How do I know if my business is eligible to sponsor?

Question: How do I know if my business is eligible to sponsor?

This is one of the most common questions that employers ask when they enquire about sponsorship, and there seems to be a perception that turnover, profit and the size of the business (number of employees) is important.

While these are important measures in determining business health and growth, they are actually not important when it comes to meeting the 457 Sponsorship requirements to be eligible as an approved sponsor.

The 457 program was designed to enable genuine and actively operating businesses of any size and stage of their business maturity (i.e. new/start-up or established businesses) to sponsor foreign staff if they are having difficulties in hiring locally for some reason.

The most common problems that businesses are experiencing include:

Short supply of skilled locals in their area
Short supply of people (or no people) with specific/unique skills, qualifications or experience in a particular occupation (needed for their business)
Short supply of good employee characteristics such as a person’s ability to be a hardworking, loyal employee

Given these reasons and any other situations that employers face, in trying to hire great staff, businesses have the ability to hire from the global pool of talent available both in Australia and overseas. Businesses that have sought our help to sponsor foreign talent include sole proprietors, small businesses and medium to large enterprises, both private and government.

To determine if your business is eligible to sponsor, here are a few things to consider:

Do you meet the training benchmarks set out by Immigration? Meaning, are you spending enough on up-skilling and training your Australian staff? Or are you making training donations that contribute to your industry as a whole?
Do you have the financial capability to afford new staff hires? It’s all about cash flow (it’s not about profits, turnover and the size of your business)
Do you have a genuine need in your business to hire? In other words, are you a genuine business that is actively operating and in need of skilled workers to meet your business objectives?

When businesses come to us for help, we often find that one or more of the things mentioned have not been properly demonstrated in their documents and evidence. So we help them to meet these requirements by giving them very direct and precise instructions and advice, in order for them to meet the requirements and secure a successful sponsorship approval.

If you think you need help and assistance to get a better understanding of the requirements and process involved, it is best to seek a professional opinion so you don’t have to waste the most valuable commodity in business. Time.

80 comments

WangdiReply May 13, 2021 at 10:44 pm
My employer of the last two years is interested in sponsoring me for 186DE. I work as a software engineer. But one of the agents said that the company’s finances of the last two years are only good enough for 482 visas. The company is an IT security firm with 4 employees but customers are spread throughout Australia and International. Annual turnover of last two year is less than $300k
- VisaOneReply May 18, 2021 at 11:52 am
  Hi Wangdi,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
Amrit BhattaraiReply January 26, 2021 at 6:35 pm
I work in a takeaway shop they want to sponser ne. Is it possible to do so???
- VisaOneReply January 27, 2021 at 6:25 pm
  Hi Amrit Bhattarai,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
TarunReply November 21, 2020 at 4:56 am
I m working with a take away shop,which gives breakfast lunch dinner and mainly snacks. We are just 2 people working there along with our employer. It is a very small take away shop. But my employer wants to sponsor me. I m doing commercial cookery in Perth. Can my employer sponsor me As head chef or his business needs to be big and dine in Restaurant also ?? Please put some light. What requirements are there to sponsor someone from restaurant.
- VisaOneReply November 23, 2020 at 12:10 pm
  Hi Tarun,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
RajniReply November 21, 2020 at 4:40 am
Hi
I m currently in Australia and doing diploma in cookery. I am looking for a restaurant which can sponsor me so what are the requirements of a restaurant to sponsor a student who has done diploma in Australia. Please help.
- VisaOneReply November 23, 2020 at 12:10 pm
  Hi Rajni,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
Mazhar ShaikhReply August 6, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Hi, How do I verify whether my sponsoring Employer is genuine and not a fraud? as I think I being scammed.
- VisaOneReply August 6, 2020 at 6:01 pm
  Hi Mazhar,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
colleenReply July 8, 2019 at 10:47 pm
hi the hospitality company i work for are willimg to sponsor me but my job dosent fall under the skilled list, is there a way around this?
- VisaOneReply July 9, 2019 at 1:20 pm
  Hi Colleen,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
- JoshReply September 30, 2019 at 5:45 pm
  did u find out if there is a way around it? I’m in the same situation.
jesseReply May 30, 2019 at 2:09 pm
How long will it take my garage to be able to become an eligible sponsor ?
- VisaOneReply June 3, 2019 at 1:02 pm
  Hi Jesse,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
VilteReply February 20, 2019 at 10:13 am
Hi, can a Non for profit association, registered in Victoria, sponsor my 482 visa?
- VisaOneReply February 20, 2019 at 11:35 am
  Hi Vilte,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
  - Kelsey YingReply May 30, 2019 at 7:54 pm
    Hi there,
    I am currently work with Guide Dog SA, I have the same question as well. thanks
    - VisaOneReply June 3, 2019 at 1:01 pm
      Hi Kelsey,
      We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
MdjReply February 19, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Hi, I am working in a catering as a chef as well as I am studying Cert 4 in Commercial Cookery and Diploma in hospitality. The catering is owned by Australian. My question is, can my employer sponsor me after my study if I wanted and he wish to. Or, how will he eligible to sponsor his employer?
- VisaOneReply February 20, 2019 at 11:35 am
  Hi Mdj,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
PaulaReply February 6, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Hi, I would like to know if a Painting company with 2 employers can sponsor me. i am the third employer, i’ve been working for this company for more than 6 months and my boss wants to sponsor me, but I am not sure if he can as the company is small. Thank you
- VisaOneReply February 7, 2019 at 11:22 am
  Hi Paula,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
Sreymom pichReply November 26, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Hi
I own a takeaway and cafe dining in Sydney. I’ve employed a foreigner who in charge of all business activities including chef work.
Her husband is a university student and under this visa, she can work full time. As I couldn’t find a suitable person that can take her place, my business is at risk when she returns to her country. I am wondering if my business can sponsor her.
Please contact me through my email.
thank you
Mom
- VisaOneReply November 27, 2018 at 11:08 am
  Hi Mom,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
KatReply October 10, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Hi,
I’m from the Philippines and an employer in australia wanted to sponsor me. Can I get a 407 visa ? And what are the requirements for the employer to see if they are eligible to sponsor? And how much do they need to pay?
- VisaOneReply October 10, 2018 at 3:42 pm
  Hi Kat,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
MatiasReply August 29, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Hi. I work for a Cafe in Sydney and i wanted advice about what requirements they need to have in order to be eligible to sponsor me as a Cafe Manager. Thanks!
- VisaOneReply August 30, 2018 at 1:38 pm
  Hi Matias,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
DhanushReply July 28, 2018 at 11:32 am
Hey , some urgent assistance please – is the 5 Australian employee rule crucial in deciding sponsorship and how long will it take for business to get the sponsorship approval ?
- VisaOneReply July 30, 2018 at 11:25 am
  Hi Danush,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
KJReply June 22, 2018 at 8:58 am
hi,
An employer in Australia wanted to sponsor me. How will a business be eligible to sponsor? How long does the process takes if I will be sponsored to go to Australia.
- VisaOneReply June 22, 2018 at 1:16 pm
  Hi KJ,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
FaithReply May 10, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Hi! I work for a nonprofit childcare centre and they are willing to sponsor me however when my director spoke to a lawyer (informally) about the process, she was told that the ‘stakeholders’ should all agree about the sponsorship and have proof that they couldnt hire locally. My questions are:
1. What documents are needed to prove the justification of my sponsorship
2. Our centre is under a big Uni although independently run by the centre’s board members. Who signs off the sponsorship?
Thanks! Would appreciate the help.
- VisaOneReply May 11, 2018 at 11:45 am
  Hi Faith,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
MarkReply May 4, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Hi,
I am working in a BPO and my australian client wants to sponsor me but got a feedback from their 3rd party HR that it is quite difficult at this time because the business is small and they cannot create a position for me (within the company) that I can apply for sponsorship since it is against the new ruling, Is it true? Is there another way to do it? Another thing is that it has been mentioned to me that the company must apply first to the government to be eligible to sponsor.
I have a feeling that there was a conflict of interest since the company owner that I am currently employed at in my home country is the 3rd party HR of our client in Australia. Hoping for your kind advise. Thank you.
- VisaOneReply May 4, 2018 at 4:21 pm
  Hi Mark,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
MuraliReply April 17, 2018 at 11:05 pm
Hi,
My employer is an australian owned business establishment and willing to sponsor 186 visa for me. He is not sure whether the company is Australian approved sponsorer. Could you please contact me to discuss further on it.
- VisaOneReply April 18, 2018 at 10:55 am
  Hi Murali,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
RickReply April 16, 2018 at 11:47 am
Hi, What type of visa can a relgious organization (non-profit) sponsor me for to get PR?
- VisaOneReply April 17, 2018 at 1:51 pm
  Hi Rick,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
KaReply March 8, 2018 at 3:21 am
How much turnover of company need to sponser the employee ?
As I get a sponser which is resturant with 3 lac turnover and 70 to 80 thiusnd is a profit..
This amount is good to sponser restaurant manager?
- VisaOneReply March 8, 2018 at 11:32 am
  Hi Ka,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
- VisaOneReply March 8, 2018 at 6:00 pm
  Dear Ka,
  Thanks for your enquiry.
  We tried to email you with the given email address, but our email bounced back.
  There is no legal minimum limit for turnover for employer sponsors.
  In your situation, yes those numbers are acceptable.
  What kind of sponsorship are you needing? 457? 186? 187?
Han ChenReply March 5, 2018 at 2:32 pm
hi there,
my partner is currently on spouse visa attached to my student visa, the architecture firm that he works at would like to offer him a sponsorship but they are not sure if they are eligible to do so since it’s not a big firm (22 employees)
would be nice if you can give us some advice.
thanks
- VisaOneReply March 6, 2018 at 1:12 pm
  Hi Han Chen,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
Jodie ClarkeReply February 4, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Hi, a non profit organisation is looking to sponsor me on a 457 visa? Can you advise if this is possible?
- VisaOneReply February 5, 2018 at 11:07 am
  Hi Jodie,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
ValentinaReply February 4, 2018 at 9:29 am
Hello,
Many thanks for this information
I have a question, can a New-Bussiness sponsor someone to start the opening day? This is a Bed and breakfast in which the owners are willing to sponsor me as Manager, but they will open September 2018.
Thanks so much for your help
- VisaOneReply February 5, 2018 at 11:07 am
  Hi Valentina,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
HasnainReply February 3, 2018 at 5:39 pm
Hi,
My name is Hasnain and I am in Australia on a student visa. The place I am working in, is the Australias #1 and well known factory and it wants to sponsor me based on my Skills and the experience I have in past. Could you please help me know the best so that I could cancel my student visa and start working here full time. Please reply, would be appritiated.
Thanks and Regards.
- VisaOneReply February 5, 2018 at 11:08 am
  Hi Hasnain,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
samyReply January 12, 2018 at 11:39 pm
hello my owner is willing to sponsor me he has good company(resturants) around $380000 /year turnover can you please tell me how many people he can sponsor as 187 su
- VisaOneReply January 15, 2018 at 11:43 am
  Hi Samy,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
thomasReply December 8, 2017 at 11:40 am
Can you be sponsored on a 457 visa working for a not for profit
- VisaOneReply December 8, 2017 at 1:23 pm
  Hi Thomas,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
PauletteReply December 8, 2017 at 1:24 am
Hey im looking information on sponsership as my employer is keen to sponsor me im on a working holiday visa at the minute and any help or information would be much appreciated
- VisaOneReply December 8, 2017 at 11:40 am
  Hi Paulette,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
ZackReply December 7, 2017 at 12:30 pm
is the non-profit organisation able to do the 457 visa?
- VisaOneReply December 7, 2017 at 1:17 pm
  Hi Zack,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email :)
MadelynReply April 25, 2017 at 9:08 pm
Hi..Im about to finish my certificate 111 and Cert 4,my boss is very much willing to sponsor me and put me in any position as long as she can sponsor me,the business is doing good and located in a prime malls here in Mebourne…She wants to know how to do the sponsorhip
- VisaOneReply April 26, 2017 at 10:52 am
  Hi Madelyn,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
AdamReply March 15, 2017 at 4:29 pm
Hi
My name is Adam. I work for a panel beater as an accountant. Can he sponsor me either on 457 or 187. Is the business legible ? For sponsoring an Accountant. Thank you
Please note I have only Diploma in Accounting & 3.5 years experience.
- VisaOneReply March 15, 2017 at 6:17 pm
  Hi Adam,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
YuliReply February 26, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Hi, may i know what are the qualifications for a cafe&bar business to be able to sponsor me?and what are the documents and evidence need to be provided from the business? Thank you
- VisaOneReply February 27, 2017 at 11:15 am
  Hi Yuli,
  We have received your enquiries. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email. :)
ManpreetReply January 6, 2017 at 5:34 pm
Hi,
I am currently on students visa which is expiring in mach 2017. A small juice bar owner want to sponsor me. I have studied Master of Accounting. Can a small business like a juice bar can sponsor me? if yes then what is the probability of getting PR in Australia on the basis of this?
Thanks
- VisaOneReply January 9, 2017 at 1:27 pm
  Hi Manpreet,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via
  email.
chrisReply January 4, 2017 at 11:18 pm
Hi im looking to be sponsored by the company im currently working for , but i dont know what i have to do , can you help me ? Thanks.
- VisaOneReply January 5, 2017 at 10:45 am
  Hi chris,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
LuigiReply December 6, 2016 at 10:59 am
Hi,
my employer didn’t apply for nomination PR, for lack of training courses, and my visa expire soon, feb2017.
I already paid my immigration agent in full for the application.
What I can do?
Thank you
- VisaOneReply December 6, 2016 at 1:24 pm
  Hi Luigi,
  We have received and noted your details and questions. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
EricReply November 9, 2016 at 8:13 am
Hi i own a small business and wouldnlike to sponsor a worker. How do i know if my business is elegible to sponsor. Thanks
- VisaOneReply November 9, 2016 at 10:58 am
  Hi Eric,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
khubaibReply November 8, 2016 at 10:43 pm
Hi,
I have a convince store in Rural area and its hard to find staff.
I want to sponsor someone, Can you please guide me
Mob: 0439 366 621
Thanks
- VisaOneReply November 9, 2016 at 10:57 am
  Hi khubaib,
  We have received your enquiry. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
CiaraReply October 12, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I am looking to be sponsored by the company i am currently working for. My Manager is unsure if company has sponsored in the past. How would I check if the business are an approved sponsor?
- VisaOneReply October 12, 2016 at 3:05 pm
  Hi Ciara,
  We have received and noted your details and questions. One of our visa experts will be in touch with you via email.
LisaReply May 17, 2016 at 1:53 pm
The HR department where I work are all quite new to the company and the process. They believe the company has sponsored in the past. How would the business check that they have done this before and if the Sponsorship Eligibility still stands for them and the expiration date of being an approved Sponsor?
I am looking to be sponsored and we belief that they may not have to apply for the Sponsorship phase and can move to the Nomination phase one confirmed.
- VisaOneReply May 18, 2016 at 12:28 pm
  Hi Lisa,
  Thank you for leaving a comment. We have received your enquiry and one of our visa experts will be in touch with you soon. :)