Complete Guide
Hiring overseas workers
New to sponsorship? This guide walks you through every stage of the process — from assessing whether your role qualifies, to becoming an approved sponsor, lodging the nomination and understanding your obligations once the visa is granted.
- Start-to-finish guide for new sponsors
- Covers all employer visa types
Is Hiring an Overseas Worker Right for Your Business?
Before committing to the employer sponsorship process, it is worth understanding what is involved and whether your situation qualifies. The steps below cover what every new sponsor needs to know — and where we step in to make the process straightforward.
Total Cost Guide for Employers (482 Visa Example)
| Cost Item | Small Business | Large Business |
|---|---|---|
| SBS Application (one-time) | $420 | $420 |
| Nomination fee | $540 | $540 |
| SAF Levy (2-year visa) | $2,400 | $3,600 |
| SAF Levy (4-year visa) | $4,800 | $7,200 |
| Visa application fee (worker pays) | ~$3,340 (typically worker’s cost) | |
| Amity Lawyers professional fees | Fixed fee quoted after consultation | |
Step-by-Step: How to Hire an Overseas Worker in Australia
1. Determine If Your Role Qualifies
Check whether the occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or if the salary qualifies for the Specialist Skills stream. We do this free of charge in your initial consultation.
2. Decide on the Right Visa
Choose between the 482 (temporary), 186 Direct Entry (permanent), 494 (regional), 408 or 400 (short-term) — based on your needs, the worker’s profile, and your long-term intentions.
3. Become an Approved Sponsor
Apply for Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS). Most businesses take 3–4 weeks to get approved with a complete application. Can be done concurrently with the nomination.
4. Advertise the Position (LMT)
For most Core Skills nominations, you must advertise the role for at least 4 weeks and document why no suitable Australian applicant was found.
5. Lodge the Nomination
Submit the nomination with occupation details, salary evidence, LMT records, and a position description. Pay the nomination fee and SAF levy.
6. Worker Lodges the Visa Application
Once the nomination is approved (or concurrently), the worker lodges the visa application with their health, character, and skills documents.
7. Visa Granted — Ongoing Compliance Begins
From this point, your sponsorship obligations apply. We set up your compliance framework on day one to ensure you’re protected from the start.
Related Visa Types
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