Sponsor Eligibility

An organisation needs to be approved as an exchange sponsor in order to employ skilled workers from overseas. The following requirements must be met for an organisation to become a sponsor.

Lawfully operating in Australia

The organisation or government agency must be lawfully established and actively operating in Australia.

An organisation can include a body corporate or unincorporated body (other than an individual or a sole trader).

A government agency includes an agency of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.

A new organisation may be considered if there is clear evidence of intention to establish the business.

Exchange agreement

To nominate overseas workers the Australian organisation or government agency must have an exchange agreement in place with a reciprocating organisation overseas.

Good business record

To meet this requirement:

• there must be nothing adverse known about the organisation
• if the organisation has previously sponsored overseas workers to Australia, they must have a satisfactory record of complying with Australian laws
• the activities of the organisation must not be illegal in Australia.

Capacity to comply with their sponsorship obligations

The sponsor must have the capacity to comply with sponsorship obligations.
See: Sponsor Obligations

Renewing sponsorship

A sponsor may be approved for up to three years. To continue to employ people from overseas the sponsor will need to reapply before their sponsor approval ceases.
See: Applying for this Visa

 

Before lodging an application, please read all related eligibility requirements.
See: Other eligibility