Employer-Sponsored Visas

The 482 visa allows employers to address labour shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers where they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian worker. It is the most common "work visa" in Australia.

The three main streams

• Short-term stream: For occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Typically granted for up to two years.
• Medium-term stream: For high-demand occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Granted for up to four years.
• Labour Agreement stream: For employers who have a specific, formal agreement with the government to source talent outside the standard visa programs (often used for niche industries or semi-skilled roles).
• Key 2026 update: All 482 visa holders, regardless of their stream, now have a clear pathway to permanent residency (PR) after two years of working with their sponsoring employer.

This is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. It allows you to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

The two primary pathways

• Direct Entry (DE) stream: For applicants who may not have worked in Australia before but have at least three years of relevant experience and a formal skills assessment. This is "straight to PR."
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream: For workers who have held a 482 visa and worked for their employer for at least two years. The employer then transitions them to permanent status.
• Benefit:As a PR holder, you gain access to Medicare (Australia's healthcare system) and can eventually apply for Australian citizenship.

The 494 visa is designed to help regional employers who cannot find local workers. This visa provides a five-year stay and prioritises processing for businesses located outside major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

• Regional priority: These applications are fast-tracked to support regional economic development.
• PR pathway: After living and working in the regional area for three years on this visa, you become eligible for the Subclass 191 permanent residency visa.
• Employer commitment: The employer must demonstrate that the position is genuine and located in a designated regional area.

A DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a specific regional authority (for example the Northern Territory, Orana, or South West WA).

• Customised lists: DAMAs often include occupations that are not on the standard national skilled lists.
• Concessions: These agreements may offer concessions for the employer and worker, such as lower English language requirements, higher age limits (up to 55), or lower salary thresholds.
• Local focus: It is specifically designed to ensure that unique regional industries—like specialised agriculture or remote mining—have the staff they need to operate.