The cost to sponsor a work visa in Australia varies widely depending on the visa subclass, the size of the sponsoring business, and additional applicant charges
. The total fees are a combination of government charges paid to the Department of Home Affairs, the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, and other costs such as medicals and police checks.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
The 482 visa allows Australian businesses to sponsor a skilled worker for a temporary position.
- Sponsorship application: The employer must first apply to become a Standard Business Sponsor for a fee of $420 AUD. This sponsorship is valid for five years.
- Nomination application: The employer must nominate the specific position, which costs $330 AUD.
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: This levy is a mandatory fee paid by the employer.
- Small businesses (turnover less than $10 million): $1,200 AUD per year or part thereof.
- Other businesses (turnover $10 million or more): $1,800 AUD per year or part thereof.
- Visa application fee: This is paid by the visa applicant. The amount depends on the visa stream.
- Short-term stream: $1,455 AUD for the primary applicant.
- Medium-term or Labour Agreement stream: $3,035 AUD for the primary applicant.
- Dependent applicants: Additional charges apply for family members included in the visa application.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
The 186 visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by their employer for a permanent position.
- Nomination application: The employer pays $540 AUD. This may be waived for certain streams and regional locations.
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: For permanent visas, the levy is a one-time fee paid by the employer.
- Small businesses: $3,000 AUD.
- Other businesses: $5,000 AUD.
- Visa application fee: $4,910 AUD for the primary applicant.
- Dependent applicants: Additional charges apply for family members.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
The 494 visa is for skilled workers to live and work in a designated regional area for five years.
- Sponsorship application: The employer pays $420 AUD to become a sponsor.
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: A one-off fee paid by the employer.
- Small businesses: $3,000 AUD.
- Other businesses: $5,000 AUD.
- Visa application fee: $4,910 AUD for the primary applicant.
- Dependent applicants: Additional charges apply for family members.
Other potential costs
In addition to the government fees, there may be other expenses:
- Migration agent fees: Using a migration agent can cost several thousand dollars, depending on the complexity of the case.
- Health examination: A medical exam is required and can cost between $400 and $450 AUD per person.
- Police certificates: A fee is required to obtain police clearances from countries where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more.
- English language test: Some applicants may need to provide English test results, which have an associated cost.
- Skills assessment: Many skilled occupations require a formal skills assessment, with varying costs depending on the assessing authority.