family members
• Apply for Australian citizenship later, if eligible

You can also read more about permanent residency options through the AIVS Permanent Residency Visa page.

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa is an employer-sponsored visa for regional Australia.

It allows regional employers to sponsor skilled workers where they cannot find suitably skilled Australian workers.

This visa is designed to support regional workforce needs and encourage skilled workers to live and work outside Australia’s major metropolitan areas.

Who is the 494 visa suitable for?

The 494 visa may be suitable if:

• You have a job offer from an eligible regional employer
• The job is located in a designated regional area
• Your occupation is eligible
• You have the required skills and experience
• You meet English requirements
• You meet health and character requirements
• You are willing to live and work in regional Australia

Most areas outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes. You should always check the Department’s designated regional areas guidance before relying on a location.

Main 494 visa streams

There are two main employer-related streams under the 494 visa.

1. Employer Sponsored stream

The Employer Sponsored stream is for skilled workers nominated by an eligible employer in regional Australia.

This stream generally requires:

• An approved work sponsor
• A nominated role in a designated regional area
• An eligible occupation
• A suitable skills assessment, unless exempt
• Relevant work experience
• English language ability
• Health and character clearance

This visa can allow you to live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years.

2. Labour Agreement stream

The Labour Agreement stream applies where a regional employer has a labour agreement with the Australian Government.

This stream is used where the employer has approval to sponsor workers under terms set out in the labour agreement.

Does the 494 visa lead to permanent residency?

The 494 visa may provide a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence Skilled Regional visa.

To move from a 494 visa to a 191 visa, you must meet the requirements that apply at the time, including regional residence and work requirements, compliance with visa conditions, and relevant income or tax evidence requirements.

This pathway can be a strong option for applicants who have a regional employer and are open to building their life outside a major city.

The best employer-sponsored visa in Australia depends on where you are in your career and what your employer can offer.

Here is a simple way to think about it:

• If you need workplace training, the 407 Training visa may be relevant.
• If you have a skilled job offer and want to work temporarily in Australia, the 482 Skills in Demand visa may be relevant.
• If your employer is ready to nominate you for permanent residency, the 186 visa may be relevant.
• If your job is in regional Australia, the 494 visa may be relevant.

However, the right pathway is not always obvious. Two people in the same occupation can have very different options depending on their visa history, work experience, qualifications, salary, employer, location and timing.

Employer-sponsored visas in Australia can be a great pathway, but every case is different.

Your occupation, employer, salary, work experience, qualifications and long-term goals all matter. Getting the right advice early can help you avoid mistakes and understand what pathway may suit you best.

At AIVS Australian Immigration and Visa Services, Nicolette and the team provide clear, personalised guidance to help you understand your visa options and plan your next step with confidence.

If your employer has mentioned sponsorship or you are unsure which employer-sponsored visa applies to you, book a free 15-minute consultation with AIVS.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information only and should not be taken as migration advice. Visa requirements can change, and your eligibility depends on your personal circumstances. Always seek advice from a registered migration agent before applying.