Employer-Sponsored Visa Australia: 482, 186, 494 and 407 Visa Guide

An employer-sponsored visa lets an Australian employer sponsor a skilled overseas worker for an eligible position. It’s built around a genuine job offer-not a points test.

This guide covers the four main pathways:

• Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand visa (temporary)
• Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa (permanent)
• Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (provisional, regional)
• Subclass 407  – Training visa (temporary)

Rules, salary thresholds, and costs change often. Always confirm current details with the Department of Home Affairs before applying.

Note: A job offer alone does not guarantee a visa. The employer, the position, and the applicant all need to meet requirements.

What Is an Employer Sponsored Visa?

An Australian employer sponsors (or nominates) a skilled overseas worker for a specific role. Both sides have obligations:

Employer must:

• Become an approved sponsor (if required)
• Nominate an eligible position
• Meet salary and market rate rules

Worker must:

• Meet skills, English, health, and character requirements

The Subclass 407 Training visa also involves sponsorship, but it’s for structured training-not ordinary employment. It’s a separate pathway.

The Four Main Visa Options

Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa

Temporary visa Replaced the old TSS visa on 7 December 2024.

Three streams:

• Core Skills – occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List; needs 1+ years of relevant experience (unless exempt)
• Specialist Skills – for higher-paid roles; different occupation/salary rules
• Labour Agreement – for employers with a labour agreement

Stay period: Up to 4 years (varies by circumstance).

Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

Permanent visa.

Main pathways:

• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) – for existing 482/457 holders with 2+ years of eligible sponsored employment
• Direct Entry for applicants who don’t qualify via TRT; may need a skills assessment
• Labor Agreement

Age limit: Generally, under 45, with some exemptions.

Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa

5-year provisional visa for regional employer-sponsored roles.

• “Regional” is defined by specific postcodes, not just “outside a capital city”
• Leads to permanent residence via Subclass 191
• Subclass 191 requires 3+ years on the eligible visa, plus tax assessments for 3 of the 5 years
• No minimum income requirement for Subclass 191

Subclass 407 – Training Visa

Temporary visa for structured, workplace-based occupational training-not ordinary employment.

• Granted for the length of the approved training program, up to a maximum of 2 years
• Covers three training types: registration-related training, skills enhancement in an eligible occupation, or capacity building overseas
• Requires an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor and a detailed training plan
• Whether an occupation list applies depends on the training type
• From 11 March 2026, sponsorship and nomination must each be approved before the visa application can be lodged
• Not a direct pathway to permanent residence

Common Pathways to Permanent Residency

Neither pathway is automatic. You must still meet requirements at the time you apply, and your employer may need to nominate you again.

482 vs 186 vs 494 at a Glance

Quick pick:

• Want temporary work now – 482
• Already meet permanent criteria – 186
• Open to regional Australia – 494

Eligibility Requirements

Requirements vary by visa and stream but generally cover:

• Occupation – Must be on the correct current list (check ANZSCO code, stream, and caveats – Not just the job title)
• Work experience – Core Skills stream needs 1+ years of relevant experience
• Skills assessment – Not always required; depends on occupation, nationality, and stream
• English language – Requirement varies by visa; exemptions may apply
• Employer nomination – Employer must nominate a genuine position, meet salary rules, and complete Labour Market Testing where required
• Health and character – Medical exams, police certificates, identity checks
• Age – No general limit for 482; under 45 generally for 186 and 494 (exemptions apply)

2026–27 Salary Thresholds

Effective 1 July 2026:

Applies to:

• CSIT – 482 Core Skills stream, 186 nominations
• SSIT –  482 Specialist Skills stream
• TSMIT –  regional sponsored nominations (494)

Important: Use AUD 79,423 / AUD 146,576 – not earlier forecast figures of $79,499 / $146,717.

Meeting the threshold isn’t enough on its own – the salary must also meet the Annual Market Salary Rate for the role, if that’s higher.

Thresholds are indexed and can change every 1 July, so check the current figure when your nomination is lodged.

Costs

Applicant costs (from 1 July 2026)

Also, budget for:

• Health exams
• Police certificates
• English testing
• Skills assessment (if required)
• Biometrics
• Migration agent fees (if used)

Use the Department’s Visa Pricing Estimator for exact figures — charges change.

Employer costs

• Sponsorship approval
• Nomination
• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
• Recruitment/advertising
• Compliance and record-keeping

Note: The SAF levy and other prohibited costs cannot legally be passed on to the sponsored worker.

Processing Times

There’s no fixed timeframe – processing depends on the visa, stream, and the completeness of the application.

• 482: Varies by stream; straightforward nominations tend to move faster
• 186: Can take significantly longer, especially with missing or unverifiable information
• 494: Varies by nomination and health/character/skills checks

A decision-ready application (complete, consistent evidence) can reduce delays – but doesn’t guarantee a faster outcome.

Check the Department’s current processing guide before making travel or employment plans.

How Employer Sponsorship Works

1. Find a willing employer – Not every employer with a vacancy will sponsor, due to cost and compliance obligations
2. Labour Market Testing (LMT) – Employer may need to show genuine recruitment efforts (required for some 482 nominations)
3. Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) – Employer must pay at least the market rate for the role, even if higher than the visa threshold
4. Employer nomination – Employer submits evidence on the business, position, salary, and occupation
5. Visa application – You submit your application and supporting evidence
6. Decision – Department assesses against visa criteria; may request more evidence

482 to 186 Pathway

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream:

• Requires 2+ years of eligible sponsored employment on a 457/482 (or eligible bridging visa)

Direct Entry stream:

• For applicants who don’t qualify via TRT
• May require a skills assessment

Simplified timeline:

Two years of employment does not automatically mean PR. You still need to meet all requirements at the time you apply, and your employer must agree to nominate you.

Employer Obligations

Approved sponsors must:

• Comply with migration and workplace laws
• Keep required records
• Notify the Department of relevant changes (employment ending, business structure changes, contact details, etc.)
• Pay the required salary and market rate
• Maintain compliance after the visa is granted – not just during the application

If sponsorship ends: A 482 holder generally has a limited window to find a new sponsor or visa. Don’t assume you can simply start a new job without checking visa conditions first – this can also affect your PR pathway.

Finding a Sponsoring Employer

H3: Common sponsoring industries:

• Healthcare
• Engineering
• IT
• Construction
• Skilled trades
• Education
• Aged care
• Hospitality
• Professional services

To improve your chances:

• Confirm your occupation is eligible for your target pathway
• Make your CV clear: occupation, qualifications, experience, technical skills, registrations, English ability
• Target employers with a history of sponsoring overseas workers

If an employer won’t sponsor you:

• Look for another employer
• Consider regional opportunities (494)
• Check other eligible occupations
• Explore points-tested pathways (189, 190, 491)
• Get professional advice

Employer Sponsored vs Points-Tested Visas

Choose based on whether your strongest advantage is an employer connection or your independent points profile.

Bringing Family

• Eligible partners and dependent children can usually be included as secondary applicants (check specific visa rules)
• Work/study rights for family members depend on the visa conditions
• 186 permanent residents can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely and enrol in Medicare
• Temporary/provisional visa holders may need private health insurance – check reciprocal health arrangements for your nationality

What Counts as “Regional” for the 494?

• Defined by specific designated postcodes – not just “outside Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane”
• Check the Department’s current regional area list for your job’s exact location
• Leads to PR via Subclass 191 after 3+ years on an eligible visa
• No minimum income requirement for Subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream – but ATO notices of assessment required for 3 of 5 years

Common Reasons for Refusal

• Salary issues – Doesn’t meet threshold or market rate
• LMT evidence gaps – Incomplete recruitment/advertising records
• Occupation mismatch – Job duties don’t match the nominated occupation
• Weak experience evidence – Poor references, unexplained gaps, inconsistent dates
• Nomination problems – Issues with business genuineness, salary, or compliance

What Changed in 2026?

• Salary thresholds increased (1 July 2026): CSIT/TSMIT – AUD 79,423; SSIT – AUD 146,576
• Visa charges increased (1 July 2026): 482 from AUD 4,015; 186 & 494 from AUD 6,140
• Subclass 407 Training visa remains separate from these employer-sponsored pathways

Bottom line: If your salary was close to the old threshold, check if it still qualifies under the new figures.

Application Process (Overview)

• Find an eligible employer with a genuine role matching your occupation
• Employer sponsorship – Employer applies for approval (if required)
• Employer nomination – Employer nominates the position (salary, occupation, LMT evidence)
• Lodge your visa application with supporting evidence
• Health and character checks – Medical exam, police certificates
• Decision – Department may request more evidence before deciding

FAQs About Employer-Sponsored Visa Australia

Can any Australian employer sponsor a worker?

No. The employer must meet sponsorship requirements and get approval where required.

Can I apply without a sponsor?

No – sponsorship is the core requirement. Without one, consider 189, 190 or 491 instead.

How much does it cost?

From AUD 4,015 (482) or AUD 6,140 (186/494), plus health checks, police certificates, English tests, and possible professional fees.

How long does it take?

No fixed timeframe. Check the Department’s current processing guide before applying.

Can I change employers on a 482?

Only with proper sponsorship and nomination in place for the new employer. Don’t start a new job before checking your visa conditions.

Can an employer-sponsored visa lead to PR?

Yes – 482 can lead to 186; 494 can lead to 191, once requirements are met.

Can my family come with me?

Yes, generally, if they meet the relevant requirements – check the specific visa rules.

Do I need a skills assessment?

Not always. Depends on occupation and visa stream.

What English level do I need?

Depends on the visa and stream; exemptions may apply. Check current Department requirements.

What if my employer withdraws sponsorship?

You’ll have a limited window to find a new sponsor or visa. Act quickly – don’t ignore it.

Can I apply for PR after a 482?

Yes, potentially via the 186 TRT pathway if you meet the 2-year employment eligibility requirement and other criteria.

Is This the Right Pathway for You?

Employer sponsorship may suit you if:

• You have a genuine job offer
• Your occupation is eligible
• Your salary meets the threshold and market rate
• You’re open to regional work (if relevant)

It may not suit you if you don’t have a sponsoring employer, or if your profile is stronger under a points-tested visa.

Get Professional Help

A registered migration agent or immigration lawyer can help you:

• Choose the right pathway
• Check occupation eligibility
• Review salary and evidence requirements
• Prepare nomination documents
• Plan a temporary-to-permanent pathway

Book a confidential consultation with Ghothane Lawyers to discuss your employer-sponsored visa options and understand the next steps for your situation.