How to Find an Employer Sponsor Work in Australia – 2024

One of the most common questions we receive is, “How do I find an Employer sponsor?” With the decrease in state nominations and the end of the 408 Covid work visa, many individuals in Australia are searching for alternative ways to secure a temporary visa. Additionally, the new Migration Strategy introduced in December 2023 has prompted people to consider finding a sponsor to help them stay in Australia, potentially leading to permanent residency in the future.

Finding a sponsor in Australia requires diligence, patience, strategy, and even some luck. In this blog, we will provide eight tips to help you find a Sponsor in Australia.

1. Learn About Visa Options and Their Requirements

There are four types of visas that require an employer sponsor:

• The 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa allows Australian employers to address labor shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers.
• The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa enables skilled workers who are nominated by an employer to live and work in Australia permanently.
• The 494 Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa is designed for skilled workers who wish to work in regional Australia.
• DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreements) offers a flexible approach to addressing unique economic and labor conditions across Australia.

2. Prepare Your Profile for Employer-Sponsored Positions

First, ensure your CV and cover letter align with Australian standards for an occupation on the relevant list. For example, if you are a Chef, highlight your relevant skills, experience, and any training.

Questions to Consider:

• Is my LinkedIn profile updated to include experience and qualifications?
• Have I completed the English language testing required for many work visas?
• Does my occupation require registration, such as for health professionals?

These steps can serve as the starting point in your search for a sponsor.

3. Search Key Online Job Websites

Seek is the most common job website in Australia. You can narrow your search by including keywords such as 482 sponsorship, employer sponsor, or DAMA, as many employers may not be looking to hire employees that need a sponsored visa.

LinkedIn is also a valuable platform to look for potential sponsors in your field.

4. Research and Contact Employers Who Are Already Approved Sponsors

You can find a list of approved accredited sponsors. These sponsors have a strong track record and are granted faster processing times.

You can also search for Labour Agreement employers on the Department of Home Affairs website. Check the searchable list in the Labour Agreement section:

Labour Agreements List

Reviewing these lists can give you a starting point to identify companies that match your occupation. For example, restaurants or large hotels for Chefs.

5. Build Your Personal and Professional Network

Networking is key. Attend industry meetups, webinars, and forums, both online and in person if possible. Conferences can be an excellent place to make connections within your industry. The more you network, the higher your chances of finding a potential sponsor.

6. Consider Regional Areas and Smaller Cities

Consider moving to regions where there are more shortages and potentially more opportunities to find a sponsor in your occupation.

For onshore candidates, consider roles in or related to your target industry, even if they are at a lower level than your desired job. For example, if you want to work as an Architect, consider working as an architectural draftsperson. This could be your opportunity to start working in your field in Australia.

7. Engage with the Employer

Once you’ve identified potential sponsors, it’s time to engage.

For onshore applicants on temporary visas, you may want to consider securing a relevant job and building a relationship before asking for sponsorship.

For offshore applicants, it can be more challenging as you may need to discuss sponsorship early in the process.

8. Get Professional Help with the Visa

When you find a sponsor, consider seeking assistance from a registered migration agent or lawyer to help with your visa application.

Contact us if you need help with an existing employer-sponsored visa such as 186, 482, 494, or DAMA.

A New Sponsor Visa Coming Soon: The Skills in Demand Visa

The Migration Strategy, released in December 2023, introduced the Skills in Demand Visa with three pathways: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills. The new Skills in Demand Visa will provide more flexibility to workers and employers and is set to be implemented in late 2024.

No Payment for Sponsorship

It is crucial to know that you cannot pay an employer to sponsor you. If an employer asks for payment or receives a benefit for sponsorship, they are committing a crime.

The legislation imposes penalties on anyone who asks for, receives, offers, or provides a benefit in exchange for visa sponsorship or employment requiring visa sponsorship.

The Aim Is to:

• Prevent employers from asking potential employees for money or other benefits for a sponsored visa position.
• Prevent applicants from offering employers money or other benefits for a sponsored visa position.

Civil Penalties

• Infringement notice of up to AUD12,600 for a body corporate and AUD2,520 for an individual for each violation.
• Civil penalty order of up to AUD63,000 for a corporation and AUD12,600 for an individual for each violation.

The visa holder can have their visa canceled, and the sponsor can have their Standard Business Sponsorship canceled. If the employer has multiple employees on 482 visas, and their sponsorship is canceled, none of the 482 holders can work for the employer, leading to significant disruptions.