Employer Sponsored Visa Melbourne | 482 TSS & 186 ENS Specialist

Expert employer sponsored visa services in Melbourne for subclass 482 (Skills in Demand/TSS) and 186 (ENS). MARA-registered agents helping employers sponsor workers and employees gain PR. SAF levy guidance included.

MARA No. 1569835
Employer Sponsorship Experts

Employer Sponsored Visa Services in Melbourne

As Melbourne's expert employer sponsored visa specialists, we assist both skilled workers seeking employer sponsorship and Melbourne businesses wanting to sponsor overseas talent. Our MARA-registered migration agents (No. 1569835) provide comprehensive guidance on the subclass 482 visa (Skills in Demand, formerly TSS - Temporary Skill Shortage) and subclass 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme/ENS) for permanent residency. Whether you're a chef, IT professional, engineer, manager, or tradesperson in Melbourne, we can help you secure employer sponsorship or guide your business through the sponsorship process.

The employer sponsored visa pathway is one of the most popular routes to Australian permanent residency, especially in Melbourne's diverse job market. The 482 visa allows skilled workers to work in Australia for up to 4 years for an approved sponsor, with full work rights and access to Medicare. After 3 years on a 482 visa, eligible workers can transition to the permanent 186 visa (ENS) through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. Our Melbourne employer visa agents help navigate the complex requirements including labour market testing, Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, minimum salary thresholds ($73,150 in 2025), and nomination processes.

Our employer sponsored visa services in Melbourne include employer sponsorship approval, labour market testing compliance, position nomination applications, SAF levy calculation and guidance, visa application preparation for employees, 482 to 186 transition planning, and ongoing compliance support. We serve employers and employees across Melbourne CBD, St Kilda, and all Victoria suburbs with bilingual support in English and Chinese.

Employer Sponsor Visa Options

Employer-sponsored pathways for skilled workers

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)

A temporary visa allowing skilled workers to work in Australia for an approved sponsor for up to 4 years. Can lead to permanent residency.

  • Work for approved sponsor
  • Up to 4 years duration
  • Pathway to permanent residency

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

A permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by their employer. Allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.

  • Permanent residency
  • Work for nominating employer
  • Pathway to citizenship

Labour Agreement Stream

For workers sponsored under a labour agreement between an employer and the Australian Government. Tailored to specific industry needs.

  • Negotiated terms
  • Industry-specific pathways
  • Flexible requirements

Quick Comparison

Temporary (482)Permanent (186)Agreement (482)
Duration2-4 yearsPermanent4 years
Pathway to PR
Work rightsSponsor onlyUnrestrictedSponsor only
Processing3-6 months6-12 months3-6 months

Employer Sponsored Visa Fees 2025 - Complete Cost Breakdown

Australian employer sponsored visa fees effective July 1, 2025

Important: Employer vs Employee Costs

Employer sponsored visas involve costs for BOTH the employee (visa application fees) and the employer (sponsorship, nomination, and SAF levy). Below we clearly separate these costs for transparency.

Subclass 482 - Skills in Demand (TSS) - Temporary Visa

Up to 4 years duration

Employee Pays (Visa Fees)

Main applicant$3,210
Partner (18+)$3,210
Child (<18)$805

Additional costs per person:

  • Health exam: $300-600
  • Biometrics: ~$300
  • Police checks: varies

Employer Pays

Sponsorship fee (one-time)$420
Nomination fee$330

SAF Levy (per year)

Turnover <$10M

$1,200/yr

SAF Levy (per year)

Turnover $10M+

$1,800/yr

482 Visa Total Cost Examples

Single Employee + Small Business (<$10M)

Employee visa fee:$3,210
Employer fees:$750
SAF levy (4 years):$4,800
Total:$8,760

Couple + 1 Child + Large Business ($10M+)

Employee visas:$7,225
($3,210 + $3,210 + $805)
Employer fees:$750
SAF levy (4 years):$7,200
Total:$15,175

Note: SAF levy is $1,200/year for businesses under $10M turnover, $1,800/year for $10M+

Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) - Permanent Visa

Permanent residency pathway

Employee Pays (Visa Fees)

Main applicant$4,910
Partner (18+)$2,455
Child (<18)$1,230

Additional costs per person:

  • Health exam: $300-600
  • Biometrics: ~$300
  • Police checks: $50-200
  • Skills assessment (Direct Entry): $500-1,500

Employer Pays (One-Time)

Nomination fee$540

SAF Levy

Turnover <$10M

$3,000

SAF Levy

Turnover $10M+

$5,000

Note: SAF levy is one-time payment for permanent 186 visa (vs. annual for temporary 482)

186 Visa Total Cost Examples

Single Employee + Small Business

Employee visa:$4,910
Nomination:$540
SAF levy:$3,000
Total:$8,450

Family of 3 + Large Business ($10M+)

Employee visas:$8,595
($4,910 + $2,455 + $1,230)
Nomination:$540
SAF levy:$5,000
Total:$14,135

What is the SAF Levy (Skilling Australians Fund)?

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a mandatory training contribution paid by employers to fund training for Australian workers. This levy is paid by the sponsoring employer, NOT the visa applicant.

Temporary Visa (482)

Annual SAF (<$10M):$1,200/year
Annual SAF ($10M+):$1,800/year

Paid annually for each year of visa validity (e.g., 4-year visa = 4 × $1,200 = $4,800)

Permanent Visa (186)

One-time SAF (<$10M):$3,000
One-time SAF ($10M+):$5,000

One-time payment only (not annual)

Minimum Salary Requirements 2025

Core Skills (482/186)

$73,150

per year

Specialist Skills (482)

$135,000

per year

Labour Agreement

$76,515

per year

TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold) - salaries must meet Australian market rates

Pathway to Permanent Residency: 482 to 186

How temporary employer sponsorship leads to permanent residency

1

482 TSS Visa

Temporary (up to 4 years)

Cost: ~$8,760

(small business, 4 years)

2

Work 3 Years

Same employer, same role

Requirement

Salary: $73,150+

3

186 ENS Visa

Permanent Residency

Cost: ~$8,450

(small business)

Citizenship

After 4 years on PR

Australian Citizen

Total Pathway Cost: ~$17,210 (482 + 186 for single applicant, small business over ~7 years to citizenship)

Employer Sponsored Visa Requirements

Approved Sponsor

Your employer must be an approved sponsor or apply for sponsorship approval. They must demonstrate genuine need for the position.

Nomination

Your employer must nominate you for a position that matches your skills and qualifications. The position must meet salary and conditions requirements.

Skills and Experience

Have the skills, qualifications, and work experience required for the nominated position. May require skills assessment.

English Language

Meet English language requirements appropriate to the visa stream and occupation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common concerns about employer sponsorship

Ready to Explore Employer Sponsorship?

We help both employers and employees navigate the sponsorship process