If you are an employer interested in sponsoring the visa of a worker, than you have quite a list to get through. We’ve simplified the process and outlined everything you need to know below.
In order to sponsor a visa for an overseas trained healthcare professional to work in Australia, there are certain criteria an employer must meet. The basics are that the business is operating lawfully and there is no relevant adverse information existing against the business. Businesses must also demonstrate a commitment to employing local labour and show evidence of non-discriminatory recruitment practices.
The occupation you wish to sponsor must be listed on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List, if not you may wish to consider a Labour Agreement as an option for how to sponsor a visa. This is a formal agreement between an Australian employer and the Australian government to recruit a specified number of skilled workers on a temporary or permanent basis and will only be considered to sponsor an employee if a genuine skills shortage exists and there are no suitably qualified or skilled Australians available to fill the role.
When researching how to sponsor an employee for a work visa it is important to note that there are various employer sponsored visa programs available and different ways an employer can become an approved sponsor for work visas. The most common way how is to apply to be a standard business sponsor and sponsor a skilled worker using the subclass 457 visa program. This Temporary Work (Skilled) visa allows a skilled worker entry into Australia to work in their nominated occupation for you as the approved sponsor for up to four years.
Healthcare professionals may also be eligible for a subclass 186 visa under the Employer Nomination Scheme if they have been nominated by an approved Australian employer and meet certain other requirements. This visa is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa program and involves firstly nomination by an approved Australian employer and then an application under the nominated stream. Subclass 187 visas fall under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia under the Direct Entry stream.
For more information on how to sponsor an employee, contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection who administers all sponsorship applications for employers. If you would like assistance with finding the right talent for your organisation, fill out our Employer Enquiry Form.