During shortages of skilled workers, Australian businesses can sponsor workers with the skills they require from other areas. Overseas workers can fill the gaps that are left, but sponsoring them comes with a lot of paperwork and is not to be taken lightly. The rules for bringing overseas workers are strict, but there is a path to do so that can be followed by any who qualify. The sponsor must apply to be a sponsor, providing the occupation and skills that are needed, recruiting the workers that they require from overseas, sponsoring them and assisting with their 494 visa application process, and following all requirements both during application and after.
Approval Requirements
Before any workers can be approached, it is necessary that the employer applies for the standing to be able to recruit workers. The base requirements include being an Australian business that is currently operating within Australia, or they can be a business that is rooted in another country but is operating in Australia or requires workers with the needed skills to open and operate their business there. Training regulations must be followed to ensure the workers are trained appropriately following those regulations.
The requirements to become a sponsor must be a legal business, supplying the number of workers they require and ensuring that they are using only that many; the business must be in good standing with the needed funds to support the workers and meet the obligations set out within the program. On an ongoing basis, the business must continue to meet the training requirements and meet each of the benchmarks that are set for them.
Types of Workers Who Qualify
Only certain occupations will qualify for the sponsorship program, with a pay high enough to support the workers while they are located in the country, equality between local workers and those who have been sponsored, and they must be on the occupation lists. Included occupations are on the short-term skilled occupation list, the medium-term strategic skills list, the long-term strategic skills list, or the regional occupation list.
Businesses that require workers on any of these lists can only qualify to sponsor workers if they are paying the market rate for the position. It must be at minimum the temporary skilled migration income threshold. Working conditions must be maintained with the legal guides and be equal to the working conditions of those who are local employees.
Next Steps
Once each of the requirements is met, and approval has been given for the business to nominate employees, they can begin locating the workers they need. Each potential worker must meet the skill requirements of the position, meet all language requirements, and meet the required health standards with proof that health insurance is in place.
As this employee will only be allowed to work for the sponsoring employer, it is necessary that the job be providing enough income and stability to support the worker for the entirety of their visa.
