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Employer-Sponsored & Working Visas

Work in Australia with Sponsorship or Holiday Rights

Australia offers multiple visa pathways for skilled workers, ranging from temporary employer-sponsored positions to permanent residency through sponsorship, plus working holiday options for young travelers. 

Visa Types Covered: 

  • Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482) – Temporary 
  • Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) – Permanent 
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) – Provisional 
  • Working Holiday visas (417/462) – Temporary holiday work 

Employer-Sponsored Visas

These visas require sponsorship from an approved Australian employer. 

A. Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) 

Temporary visa for skilled workers sponsored by Australian employers 

Duration: 

  • Short-Term stream: Up to 2 years (can extend to 4 years) 
  • Medium-Term stream: Up to 4 years 
  • Labour Agreement stream: Up to 4 years 

Three Streams: 

  1. Short-Term Stream
  • Occupation on Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) 
  • 2 years work experience in occupation 
  • English: IELTS 5.0 overall, minimum 4.5 each (or equivalent) 
  • Cannot directly lead to permanent residency 
  • Can be renewed once onshore 
  1. Medium-Term Stream
  • Occupation on Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) 
  • 2 years work experience in occupation 
  • English: IELTS 5.0 overall, minimum 5.0 each (or equivalent) 
  • Pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 186) after 3 years 
  • Can be renewed 
  1. Labour Agreement Stream 
  • Employer has negotiated labour agreement with government 
  • Terms vary based on specific agreement 
  • Usually for industries with ongoing shortages 
  • May have pathway to permanent residency 

Basic Requirements: 

  • Job offer from approved Australian sponsor 
  • Nominated occupation on relevant skilled list 
  • Meet skills and experience requirements 
  • Adequate English language ability 
  • Health and character requirements 
  • Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement 

Ideal For: 

  • Skilled workers with job offers from Australian employers 
  • Professionals wanting temporary work experience 
  • Those planning eventual transition to permanent residency 
  • Workers in occupations with ongoing demand 

B. Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) 

Permanent visa through employer sponsorship 

Duration: 

  • Permanent residency from grant date 

Three Streams: 

  1. Direct Entry Stream
  • For applicants applying directly for permanent residency 
  • At least 3 years work experience in nominated occupation 
  • Skills assessment usually required 
  • English: IELTS 6.0 each band (or equivalent) 
  • Under 45 years of age 
  1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
  • For current 482 visa holders 
  • Worked for sponsoring employer for at least 3 years 
  • Same occupation as 482 nomination 
  • English: IELTS 5.0 overall, minimum 5.0 each (or equivalent) 
  • Under 45 years at time of 482 application 
  1. Labour Agreement Stream 
  • For workers under approved labour agreement 
  • Requirements vary based on agreement terms 
  • Usually includes age and English concessions 

Basic Requirements: 

  • Nomination by approved Australian employer 
  • Meet occupation and experience requirements 
  • Adequate English language ability 
  • Health and character requirements 
  • Age under 45 (some exceptions in TRT and Labour Agreement streams) 

Ideal For: 

  • Workers seeking permanent residency through employer 
  • Current 482 visa holders transitioning to PR 
  • Experienced professionals with Australian employer support 
  • Those committed to specific employer and role 

C. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) 

5-year provisional visa for regional areas 

Duration: 

  • 5 years (provisional) 
  • Pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191) 

Two Streams: 

  1. Employer Sponsored Stream
  • Employer in designated regional area sponsors you 
  • Occupation on regional occupation list 
  • At least 3 years work experience 
  • English: IELTS 6.0 each band (or equivalent) 
  • Under 45 years of age 
  1. Labour Agreement Stream 
  • Employer has approved labour agreement 
  • Requirements based on agreement terms 
  • Usually for regional employers with specific needs 

Key Features: 

  • Must live and work in designated regional area 
  • Can work for any employer in regional area 
  • After 3 years, eligible for Subclass 191 (permanent) 
  • Includes most of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane 

Pathway to PR: 

  • Work in regional area for 3 years 
  • Meet minimum income threshold 
  • Apply for Subclass 191 permanent visa 

Ideal For: 

  • Workers open to regional living 
  • Those wanting eventual permanent residency 
  • Professionals whose occupations suit regional areas 
  • Families seeking lifestyle in regional Australia 

Working Holiday Visas

For young travelers wanting to work and explore Australia 

1. Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) 

Duration: 

  • 12 months initial 
  • Can extend up to 3 years with specified work 

Eligibility: 

  • Age 18-30 (or 18-35 for some countries) 
  • Passport from eligible country (UK, Canada, Ireland, etc.) 
  • Meet health and character requirements 
  • Sufficient funds and return ticket 

Work Rights: 

  • Work up to 6 months with any one employer 
  • Study up to 4 months 
  • Enter/exit Australia multiple times 

2. Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) 

Similar to 417 with different eligible countries 

Duration: 

  • 12 months initial 
  • Can extend with specified work 

Eligibility: 

  • Age 18-30 (18-35 for some countries) 
  • Passport from eligible country (USA, Singapore, etc.) 
  • Educational qualifications required 
  • Functional English 
  • Meet health and character requirements 

Work Rights: 

  • Work up to 6 months with any employer 
  • Study up to 4 months 

Ideal For: 

  • Young travelers wanting Australian experience 
  • Gap year students 
  • Those exploring before committing to longer visas 
  • Building international work experience 

Employer Sponsorship Process

For 482, 186, and 494 visas: 

Step 1: Employer Sponsorship Approval 

  • Employer must be approved as standard business sponsor 
  • Or already hold approved sponsorship 

Step 2: Nomination 

  • Employer nominates position and applicant 
  • Provides evidence of genuine position 
  • Meets market salary requirements 
  • Demonstrates labour market testing (where required) 

Step 3: Visa Application 

  • Applicant lodges visa application 
  • Provides skills and experience evidence 
  • Completes health and character checks 
  • Meets English requirements 

Step 4: Visa Decision 

  • Department assesses application 
  • May request additional information 
  • Grants visa or provides refusal 

Processing Times: 

  • Vary by visa type and stream 
  • 482: 3-6 months typically 
  • 186: 6-12 months 
  • 494: 6-9 months 

Study to Work Visa Pathway

From Australian study to employer sponsorship: 

1. Pathway Timeline:

a. Student Visa – Study in Australia

b. Graduate Visa (485) – Work for 2-4 years

c. Build employer relationships during graduate visa

d. Secure employer sponsorship (482 or 186)

e. Transition to permanent residency (186 or 191) 

2. Why Australian Study Helps: 

  • Employers prefer candidates with Australian experience 
  • Graduate visa provides time to find sponsorship 
  • Local qualifications understood by employers 
  • Network building opportunities 
  • Meet skills assessment requirements 

3. We Help Connect: 

  • Course selection that leads to employer-sponsored roles 
  • Industries with high sponsorship demand 
  • Strategic planning from study to sponsored work 
  • Employer connections where possible

How SettleU Can Help

For Employers

  • Standard business sponsorship applications 
  • Nomination preparation and lodgement 
  • Labour market testing guidance 
  • Compliance and monitoring support 
  • Multiple employee sponsorship management 

For Workers

  • Eligibility assessment for appropriate visa 
  • Skills assessment guidance and support 
  • Complete visa application preparation 
  • Strategic pathway planning (temporary to permanent) 
  • Transition support (482 to 186) 

For Both

  • Nomination strategy and documentation 
  • Salary and position benchmarking 
  • Compliance guidance throughout visa period 
  • Permanent residency transition planning 
  • Complex case handling and appeals 

Our Expertise

  • 20+ years employer sponsorship experience 
  • Understanding of industry-specific requirements 
  • Strategic planning for permanent residency pathways 
  • Legal support for refusals and complex situations 
  • Connect study pathways to sponsored employment 

Common Working Visa Questions

482 is temporary (2-4 years), 186 is permanent residency. 482 can lead to 186 after 3 years.

Yes, but new employer must sponsor you with new nomination and visa application.

Not usually required, but occupation must be on relevant skilled list.

From 482 grant, minimum 3 years with same employer, then apply for 186.

Yes, partner and dependent children can be included on 482, 186, and 494 visas.

Employer must demonstrate they tried to recruit Australian workers before sponsoring overseas worker (exemptions apply).

Not directly, but you can transition to skilled migration or employer sponsorship if you meet requirements.

You have 60 days to find new sponsor or make other visa arrangements.

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