What is Employment Sponsorship in Australia?
Do you have a dream to work in Australia? As an employment agency based in Perth, Australia, we would like to inform you about the reality of working in Australia. The Australian government is implementing policies to overcome the shortage of skilled workers by opening up opportunities for skilled overseas workers to work through employment sponsorship in Australia.
What is an employment sponsorship program in Australia? We will explain more about this program and why it is worth it for skilled workers who want to work in Australia.
About the Employment Sponsorship Program
Employment Sponsorship in Australia is a streamlined process whereby an Australian employer can sponsor skilled overseas workers to come to Australia and work for them temporarily or permanently.
Employment sponsorship in Australia has a different scheme and function from employment in general. An employment sponsorship program is facilitated by the employer through sponsorship visas such as:
- Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
In the employment sponsorship program, there is an obligation to nominate an occupation according to the skilled occupation list set by the Australian government. This means that this program only accommodates workers with special skills, and those skills are on the skilled occupation list.
Read more: An Overview of Nominated Occupation in Australiaย
What Are The Main Differences Between Employment Sponsorship Programs And Non-Sponsorship Programs?
Understanding the right employment pathway is an essential first step for those planning a career in Australia. One of the common questions that often arises is: โWhat are the main differences between the employment sponsorship program and the employment pathway without sponsorship?โ
Below, we explain the main differences so you can understand the difference:
Aspect | Sponsorship Program | Without Sponsorship Program |
Visa | Sponsored by the company | Submitted by the workerย |
Corporate Involvement | High: supports worker visa process | Low: only recruit workers who already have a visa |
Worker Flexibility | Limited: tied to sponsor company | High: free to change jobs as long as the visa is valid |
Cost | Most of it is covered by the company | Entirely borne by the worker |
As the table above shows, the employment sponsorship program offers significant advantages for skilled overseas workers who want to work in Australia. The employment sponsorship program makes the process easier for skilled overseas workers because the employer primarily covers the sponsorship visa application process.
Benefits of Employment Sponsorship Program for Skilled Overseas Workers
An employment sponsorship program can be the main option for skilled overseas workers who want to work and live in Australia. This program offers various benefits for skilled workers, including:
1. Employer-Supported Work Visa
With this program, employers support the visa application process. This reduces the administrative and financial burden that workers usually have to bear alone.
2. Job Security and Stability
Employment sponsorship often includes an employment contract that guarantees income, benefits, duration of the worker’s contract and other employee rights. This can encourage stable conditions for workers.
3. Access to Training and Professional Development
The sponsorship program offers training and development opportunities to enhance workers’ skills, aimed at helping workers gain skills relevant to the Australian labour market.
4. Opportunity to Build a Global Career
This program allows workers to gain global experience that can increase competitiveness worldwide.
5. Permanent Residence Opportunities in Australia
Sponsorship programs can be the first step towards permanent residency status, providing long-term benefits such as education, health, social security, and other benefits. Of course, the Australian government has set specific requirements regarding permanent residency status.
Those are some benefits of the employment sponsorship program for skilled workers who want to develop their careers in Australia. Then, let’s learn about eligibility for the employment sponsorship in Australia.
How Can You Be Eligible for the Employment Sponsorship Program?
Getting an employment sponsorship in Australia cannot be achieved instantly. If you are a job seeker who wants to work in Australia through a sponsorship program, you must understand the details of the requirements that have been determined by the Australian government.
Eligibility for employment sponsorship in Australia depends on several factors, including visa type and qualifications. Below, we explain the basic requirements to be eligible for employment sponsorship in Australia:
1. Meet English Language Proficiency Requirements
English language skills are essential to enter the global labour market, one of which is Australia. Meeting the English language proficiency requirements proven by an IELTS/TOEFL certificate or others will make it easier for you as a talent in the visa application process and working in Australia.
2. Be Nominated for a Skilled Position
Working in Australia with a sponsorship program requires you to be talented enough to match the type of occupation with the skilled occupation list set by the Australian government.
Is it possible to work in Australia through sponsorship, but the type of job is not on the occupation list set by the Australian government?
There are two possibilities: First, if your occupation still falls under the category of roles requiring special skills and the responsibilities align with those on the skilled occupation list, but the job title differs, you must nominate your position based on the titles listed on the skilled occupation list.
Secondly, if your type of occupation is not included in the category of occupation with special skills, you cannot work in Australia using a sponsorship visa. However, it does not close your opportunity to work in Australia. You can work using a non-sponsorship work visa.
3. Completing a Skills Assessment
Before you start preparing for your dream job in Australia, it’s essential to understand the importance of skills assessment in the employment sponsorship process.
Why? Because it’s the key to ensuring your skills meet the high standards of the Australian job market, making the pathway to securing a sponsorship visa smoother and more straightforward!
If you are planning to migrate to Australia for work under the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482), a skills assessment is only required for specific occupations and nationalities, as determined by the Australian government’s criteria.
However, if you intend to work in Australia under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) or the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186), a skills assessment is mandatory for all occupations and nationalities.
Those eligibility criteria can make it easier for skilled workers to get sponsorship in Australia. Although the employment sponsorship program scheme makes it easier for skilled workers to work in Australia, many misconceptions exist.ย
If you are one of those who think that all types of occupations can be sponsored, we will provide further education about the employment sponsorship program and correct some misconceptions about employment sponsorship.
Misconceptions About Employment Sponsorship in Australia
Employment sponsorship in Australia provides an excellent opportunity for skilled workers worldwide to gain employment and sometimes reside permanently in Australia. However, there are some misconceptions about the employment sponsorship program. Here is an explanation to help you understand this pathway well:
1. Misconception 1: All Types of Occupations Can Be Sponsored
If you ask whether occupations such as waiter, cleaning service or fruit picker can be sponsored using a sponsorship visa, the answer is no.
Not all occupations in Australia are eligible for sponsorship. Only occupations listed on the skilled occupation list set by the Australian government can be sponsored using a sponsorship visa.
The following are several types of skilled occupation lists in question:
- The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- The Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- The Regional Occupation List (ROL)
Read more: Skilled Occupation List Australia by Australian Government
2. Misconception 2: You Have to Be in Australia to Get Sponsorship
Being offshore is not a barrier to expanding your career in Australia through sponsorship programs. Sponsorship can be obtained even while you are offshore.
You can connect with an employment agency focusing on sponsorship programs like Neurone to get guidance on the offshore employment sponsorship process.
3. Misconception 3: English Proficiency is not Important
English language proficiency is mandatory for most employer-sponsored visas in this increasingly competitive era. English language proficiency is also essential to adapt to the global work environment. So, if you dream of working in Australia, be prepared to prove your English proficiency with an English certificate test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or similar exams.
Read more: The Importance of the IELTS for Worklife in Australiaย
4. Misconception 4: No Skills Needed to Work in Australia
โCan I work in Australia without skills?โ That is one of the questions frequently asked.
Not having the skills to work in a country with a high quality of life is impossible. The Australian job market is very competitive, so having relevant and qualified skills is essential. If you have a strong skill, it will give you a competitive edge and expand your career prospects in Australia.
Australia is also a country with high industry standards. Companies in Australia are not only looking for candidates willing to work but also with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute effectively.
5. Misconception 5: Only Large Enterprises Provide Sponsorships
While large enterprises often have the resources to sponsor employees, small-medium enterprises can also provide sponsorship.
Those are some misconceptions about employment sponsorship programs. For those of you with special skills in high-demand industries in Australia, now is the time to prepare yourself to achieve your dream of working in Australia through sponsorship.
Those who want to try to improve their career in Australia through a sponsorship program can join our global talent pool.
The Future of Employment Sponsorship in Australia
Employment sponsorship will continue to be essential in meeting Australiaโs workforce needs, especially in industries experiencing skills shortages. As opportunities for skilled overseas workers continue to open up, the future of employment sponsorship in Australia promises closer collaboration between employers and skilled overseas workers.
For those aspiring to build a career in Australia, preparing yourself thoroughly and understanding the sponsorship process is an essential first step towards success.
Working in Australia Through Employment Sponsorship with Neurone
Neurone is a Perth-based Employment Agency with years of experience and expertise. Our services assist hundreds of local & international workers securing jobs in Australia. Neurone offers a wide range of opportunities for job seekers to find the best options for their careers.ย
Neurone also partnered with one of the best and most reputable Migration Agencies in Australia. Our programs are designed to ensure all legal paperwork and migration requirements are met and job seekers have the right visa classification for working in Australia.
Neurone is the best place for job seekers who are looking to kick-start their careers on Australian soil. We are ready to assist you in achieving the goals you envisioned. Neurone consultants will cater to job seekers’ needs and will always be ready to assist job seekers through the journey.
Contact us through email at [email protected] or phone at 1300 045 809, or you can send the details here.