Explore Employer Sponsored Visa options including Subclass 482, 186, 494, and DAMA.
Employer-Sponsored Visas are for individuals seeking to work in Australia with employer sponsorship. They include both temporary and permanent pathways.
PR Status: Temporary, with PR pathway through Subclass 186 or 494
Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination: Required
PR Status: Permanent Residency
Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination:Required
PR Status:Provisional, with PR pathway through Subclass 191 Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination: Required
PR Status:Temporary or Provisional (varies by state)
Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination: Required
Easily compare the main features across the different skilled visa subclasses.
| Visa Subclass | PR Status | Nomination | Processing Time | Work Rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 482 | Temporary | ✅ Yes | 3–4 months | Full |
| Subclass 186 | Permanent | ✅ Yes | 14–17 months | Full |
| Subclass 494 | Provisional | ✅ Yes | 6–12 months | Full |
| DAMA | Temporary/Provisional | ✅ Yes | 6–12 months | Full (regional areas) |
Documents you will need to prepare:
| Visa Subclass | Visa Type | Government Fees (AUD) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) | AUD 4,910 (base) | 14–17 months (90% of applications) |
| Subclass 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) | AUD 4,910 (base) | 7–11 months (90%) |
| Subclass 482 | Skills in Demand (SID) | AUD 3,210 (base) | 0–4 months (90% of applications) |
For Employer-Sponsored Visa applicants, the following resources are available:
Employer-Sponsored Visas are designed for individuals who wish to work in Australia under the sponsorship of an Australian employer. These visas allow employers to hire skilled workers from abroad and can lead to permanent residency, depending on the visa subclass.
Yes, you can apply for an Employer-Sponsored Visa from offshore. Subclasses such as 482, 186, and 494 allow for offshore applications. The Subclass 407 (Training Visa) also permits offshore applications.
1. Temporary visas (like Subclass 482 and 494) allow you to work in Australia for a specified period, typically up to 4 years, and can lead to permanent residency after meeting eligibility requirements.
2. Permanent visas (like Subclass 186 and 187) allow you to live and work in Australia permanently as soon as your visa is granted.
Yes, you can include your spouse and dependent children in your Employer-Sponsored Visa application. Family members can be granted work rights and access to healthcare benefits in Australia, depending on the visa subclass.
Processing times vary depending on the visa subclass:
Yes, certain Employer-Sponsored Visas provide a pathway to Permanent Residency (PR):
Once your Employer-Sponsored Visa is granted, you can live and work in Australia. If your visa is permanent, you can stay indefinitely. For temporary visas, you may be able to transition to permanent residency after meeting certain requirements, such as working in a regional area or completing a certain period of employment.
To meet the health and character requirements:
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