In 2006-2007, more than 16 thousand skilled migrants were admitted to Australia after being sponsored by employers in these three categories (permanent visas):

• Employer Nomination Scheme
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
• Labour Agreement

Visas in these categories allow skilled workers and any dependent family members included in the application to live as permanent residents in Australia. As permanent residents, skilled workers have the right to receive subsidised health care, an opportunity to receive social security payments, and are eligible to sponsor others for permanent residence. They are also eligible for Australian citizenship subject to the residency eligibility criteria.

In addition to the permanent employer-sponsored visas, there are a number of temporary visa options. These can often be used as a first step toward obtaining permanent status.

Temporary Employer Sponsored Visa categories:

• Temporary Business Long Stay
• Temporary Labour Agreement
• Service Sellers
• Medical Practitioner visa
• Educational visa

Each category and subclass has its own rules and regulations. Deciding which best suits your qualifications, finances and family situation is no easy task. That’s where Daniel & Associates can help. Our Visa Assessment services are designed to answer all your questions about visa requirements and can set you on the right path from the start.

Permanent Visas

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 121/856)

This category allows Australian employers to recruit highly skilled foreign workers for permanent entry into the country if a skills shortage results in a position that cannot be filled by the local workforce.

• Qualified overseas workers or temporary residents in Australia may apply;
• Allows applicant and any dependent family members included in the application to live and work in Australia permanently and study in an Australian school or university;
• Allows applicant and any dependent family members included in the application to receive government health benefits;
• Allows applicant access to social security payments, subject to a waiting period;
• Applicants are permitted to sponsor people for permanent residence, the first step toward qualifying for Australian citizenship

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 119/857)

This sponsorship scheme is one of several programs designed to help state and territory governments boost development in less populated regions.

• Qualified overseas workers or temporary residents in Australia may apply;
• Allows applicant and any dependent family members included in the application to live and work in Australia permanently and study in an Australian school or university;
• Allows applicant and any dependent family members included in the application to receive government health benefits;
• Allows applicant access to social security payments, subject to a waiting period;
• Applicants are permitted to sponsor people for permanent residence, the first step toward qualifying for Australian citizenship.

Labour Agreement

When a particular skills shortage has been identified, employers and the government can make a formal arrangement permitting the employer to recruit a set number of overseas workers.

• Allows applicant and any dependent family members included in the application to live and work in Australia permanently and study in an Australian school or university;
• Allows applicant and any dependent family members included in the application to receive government health benefits;
• Allows applicant access to social security payments, subject to a waiting period;
• Applicants are permitted to sponsor people for permanent residence, the first step toward qualifying for Australian Citizenship

Temporary Visas

Temporary Business Long Stay - Standard Business Sponsorship (subclass 457)

This program is the most common scheme for employers to sponsor overseas people to work in Australia temporarily. It allows employers to sponsor a number of positions for different occupations under a single sponsorship application.

• Applicants can work in Australia for a period of between three months and four years; Applicants are eligible to bring secondary applicants with them (such as partners and dependent children), allowing them to work and study in Australia.

Temporary Labour Agreement

This program allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers on a temporary basis to fill highly skilled positions that cannot be filled due to a skills shortage in the local workforce.

• Applicants can work in Australia for up to four years;
• Applicants are eligible to bring secondary applicants with them (such as partners and dependent children), allowing them to work and study in Australia.

Service Sellers

This program is for representatives of overseas suppliers of services who are negotiating or entering into agreements to supply their services in Australia under the General Agreement on Trade and Services.

• Applicants can stay in Australia for between six and 12 months;
• Applicants are eligible to bring secondary applicants with them (such as partners and dependent children), allowing them to work and study in Australia.

Medical Practitioner visa (subclass 422)

This visa is an alternative for doctors registered to work in Australia who have not applied under the Temporary Business Long Stay visa.

• Doctors trained overseas and overseas students who have completed their medical degree in Australia can apply;
• Allows applicants to work in Australia for between three months and four years;
• Applicants are eligible to bring secondary applicants with them (such as partners and dependent children), allowing them to work and study in Australia.

Educational visa (subclass 418)

This visa is for educational workers who plan to work in Australia on a temporary basis.

• Applicants must be sponsored by a tertiary education or research institution, school or technical college in Australia;
• Applicants can work for three months to four years at a time;
• Applicants are eligible to bring secondary applicants with them (such as partners and dependent children), allowing them to work and study in Australia.

Our Employer Sponsored Migration Services

When you come to Daniel & Associates for help with your employer sponsored migration, here's what we do for you:

• assess whether you meet the visa requirements;
• assess your skills and determine which visa category best suits your qualifications;
• advise you on the Immigration Department fees you will be expected to pay throughout the visa/immigration process, as well as on the cost of our services;
• represent you before the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship or the Australian Embassy abroad, when required;
• thoroughly prepare you for interviews, when required;
• answer your questions during the entire process.

How to Get Started

We have two consulting services to choose from, depending on your goals:

1. Our Visa Assessment service is designed to answer your questions about Employer Sponsored Migration and advise you on how to file your application in the correct category.
2. Our Visa/Immigration Plan goes one step further, providing you with a complete Employer Sponsored Migration plan that will show you what to do every step of the way. Along with a timeline, your personalised plan will let you know exactly when various government fees are due so you won’t have to worry about missing an important deadline.

Click here to learn more about both of these services.