Step 3 - Employee Applies for a Visa

When the nomination has been approved, the employee must apply for a permanent visa to work in Australia.

Application charge

There is a non-refundable charge for this application.
See: Fees & Charges

Other Costs

In addition to the application charge you will need to pay for any medical examinations.

You may also be required to pay a charge for obtaining police checks. This charge varies in each country. When required to obtain your own police checks, you are personally responsible for all arrangements.

There may also be other costs associated with the application, such as translating documents into English.

Application checklist

The application checklist details the information and supporting documents that you must provide with your application. Complete applications are likely to be processed more quickly. Incomplete applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.
See: Visa Application Checklist

Information to help you prepare your application

Information about certifying and translating documents, communicating with the department, using a migration agent, authorising another person to receive information from the department, and receiving assistance with your application.
See: Information to Help You Prepare Your Application

How to apply

Complete the application form and attach all necessary documentation.
See: Form 47es Application for employer sponsored migration to Australia (905KB PDF file)

Eligible family members of the employee may apply with the employee or separately. If they apply separately, they must lodge a separate application form and pay a separate application charge.

How and where to lodge

Your application should be lodged with the same departmental centre of excellence in Australia that processed the employer nomination form. You can lodge your application:

• by post
• by courier
• in person (if inside Australia).

See: Centres of Excellence

When lodging applications:

The visa application can be lodged at the same time as the nomination form or within six (6) months of the nomination being approved. It cannot be lodged before the nomination. It is preferred that the visa application is not lodged until the nomination is approved.