Want to work in Australia

To work in Australia, you can either be sponsored or apply on your own merits. There are several types of visas that would allow you to work. Holders of temporary visas and bridging visas generally contain work limitations.

Sponsored Visas in Australia

If you are looking to sponsor an overseas worker on either a short or long-term basis to fill a position in your business, our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents can assist you. We will be able to assess the eligibility of your business, provide strategic advice to obtain a successful outcome and facilitate the application process for you.

There are several factors to consider when deciding the most suitable visa category to sponsor an overseas worker, including:

• the size, structure, and nature of your business or company

• the urgency in filling the position in your business

• the nature of the position to be filled by the overseas worker

• the qualifications and experience of the overseas worker

• the region where the overseas worker will be employed.

The main requirements for sponsoring an overseas worker include:

• Occupation – each visa subclass has availability for certain occupations. To see which visa subclasses your occupation is eligible for, you can view our occupation list here.

• English language requirement

• Have relevant qualifications and/or work experience for the particular occupation

• Age requirement

• Be of good health and character

Several visa options are available to employers wanting to obtain a visa for a prospective employee:

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)

• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Permanent Visa

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) Permanent Visa

• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)

• Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) visas (subclass 408)

• Training visa (subclass 407)

To learn about the specific requirements for each visa, and to find out which one is most suitable for you, contact us or fill out our form here.

Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)

This is a temporary visa allowing the worker to come to Australia to work for up to 2 years or 4 years (depending on the occupation).

You can apply inside or outside Australia.

Training visa (subclass 407)

This visa is for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis for up to 2 years to:

• Participate in workplace-based training to improve your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study or field of expertise, OR

• Participate in a professional development training programme in Australia

Although this is a training visa, not a working visa, your sponsoring employer is still able to pay you for training.

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visas (subclass 400)

This visa is a temporary visa that lets you enter Australia to:

• Do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work

• In limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests

This visa is generally available for up to three (3) months (or 6 months in limited circumstances).

Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

This visa allows people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis under one of the 10 streams:

• Special Programmes – participate in activities at the invitation of an Australian Organisation

• Exchange stream – work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement

• Research Activities- participate in an Australian Research project

• Sport stream – participate in high-level sports competitions

• Religious Worker stream – do full-time religious work

• Entertainment Activities – work in entertainment industry

• Social / Cultural Activity – programmes approved programmes that provides youth, cultural or community benefits

• Australian Government Endorsed Events – participate in Government endorsed events

• Superyacht Crew – employed as a crew member

• Domestic Worker (Executive) stream – do full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives

This visa will generally allow the holder to be in Australia for 2 years. If it is participating in Australian government activities then the visa can last for up to 4 years. If it is to participate in a specific event held by an organisation then it will only be available for 3 months.

General Skilled Migration Program

The GSM Program has several specific features including:

• It is a points-based system; and

• You have to be invited to apply for a visa.

Find out more about the general skilled migration program.