Applying for an Australian working visa as a skilled professional can be a long process. Depending on the subclass of your visa application, you can easily find yourself stuck in the queue for months and months.
In this article, you will read how to beat the queue and get your Australian working visa application favorably and swiftly processed.
One of the best ways is to find a job with an Australian company before even applying for a visa, thereby getting your new employer to sponsor your application.
Advantages of employer-sponsored visa in Australia
- Guaranteed employment: An employer-sponsored visa guarantees you a job upon your arrival in Australia. This eliminates the uncertainty and financial risk of moving to a new country without a secure job in place.
- Long-term career prospects: Skilled sponsored worker visas such as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) offer secure employment for multiple years. This could offer you the chance to progress your career and gain valuable international work experience.
- Pathway to permanent residency: If you're on a 457 or 482 visa and have been employed with the same employer for at least two or three years respectively, you could be eligible to apply for an Employer Nominated Sponsorship Visa 186. This visa is a pathway to becoming a permanent resident in Australia.
- Employer support: Obtaining an employer-sponsored visa means your employer is willing to support your move to Australia. This backing can provide emotional reassurance and practical assistance, such as help with relocation costs, housing, or understanding local customs.
How to get an employer-sponsored visa
Examine Australia Skilled Occupation Lists closely
If you want to move to live and work in Australia and find a job in advance to apply for an employer-sponsored visa, the Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL) are your friends. Take a look at them and identify where your skills are most in demand.
Target jobs that are on the SOL and employers who need your skill set.
Find a suitable priority group
Make sure your application falls under one of the priority groups. It will determine how fast your application will be processed.
Priority processing arrangements apply to skilled migration applications. They determine the order in which the department considers applications. Applications with a higher priority will be processed ahead of lower priority applications, regardless of when the application is lodged.
You can check the priority groups and SOL on Australia's official immigration site.
Find out what applications are prioritized for faster processing
Different types of visas have different processing times, with some being processed for 33 months and over.
Currently, one of the fastest visas to be processed is the Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 887). Half of the applications are processed within 56 days, the rest take up to 6 months, and very few applications take more than six months.
You can check various visas and the processing time with this government tool.
Australian employer-sponsored visa requirements
There are requirements for both prospective employers and employees.
Your employer, in most cases, should be an approved sponsor. For certain visa types, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) and the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), being an approved sponsor is a must.
Another requirement is Labour Market Testing (LMT). Some visas require the employer to show that the job on offer has been advertised in Australia for at least four weeks in two ads. This is to protect domestic labor and ensure that Australian residents have the opportunity to apply for the position.
Basic requirements for job-seekers include the following:
- You must be nominated by an approved work sponsor
- Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
- Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- Be under 45 years of age
- Have good English
There are additional requirements depending on the visa sub-class.
Employer sponsorship job search
Identify potential employers
The fastest way to get a job is often to approach an employer directly and apply for a vacancy they are currently advertising.
Search online for employers within your industry in Australia, look at their web presence and company details, and determine whether there are currently any jobs you could apply for.
As an option, the Department of Home Affairs website has a Disclosure logs section where you can find lists of companies that have sponsored visas in the past: Standard Business Sponsorship, Accredited Sponsors for the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa part 1 and part 2.
Even if there are no advertised vacancies, you could contact the HR department with your resume and a cover letter.
Know how to use recruitment consultants & employment agencies
Recruiters list jobs, send candidates for interviews, and follow up on all the paperwork. Consultants, on the other hand, tend to be much more ‘hands-on’ in terms of helping their clients find work. Knowing who and what type of agency you’re working with can help you plan accordingly.
Generally, you will get a lot more from a recruitment consultant – and you will get even more if you work with them. The more you can do to help yourself, the more they will get to know you and be able to determine where you would fit within a particular organization.
Finding a good consultant could be your way into a dream job.
At the same time, employment agencies are a central place for job listings – and they can get your CV in front of the right people within interested organizations.
Job sites
When browsing various job sites, look for jobs that explicitly say Australian Visa Sponsorship Available. Also, before applying, check whether visa sponsorship is offered to candidates outside Australia.
Some companies only sponsor senior roles, but some have stated they can sponsor. So it will depend on how you approach them, the role, and your level of skills and experience.
The most popular job sites are Australia Indeed, 482jobs, and Seek. Also, check AU Tech Jobs for tech jobs in Australia from 85+ companies with a focus on work visa sponsorship.
Process of applying for a sponsored visa
The process of applying for a sponsored visa in Australia involves three key stages:
Sponsorship
The first stage is finding an approved sponsor in Australia who is willing to support your visa application. The temporary sponsorship arrangements allow qualified businesses to bring in overseas personnel for up to 4 years.
Nomination
The second stage is the Nomination. Here, the sponsoring employer proposes the foreign worker for a particular position. This typically involves a detailed job description and an indication that the role cannot be filled by an Australian resident or citizen.
Visa application
Once the nomination is approved, the foreign worker can submit their visa application.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Understanding the types of visas: Familiarize yourself with the visa options available for sponsored workers, notably the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) and Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482). Each visa has specific requirements and durations, so choose the one that suits your situation best.
- Securing sponsorship: Look for an employer who is willing and eligible to sponsor you. This may include businesses in Australia or overseas. They may need to become an approved sponsor for certain visa types before they can officially sponsor you.
- Application nominations: Once you have found an employer willing to sponsor you, they will need to complete a nomination application on your behalf, indicating they would like to bring you to Australia to work for them.
- Application submission: After your employer has successfully nominated you, you can then apply for the visa.
- Labour Agreement Process: In certain situations, a labour agreement may need to be done. This includes an acceptance of the labour agreement, followed by nomination by the employer, and finally, the nominee's application for a visa.
- Compliance with requirements: Make sure to meet all visa requirements and provide all necessary documentation. This might involve proving your skills and qualifications for the job, providing health and character checks, or showing evidence of competent English language ability.
- Waiting for approval: Once your visa application has been submitted, you will need to wait for approval. During this time, you may be asked to provide additional documents or attend an interview. Patience is key as processing times can vary.
Final words on getting a job in Australia
A personalized and proactive approach to finding a job in Australia is the right way to go. Researching the job market and understanding the requirements and qualifications for the position you’re interested in is essential.
Networking and building relationships with professionals in your field can also increase your chances of finding employment. With the right mindset and effort, you can find a fulfilling career and make a successful transition to living and working in Australia.
You might find useful:
- Living In Australia As An Expat - a detailed guide on moving to and settling down in Australia
- Best Places To Live In Australia
- How To Retire To Australia
Helpful external links:
- Australia’s Working Holiday - aph.gov.au
- Temporary skill shortage visa - immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
