Home » Employer Sponsored Visas Australia | Subclass 482, 186, 494, DAMA

Your Pathway to Australian
Employment & Residency

Explore Employer Sponsored Visa options including Subclass 482, 186, 494, and DAMA. 

🔎 Visa Snapshot

Visa Type: Employer-sponsored visas | Subclass 186, 494, 482, DAMA

Pathway to PR: Subclass 186 & Subclass 494 | Provisional to Permanent Residency via Subclass 191

Points Test: No

Processing Time: 3–18 months (depending on subclass and eligibility)

Family Inclusion: Yes, for spouse and dependent children

Common Use: Skilled professionals, regional workers, and training programs

Visa Fees: Subclass 186: AUD 4,045, Subclass 494: AUD 2,645, Subclass 482: AUD 1,290, DAMA: Varies

Eligibility: Employer-sponsored, at least 1 years of relevant work experience, English proficiency, under 45 (unless exempt)

Regional Work: Required for Subclass 494 and DAMA (must work in designated regional areas)

Skill Level: Most occupations require a Skill Level 2 or 3 and a positive skills assessment for Subclass 186 & Subclass 494

Nomination: Must be nominated by an approved Australian employer

Health & Character: Applicants must meet health and character requirements

What This Visa Category Covers

Employer-Sponsored Visas are for individuals seeking to work in Australia with employer sponsorship. They include both temporary and permanent pathways. 

Ideal for:​

Full Work Rights:

Family Inclusion:

🧩 Explore Visa Streams

Subclass 482
Skill in Demand Visa

PR Status: Temporary, with PR pathway through Subclass 186 or 494
Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination: Required

Learn More

Subclass 186
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa

PR Status: Permanent Residency
Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination:Required

Learn More

Subclass 494
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

PR Status:Provisional, with PR pathway through Subclass 191 Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination: Required

Learn More

DAMA
Designated Area Migration Agreements

PR Status:Temporary or Provisional (varies by state)
Onshore/Offshore: Yes
Nomination: Required

Learn More

📊 Compare Visa Streams

Easily compare the main features across the different skilled visa subclasses.

Visa SubclassPR StatusNominationProcessing TimeWork Rights
Subclass 482Temporary✅ Yes3–4 monthsFull
Subclass 186Permanent✅ Yes14–17 monthsFull
Subclass 494Provisional✅ Yes6–12 monthsFull
DAMATemporary/Provisional✅ Yes6–12 monthsFull (regional areas)

Eligibility Criteria & Application Steps

Employer Nomination

Age: Under 45 (unless exempt)

English Proficiency

Required Documents

Documents you will need to prepare:

For the Applicant - Partner

Passport Copy ​

Identity documents

English test (IELTS/PTE)

For the Dependent -if applicable

Proof of relationship

Health & character documents

Visa Fees & Processing Time

Visa SubclassVisa TypeGovernment Fees (AUD)Processing Time
Subclass 186Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)AUD 4,910 (base)14–17 months (90% of applications)
Subclass 494Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)AUD 4,910 (base)7–11 months (90%)
Subclass 482Skills in Demand (SID)AUD 3,210 (base)0–4 months (90% of applications)

🧰 Tools & Downloads

For Employer-Sponsored Visa applicants, the following resources are available: 

Download Subclass 190 Migration Pack
Download Subclass 190
Migration Pack
Discover
Check Your Eligibility
Check Your Eligibility
Download EOI Guide
Download EOI Guide

❓Frequently Asked Questions

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: 

  • Subclass 407: 3–6 months
    Processing times may vary based on the complexity of your application and other factors. 

Yes, certain Employer-Sponsored Visas provide a pathway to Permanent Residency (PR): 

  • Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) offers direct PR. 
  • Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa) is a provisional visa, but after 3 years, you can apply for PR through the Subclass 191 visa. 
  • Subclass 407 (Training Visa) is temporary and does not lead directly to PR but can provide a route for other visas once training is complete. 

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: 

  • You will need to undergo a medical examination by an approved panel doctor to ensure you meet Australia’s health standards. 
  • You will also need to provide a police certificate from each country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years to ensure you meet the character requirements. 

📞 Book a Free Consultation with a Migration Expert

Speak directly with a MARA-registered migration agent and have your Skilled Visa strategy explained step-by-step — at no cost.

Why Trust Visa Advisor?

Choosing the right migration partner can make all the difference. 

 Here’s why Visa Advisor is the trusted choice

Expert Guidance

MARA-registered agents with years of experience simplify your migration journey.

Transparent Pricing

Clear, upfront costs with no hidden fees—just honest advice.

Global Support

Flexible online and in-person consultations, wherever you are.

Smart Tools

Advanced visa finders and calculators to make decisions easier.

Proven Results

Trusted by clients for reliable, personalized migration support.

Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.