Step 2 - Apply for Sponsorship

If the appropriate regional authority considers you will meet the requirements for this visa, you will be invited to apply for sponsorship.

Complete and send the sponsorship form to the relevant State/Territory authority.
See: Form 949 State/Territory Sponsorship - Business Skills Class (145KB PDF file)

For address details of the State/Territory authorities
See: Business Development Sponsorship

Visa decision

If the visa is approved
The department will advise you (or your authorised recipient). A Regional Established Business in Australia visa (subclass 846) will be granted.

If the visa is not approved
The department will advise you (or your authorised recipient) in writing of the reasons for that decision and if the decision is reviewable by the Migration Review Tribunal.

Visa processing times

The processing times below apply to applications lodged with complete documentation.

Processing times vary depending on 'high risk' or 'low risk' country requirements. Low risk countries are Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) eligible. High risk countries are those not on the ETA list.
See: www.eta.immi.gov.au

75% of Business Skills applications should be finalised within:

• 9 months, if the applicant is from a low risk country; or
• 15 months, if the applicant is from a high risk country.

Note: The service standards are a target only, that is, individual cases may take longer than the service standard depending on the caseload of the office concerned, the complexity of the case etc.

More information

If you have read all the information, and still have an enquiry.
See: More information