Employer-sponsored visas in Australia: 482, 494 and 186
Settledin Team5 min readEmployer sponsorship in Australia works in three steps. An employer becomes a sponsor, the employer nominates a position, and the worker applies for the visa. The main employer-sponsored visas are the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
Checked against Home Affairs on 31 October 2026.
Which visas are employer-sponsored?
Home Affairs describes the 482 as a temporary visa that lets an employer sponsor a suitably skilled worker to fill a position the employer can't fill with a suitably skilled Australian. The 494 and 186 have the same starting point: a nomination by an employer.
| Visa | Temporary or permanent | Where the job is | Main streams | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482) | Temporary, up to 4 years (5 for Hong Kong passport holders) | Australia-wide | Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement | 482 visa page and 482 guide |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) | Temporary, 5 years | Designated regional areas only | Employer Sponsored, Labour Agreement | 494 visa page |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) | Permanent | Australia-wide | Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, Labour Agreement | 186 visa page |
Two related options sit outside this table:
- DAMA. A Designated Area Migration Agreement is a labour agreement. Home Affairs describes it as a two-tier framework covering a defined regional area), with a head agreement for the region and individual labour agreements with employers.
- Training visa (subclass 407). This is a temporary visa for workplace-based training with a sponsor. Home Affairs says it is not intended to fill workforce shortages. From 12 November 2026, applicants must be outside Australia when they apply and when it is granted. See the 407 visa page.
How does employer sponsorship work?
Home Affairs sets the process out in how to sponsor a worker. The three steps, and who does each one:
- Sponsorship (the business). The employer becomes an approved sponsor. Home Affairs says a business may also apply to be an accredited sponsor, depending on the visa.
- Nomination (the position). The employer nominates the occupation or position and names the person who will fill it. In most cases the position must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Visa application (the worker). Home Affairs says this step is the responsibility of the skilled worker. Some workers need a skills assessment as part of it. See our skills assessment guide.
The employer's step comes first. On the 482, for example, Home Affairs says the employer submits a nomination before the worker can apply.
What are the main requirements?
The headline requirements differ by visa. This is what each Home Affairs page lists.
| Visa | Occupation | Skills and experience | English | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 Core Skills | On the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | Set out on the stream page | Set out on the stream page | Nominated by an employer that is an approved sponsor, or has at least applied to be a Standard business sponsor |
| 494 | On a relevant skilled occupation list | A suitable skills assessment, and at least 3 years in the occupation on a full-time basis, with limited exceptions | Minimum standards of English | Under 45 years of age when applying, with listed exemptions |
| 186 Direct Entry | Nominated position | Most applicants need a skills assessment and at least 3 years of relevant work experience | Set out on the stream page | Nominated by an Australian employer. The visa application is lodged within 6 months of the nomination being approved. |
Home Affairs publishes the salary requirements for nominations. For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027:
| Threshold | Applies to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | 482 Core Skills stream and 186 | AUD 79,423 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | 482 Specialist Skills stream | AUD 146,576 |
| Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) | 494 | AUD 79,423 |
Salary figures from Home Affairs, last updated 21 September 2026.
Home Affairs also says the employer must pay the skilled worker no less than the applicable market salary rate for the occupation and in line with the visa or nomination requirements. To look up an occupation, use the Settledin occupation pages.
Can an employer-sponsored visa lead to permanent residence?
Home Affairs describes two paths:
- 482 to 186. On the 482 page, Home Affairs says an employer may be able to sponsor a worker for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). The Temporary Residence Transition stream lists its own rules, including two years of full-time sponsored employment in the three years before the visa application.
- 494 to 191. Home Affairs says that after holding the 494 for 3 years, a holder can apply for permanent residence. Our 191 guide explains how the 191 works. The broader guide to PR in Australia lists the other pathways.
Each stream has its own conditions, so the stream pages above are the place to read them.
How do you find an employer on the sponsor list?
Home Affairs does not publish a live public list of sponsors.
Settledin's job board marks ads from employers on the Home Affairs accredited sponsor list released under Freedom of Information, as at 15 January 2025. The match is by company name, so the mark shows only that the name matches the list. Each ad says what it offers. Confirm with the employer before relying on any ad.
Our post on sponsored jobs in Australia explains how the job board works.
Search sponsored jobs on Settledin
Never pay for sponsorship
Home Affairs states plainly that it is illegal for a person to pay an employer to sponsor them for a visa. That includes paying the employer, the employer deducting an amount from salary, or providing any other benefit to the employer. Home Affairs says anyone who asks for, receives, offers or provides a benefit in return for visa sponsorship or employment may face visa refusal or cancellation, fines or imprisonment.
Employer-sponsored visa questions
What is the difference between the 482 and the 186?
The 482 is a temporary visa and the 186 is a permanent visa. Home Affairs describes the 186 as a visa that lets workers nominated by their employer live and work in Australia permanently. The 482 page says the employer nominates the worker for a set period, up to a maximum of 4 years.
Can I find my own sponsor?
Employers do the sponsoring and nominating. Workers can look for job ads from employers, and the employer decides whether to nominate. The worker's own step is the visa application, once a nomination exists.
Is there a certificate of sponsorship in Australia?
"Certificate of sponsorship" is a United Kingdom term. Home Affairs' process uses a nomination by an approved sponsor, followed by the worker's visa application.
Does every employer on the sponsor list sponsor every job?
No. Being on the list means the business appears on the Home Affairs accredited sponsor list released under FOI, as at 15 January 2025. It does not say which jobs, if any, an employer would nominate. Confirm with the employer.
How much does employer sponsorship cost the worker?
Home Affairs shows the visa application charge on each visa page and in its visa pricing estimator, last updated 1 July 2026. Workers also pay other costs such as English tests, health checks, police certificates and biometrics. The nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy are costs for the employer. Home Affairs says the levy is paid when the employer submits the nomination application.
This article describes published Department of Home Affairs rules, checked on 31 October 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, visa pages for subclasses 482, 494, 186 and 407, Salary requirements, How to sponsor a worker, Cost of sponsoring and Designated Area Migration Agreements, checked 31 October 2026.