The employer sponsorship programme gives participants a number of different visa alternatives to choose from. By participating in this initiative, Australian companies have the opportunity to propose highly qualified people from other countries to fill positions that cannot be filled locally.

Under this programme, some of the visa categories that are granted the most frequently are as follows:

Employer Nomination Scheme visa

Direct Entry Stream

To be qualified for this visa subclass, an applicant must have a competent level of English, their occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupations list, and their Australian employer must recommend them for the visa. The candidates are granted permission to work and reside in Australia indefinitely if they are granted a visa.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

This visa subclass is available to applicants who have been nominated by their employer, have previously had a 457, TSS, or a similar bridging visa A, B, or C, and have worked full-time for their employer for at least three years.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa

Direct entry stream

This visa category is open to applicants who have been recommended by their prospective employer to live and work in a regional area of Australia. Additionally, the applicant needs to demonstrate that they have a competent level of English proficiency and that their occupation is included on the appropriate list of skilled occupations.

Temporary Skill Shortage

An employer may be eligible to sponsor a properly skilled worker under this subclass if the function is one that cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Under this subclass, there are primarily four different streams:

• An applicant may stay in Australia for up to two years under the Short-term stream, or up to four years if the International Trade duty applies. The occupation has to be on the list of jobs requiring short-term skilled workers.
• Under the medium-term stream, an applicant may be permitted to remain in Australia for up to four years. Either the Medium and Long-term Strategic List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL) must include the occupation in question (ROL)
• Labour agreement stream: This visa is designed specifically for skilled workers who have been nominated by a company that is in possession of a Labour Agreement. The applicant will be able to stay in Australia for up to four years if they are granted this visa.
• Subsequent Entrant: This visa is for family members of applicants who already have subclass 457 and TSS visas and who are applying independently for their own visas.