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For sponsored workers

An Australian employer is sponsoring you. Here is what happens next

Short sentences. Plain English. Eight parts. Read them in order, or go straight to the one you need.

See the stepsThe page for employers
Who we areSkyline Migration Lawyers. Australian lawyers. We act for your employer and for you
Your lawyerDeepika Khurana or Sam Kanjo. You can write to us directly
Your privacyYou have your own private folder. Your employer cannot open it
WarningNobody may charge you money for a job or for sponsorship. If someone asks, tell us
Reading comfortYour browser can translate this page. In Chrome, right click and choose Translate.
01In one minute02The steps03Your privacy04Money05Your documents06Your rights at work07Staying in Australia08Questions
01
In one minute

The whole thing in six lines

In short
  • Your employer applies first. Then you apply.
  • We prepare both applications.
  • You send us documents. We tell you exactly which ones.
  1. Your employer has permission to sponsor workers. This is called a labour agreement.
  2. Your employer nominates you for the job. They pay for this. You do not.
  3. You apply for the visa. We fill in every form for you and your family.
  4. You do a health check and give fingerprints if asked. We tell you when and where.
  5. The visa is granted. We explain your visa rules in writing.
  6. You work, and we watch your dates. When you can apply to stay permanently, we tell you.
02
The steps

What you do, and what we do

In short
  • Most of the work is ours.
  • Your main job is documents, and answering us quickly.
  • Never sign or pay anything about your visa without asking us first.

What you do

  • Answer one questionnaire
  • Upload your documents to your private folder
  • Do the skills assessment and English test, if your job needs them
  • Go to the health check when we tell you
  • Tell us if anything changes: passport, address, family, job
  • Reply to our messages within two days if you can

What we do

  • Give you a checklist made for your country and your job
  • Check every document and tell you what is missing
  • Prepare every form for you and your family
  • Lodge the application and answer the Department
  • Tell you and your employer the result on the same day
  • Explain your visa rules in writing
03
Your privacy

What your employer can and cannot see

In short
  • Your health, police and family records are private.
  • Your employer sees only which step you are at.
  • We ask you before we share anything.
InformationYour employer sees it
Which step you are atYes
Your job, pay and contractYes
Your visa grant and work rulesYes
Your health check resultsNo
Your police certificatesNo
Your family and relationship documentsNo
Your bank statementsNo

We act for you and for your employer. That is allowed because you both want the same thing: the visa. You each agree in writing. If a real disagreement ever starts between you and your employer, we tell you both and we do not take sides.

04
Money

What you may pay, and what you must never pay

In short
  • Never pay anyone for a job or for sponsorship. It is against the law.
  • Your employer pays for the nomination and the training levy.
  • Your own visa charge and tests may be paid by you or by your employer.
CostWho pays
Nomination charge and the Skilling Australians Fund levyYour employer. Always. It cannot be taken from your pay
Lawyer’s fee for the sponsorship and nominationYour employer. Always
Visa application charge (482: $4,015. 494: $6,140. Family members are extra)You or your employer, as agreed in writing
Skills assessment, English test, health check, police certificatesUsually you
Health insurance, if your visa needs itUsually you

Charges from the Department of Home Affairs website, checked 21 September 2026. If an employer, agent or recruiter asks you to pay for sponsorship, or takes money from your wages for it, tell us. You will not get in trouble for telling us.

05
Your documents

What to get ready

In short
  • Phone photos are fine to start.
  • Tick what you already have.
  • We send you a list made for you. This one is a guide.

Your list 0 of 10

06
Your rights at work

The same pay and conditions as an Australian

In short
  • Your pay cannot be lower than the amount in your nomination.
  • Your conditions cannot be worse than an Australian doing the same job.
  • You may only work in the job you were nominated for, for your sponsor.
  1. You must have a written contract. Keep a copy. Send us a copy.
  2. Keep your payslips. Every one. You will need them for permanent residence.
  3. Work only in your nominated job. If your employer asks you to do a different job, tell us first.
  4. You have the same workplace rights as everyone in Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman helps visa holders for free, and asking for help does not cancel your visa.
  5. If you ask in writing, your employer must pay reasonable travel costs for you to leave Australia.
07
Staying in Australia

Your path to permanent residence

In short
  • 482 visa: your employer may nominate you for a permanent visa after two years.
  • 494 visa: you may apply for a permanent visa yourself after three years.
  • We count the days for you.

Keep working for your sponsor

The time only counts while you work for your sponsor, in your nominated job, in the region named in your visa.

Keep your records

Payslips, tax returns, your contract and any changes to it. Put them in your folder as you go.

Tell us about changes

A new passport, a new address, a baby, a marriage, a separation. Small things matter. Tell us within a week.

08
Questions

What workers ask us first

In short
  • Your employer pays for sponsorship. Not you.
  • Your private documents stay private.
  • If you lose your job, tell us the same day.
Do I pay Skyline, or does my employer?

Your employer pays for everything to do with the sponsorship and the nomination. The law says that cost cannot be passed to you. The cost of your own visa application can be paid by you or by your employer. You will be told which, in writing, before anything starts.

Can my employer see my medical results or police certificate?

No. Those go in your private folder. Your employer sees which step you are at, and anything about the job itself. Nothing else.

Can my family come with me?

Usually yes. Your husband, wife or partner and your children can be included in your application, or added later. Each family member has their own visa charge and needs health and police checks.

What if I lose my job?

On a Skills in Demand 482 visa, if you stop working for your sponsor you have up to 180 days to find a new employer to sponsor you, or to make other arrangements, or to leave Australia. Tell us straight away. Do not wait.

Can I change employer?

Yes, but the new employer must nominate you first, and it must be approved. Do not start work for a new employer until we tell you it is safe.

Can I become a permanent resident?

For most people, yes. After two years working for your sponsor on a 482 visa under a DAMA, your employer may nominate you for the permanent 186 visa. On a 494 visa you may apply for the permanent 191 visa after three years. We track your date from the first day.

Questions about your own case?

Write to us in simple English. We answer in simple English. If your employer is already our client, tell us their name.

Email us+61 3 8108 8748

General information only, not legal advice. Visa rules and charges were checked on the Department of Home Affairs website on 21 September 2026 and change from time to time.

Skyline Migration Lawyers

An Australian legal practice.
Deepika Khurana, Principal Lawyer
Ossama Kanjo, Migration Lawyer

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CONTACT

470 St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004

03 8108 8748
info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au

The information on this website is general information only. It is not legal advice and it does not take your circumstances into account. Migration law changes frequently. Please obtain advice from Skyline Migration Lawyers before acting or applying. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

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