The subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa is the most common temporary visa that allows work in Australia.
It allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved business for up to four years.
The applicant must be sponsored by an approved business.
It is also considered a pathway to permanent residency, as applicants may be eligible to apply for a permanent visa after two years with the same employer.
Applications for this visa can be lodged from within or outside Australia.
The process for visa applicants choosing the SBS type includes the following steps:
1. The sponsoring company applies for approval as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS);
2. The sponsoring company applies for approval of the nominated position; and
3. The prospective employee applies for a subclass 457 visa to fill the nominated role with the nominated sponsor.
If you are considering working in Australia, contact us today on 0390 418 743 to speak to a Registered Migration Agent and take advantage of a free consultation.
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) is for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia. This visa involves a two-step process, firstly, nomination by an approved Australian employer and then an application under the nominated stream. It is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa program. It is similar to the subclass 457 visa only that this is a permanent resident visa.
The visa has three streams of which an applicant will have to choose on of:
1. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for two years, while holding a subclass 457 visa, in the same occupation with their nominating employer (who has lodged a valid nomination with us under the Temporary Residence Transition stream), who wants to offer them a permanent position in that occupation.
2. The Direct Entry stream is for:
A. People who have been nominated by their employer under the Direct Entry stream;
B. People who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia;
C. Temporary residents who do not qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition stream;
The Agreement stream is for people nominated by an employer through a labour agreement.
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) is often described as the second step toward permanent residency coming from a subclass 457 visa. This visa involves a two-step process, firstly, nomination by an approved Australian employer and then an application under the nominated stream. It is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa program. This visa is a permanent residence visa.
The visa has three streams:
1. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for two years, while holding a subclass 457 visa, in the same occupation with their nominating employer who wants to offer them a permanent position in that occupation.
2. The Direct Entry stream is for:
People who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia; and
Temporary residents who do not qualify for the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
3. The Agreement stream is for people sponsored by an employer through a labour agreement.
More information is available in the SkillSelect booklet (500KB PDF).