Work for an Australian employer on a 482 or 494 and move to permanent residence through the 186 or 191. We also help you find an employer open to sponsorship.
Reviewed by Vineet Sethia, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217785) · Updated November 2026. General information only, not migration advice.
The employer sponsored pathway has two stages. On the Skills in Demand visa (482) you work for your sponsoring employer for up to 4 years. After about 2 years of full time work, your employer can nominate you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (186). Overall it usually takes about 3.5 to 5 years from the start of the process to permanent residence.
A temporary work visa for up to 4 years. You work only for your sponsor, in the nominated occupation. It involves three applications: sponsorship, nomination and visa.
A 5 year provisional visa for working for a sponsoring employer in regional Australia.
Permanent residence through employer nomination, in the Temporary Residence Transition or Direct Entry stream.
A temporary visa for workplace based occupational training to improve your skills in your occupation or field.
Finding an employer willing to sponsor you is the hardest part of this pathway. Rather than only teaching you where to look, we actively work to connect you with Australian employers who are open to sponsorship, whether you are onshore or overseas.
No one can honestly guarantee a sponsoring employer, and we would be cautious of anyone who does. The final hiring and sponsorship decision always rests with the employer.
Book a consultation to find out which level of support suits you.
All advice and every application is handled by a MARA registered agent, with a fixed fee agreed in writing.
We confirm which employer sponsored pathway fits your occupation and experience.
We help you find an employer, or prepare sponsorship and nomination with the employer you have.
We lodge your 482 or 494, then plan and lodge your move to permanent residence.
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Yes. Many 482 visa holders are hired from overseas. Our Employer Sponsorship Assistance helps both onshore and offshore candidates with strategy, CV and direct employer outreach.
By law the employer must pay the sponsorship fee, nomination fee and Skilling Australians Fund levy, and cannot pass them on to the worker. The worker usually pays their own visa application charge, unless the employer chooses to cover it.
You usually need about 2 years of full time work on the 482 before the 186. Including processing, the whole path commonly takes about 3.5 to 5 years.
There is no age limit for the 482 visa. For the 186 permanent visa, applicants usually need to be under 45, with some exceptions.
No. No service can honestly guarantee one. We guarantee a real strategy and active outreach; the final hiring and sponsorship decision always rests with the employer.
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can usually be included in your application and can live, work and study in Australia.
Take our free eligibility check and see which Australian visa pathways may be open to you.
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