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Home Grow your Business Business Services Skilled Migration program

Skilled Migration program

Employers can use Australia’s skilled migration program to access skilled overseas workers to fill vacancies in areas with demonstrated skill shortages. There are a number of visa programs available that employers may wish to explore to meet their needs. 

Visa Options for employing overseas workers

As a starting point, employers are encouraged to use the

Visa Comparison Chart

to identify the most appropriate visa option for your business. 

There are three commonly used employer-sponsored visas that allow organisations to sponsor overseas workers into Australia:

  1. Temporary visa: The Temporary Sponsored Business (subclass 457 visa) 
  2. Permanent visa: The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclasses 121/856)
  3. Permanent visa: The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclasses 119/857) 

Processing times for visa applications

Processing times differ between visas. As a general rule, temporary visas are processed more quickly than permanent visas. The Department’s advertised service standards for visa applications are:

  • The Temporary Sponsored Business (subclass 457 visa): 
    2 – 3 months
  • The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclasses 121/856): 
    5 – 8 months
  • The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclasses 119/857): 
    5 – 8 months

More details about other visa processing times are available from DIAC.

There are free checklists available to ensure your applications are ‘decision ready', meaning that your immigration applications will be processed without unnecessary delays. The checklists are available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website or by clicking on the relevant visa link above.

Ai Group Skilled Migration Adviser

A senior government immigration official, Suzanne Gillham, based in our Sydney office, has been placed with Ai Group to assist members with their immigration queries and to help members navigate the often complex immigration processes.

Please click here to read Helpful Publications and Factsheets designed by the Skilled Migration Adviser to assist you.

Suzanne can be contacted on:

Tel:    (02) 9466 5468