Written by Immigrad · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1805710 · Last updated October 2026
No. The Department of Home Affairs states that it will not refund an employer’s sponsorship or nomination costs if the application is not successful. An employer sponsoring under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program pays AUD420 to become an approved sponsor and AUD330 for each nomination, and these costs cannot be passed to the visa holder.
What the Department of Home Affairs says about these costs
The Department of Home Affairs publishes the costs of sponsoring on its Cost of sponsoring page. At the time of writing (checked 19 October 2026), it lists AUD420 for becoming an approved sponsor under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program and AUD330 for nominating a visa applicant. It also states that the employer must pay all costs associated with becoming a sponsor, nominating and sponsoring an applicant, and that it will not refund those costs if the application is not successful.
In practice, an employer should treat the sponsorship approval fee and the nomination fee as sunk costs once an application is lodged. The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a separate charge that Home Affairs calculates from the nomination application. Any question about whether a particular payment can be recovered in a specific situation is best confirmed with the Department before lodging.
For a full breakdown of fees across the sponsored visa programs, see our guide to 482 visa costs for employers and our sponsor cost calculator.
Can the employer ask the worker to repay the sponsorship or nomination fees?
No. Home Affairs states that a sponsoring employer must pay all costs associated with becoming a sponsor, nominating and sponsoring an applicant, and cannot transfer those costs to the visa holder or their family members. The Skilling Australians Fund levy must also not be passed on to the visa applicant. Employers should seek personal advice before arranging any cost-sharing with a sponsored worker.
When is the Skilling Australians Fund levy paid?
The Department of Home Affairs calculates the Skilling Australians Fund levy from the information in the online nomination application, and it is payable in full when the nomination is lodged. The amount depends on the size of the sponsoring business and the proposed period of stay of the worker. The levy must not be passed on to the visa applicant.
What does Home Affairs list for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)?
For the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Home Affairs lists a nomination fee of AUD540, subject to stream and location. For the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program it lists AUD420 to become an approved sponsor and AUD330 to nominate. These figures were checked against the Department’s Cost of sponsoring page on 19 October 2026 and should be re-checked before lodging.
How can an employer reduce the risk of paying for an unsuccessful application?
Reviewing sponsor eligibility, the nominated occupation, the salary and the labour market testing evidence before lodging helps an employer identify problems early. A registered migration agent can carry out that review. It does not guarantee an outcome, because the decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs, and fees paid at lodgement are not refunded if an application is unsuccessful.
Related reading: whether an employer can make a worker pay sponsorship costs, the SAF levy explained and standard business sponsorship requirements.
This is general information only and is not legal or migration advice. Fees and rules are set by the Department of Home Affairs and can change, so check the Department’s website before lodging. Complex cases need personal advice from a registered migration agent.
Talk to a registered migration agent about employer sponsorship