Written by Immigrad · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1805710 · Last updated September 2026
There is no public register of Australian employers willing to sponsor. You find sponsorship the way you find any job: by securing a role in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, at a salary that meets the applicable income threshold, with an employer that is willing to become an approved sponsor and nominate the position.
Why there is no list of sponsoring employers
Sponsorship is not a category of business. It is a decision an employer makes about one position, after concluding it cannot fill the role locally. A business that sponsored someone last year may have no vacancy this year, and being an approved sponsor does not mean a business is hiring. This is why lists of “sponsoring companies” circulated online are of limited use.
What has to line up at the same time
- The occupation. Your occupation must appear on the skilled occupation list for the visa and stream being used, and your actual duties must match that occupation, not just your job title.
- The employer. The business must be, or be willing to become, an approved sponsor. It must have a genuine position and, for most subclass 482 and 494 nominations, must have advertised it in line with labour market testing.
- The salary. For nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576. The pay must also be no less than the annual market salary rate for the role.
What tends to work in practice
Apply for advertised vacancies in your occupation rather than asking strangers to sponsor you. Be ready to explain what sponsorship actually costs the business, because many smaller employers substantially overestimate it and rule it out before asking. Have your evidence assembled first: skills assessment where required, English test result, references and payslips.
Can I pay an employer to sponsor me for a visa?
No. The Department of Home Affairs states that it is illegal for a person to pay an employer to sponsor them for a visa. That includes paying the employer for sponsorship, the employer deducting an amount from your salary, or providing any other benefit in return. Anyone who asks for, receives, offers or provides such a benefit may face consequences including visa refusal or cancellation, fines or imprisonment.
Which employer-sponsored visa would I be sponsored for?
Most commonly the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482, which has Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams. Regional employers may use the subclass 494. Where the employer wants to nominate you directly for permanent residence, the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme applies. Which one fits depends on your occupation, your salary, the employer’s location and how long you have already worked for them.
How much does it cost the employer to sponsor me?
For a subclass 482 nomination the employer pays a Standard Business Sponsorship charge of AUD 420, a nomination charge of AUD 330, and the Skilling Australians Fund levy of AUD 1,200 per year for a business with turnover under AUD 10 million, or AUD 1,800 per year for a larger business. These are the sponsor’s costs and cannot be passed to you.
Do I need a skills assessment before I look for a sponsor?
Not always, but it helps. Whether a skills assessment is required depends on the occupation, the visa and the stream. Having your assessment, English test result and documented work history ready before you approach employers shortens the process for them and makes the conversation concrete. It also tells you early whether your duties actually match the occupation you are relying on.
Related Immigrad guides
- Employer-sponsored visas in Australia
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa
- Labour market testing: the exact rules
- Sponsorship cost calculator
This page is general information current at September 2026. It does not take account of your circumstances and is not a substitute for advice. Fees, thresholds and occupation lists published by the Department of Home Affairs change. If your situation is complex, get personal advice from a registered migration agent.