482 Skills In Demand
The primary temporary pathway, valid for up to four years, for businesses to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers.
Corporate Solutions
Employer Sponsored Visas.
Scale your Australian workforce with technical sponsorship expertise. Our MARA-registered agents specialise in the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme and Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional pathways, providing businesses and employees with a streamlined roadmap to permanent residency.
482 / 186 / 494 all pathways
Pathway to permanent residency
MARA Agent #1688088
Why apply through employer sponsorship
Three pathways built around a genuine job offer.
Employer sponsorship removes the points test from the equation entirely. Whether you need a temporary pathway, a permanent grant, or a regional route, the right visa depends on the employer's location and the role on offer.
186 Employer Nomination
Direct permanent residency for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer, with no location restriction.
494 Regional Sponsorship
A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia, with a clear pathway to the permanent 191.
Family Inclusion
Spouses, de facto partners and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants, generally with the same work and study rights.
Faster Than Points-Tested Routes
With a genuine employer and nomination in place, sponsorship can offer a more direct route than waiting in a points-tested invitation pool.
482 To 186 Pathway
Core Skills and Specialist Skills stream holders who meet relevant criteria may transition to the permanent 186 via the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Corporate sponsorship, technically managed
Built for businesses and the skilled workers they need.
Australian sponsorship law requires technical compliance with the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy and nomination benchmarks. We help employers document genuine need clearly, and help nominated workers present their skills to match.
Sponsorship standards
Six benchmarks every sponsorship application must clear.
Corporate sponsorship involves complex technical benchmarks for both the employer and applicant. We review the employer's standing and the worker's profile together so the whole chain holds up.
Job Offer
A formal offer of employment from an approved Australian Standard Business Sponsor, meeting the TSMIT salary threshold and genuineness test.
Skilled Occupation
The nominated role must align with an occupation on the relevant skilled list, with the correct ANZSCO code determining the stream and PR pathway.
Skills Assessment
A positive skills assessment, where required, verifying academic qualifications and minimum years of experience for the role.
English Skills
Demonstrating at least Competent English, such as IELTS 6.0 equivalent, with exemptions for certain passport holders or high-salary earners.
Labour Market Testing
Proof the employer attempted to recruit an Australian citizen prior to nomination, with specific advertising duration and platform compliance.
Integrity Checks
Evidence of health examinations and police clearances for all applicants, meeting public interest criteria for safety and health standards.
Corporate roadmap
The sponsorship journey, step by step.
A technically rigorous framework designed to manage corporate sponsorship compliance and individual visa success with precision.
Employer Sponsorship
The business applies for Standard Business Sponsorship, demonstrating genuine need for global talent.
Occupation & Stream Check
We confirm the correct visa - 482, 186 or 494 - and the right stream for the role and employer location.
Labour Market Testing
Mandatory advertising to demonstrate no suitable Australian worker was available, where required.
Skills Assessment
Technical skills verification with the relevant authority, where required for the nominated occupation.
Nomination Application
The employer lodges a nomination for the position and pays the SAF levy where applicable.
Visa Application
The employee submits health, character, English and evidence requirements with the nomination.
Health & Character
Completion of medical examinations and police clearances for all applicants included.
Visa Grant & Pathway Planning
Official approval to commence the role, plus a plan for any future transition to permanent residency.
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) obligations
Employers must meet SAF levy obligations as part of the nomination process. Errors in fee calculation or nomination timing can result in technical refusals, so we confirm current settings before lodgement.
Choosing your pathway
482 vs 186 vs 494 at a glance.
If you need workers quickly, the 482 is often the starting point. If the role and criteria support a permanent grant, the 186 may suit better. If the position is in regional Australia, the 494 offers a structured route to the permanent 191.
| Feature | Subclass 482 | Subclass 186 | Subclass 494 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa outcome | Temporary, up to 4 years | Permanent residency immediately | Provisional (5 years) with pathway to Subclass 191 PR |
| Location conditions | None - employer can be anywhere in Australia | None - employer can be anywhere in Australia | Must work for the sponsoring employer in a designated regional area |
| Points test | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Pathway onward | Core/Specialist streams may lead to a 186 TRT application | End-stage permanent grant | Leads to the permanent Subclass 191 after meeting requirements |
| Typical use case | Filling an immediate skill shortage with flexibility | A genuine, ongoing permanent role with an established employer | A genuine regional employer offer for a longer-term move |
Official resources
Useful links before you start.
These official Home Affairs pages are a useful starting point for understanding sponsorship, nomination and employer sponsored visas. We help interpret the rules against your actual business structure, role and occupation.
Common sponsorship risks
- Nominating an occupation that does not genuinely match the duties of the position.
- Salary packages structured in a way that does not clearly meet the income threshold.
- Incomplete or non-compliant labour market testing advertising.
- Errors in SAF levy calculation or nomination timing.
- Employers letting their sponsorship obligations lapse after the visa is granted.
- Assuming every employer sponsored visa leads automatically to permanent residency.
FAQ
Before you lodge an employer sponsored visa.
Technical analysis and expert answers to help you navigate the employer sponsored programme with clarity and professional precision.
01What is labour market testing and when is it required?
Labour Market Testing requires employers to advertise the nominated position locally for at least 4 weeks to prove no suitable Australian worker was available.
02Can I change employers while on a 482 visa?
Yes, but the new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination for you in the same occupation.
03What are the English requirements for sponsored visas?
Baseline eligibility requires Competent English, such as IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Some permanent residency pathways may require higher scores.
04How long does the corporate nomination process take?
The complete lifecycle commonly spans 6 to 12 months, including labour market testing, nomination, and individual visa processing.
05Can I include my family in my sponsorship application?
Yes. Spouses, de facto partners and dependent children may be included as secondary applicants, usually receiving the same visa duration.
06Can a 482 visa lead to permanent residency?
It can. Holders of the Core Skills or Specialist Skills stream who meet the relevant work experience and other criteria may become eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Subclass 186 visa.
Sponsored. Skilled. Permanent.
Ready to map your sponsorship pathway?
Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor a skilled worker or a worker with a job offer in hand, send us your details and current visa situation. We will confirm the right visa, the documents required, and what a future pathway to permanent residency could look like.
Book your Consultation
MARA Registered Agent #1688088
Intel Migration Pty Ltd
West End, Brisbane QLD
