Sponsor Eligibility

An organisation, government agency, foreign government agency or eligible individual is required to be approved as an entertainment sponsor in order to sponsor entertainers from overseas. The following requirements must be met to become an approved sponsor.

The sponsoring organisation, agency or eligible individual must be one of the following:

• an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen who is usually resident in Australia
• an organisation operating in Australia
• a government agency
• a foreign government agency.

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, partnership or unincorporated body (other than an individual or a sole trader).
A new organisation may be considered if there is clear evidence of intention to establish the business.
A government agency includes an agency of the Commonwealth or of a state or territory operating in Australia.

A foreign government agency includes:

• organisations conducted under the official auspices of a foreign national government and operating in Australia, including overseas tourist and media bureaus, trade offices and other foreign government entities
• a foreign diplomatic or consular mission in Australia
• organisations conducted under the official auspices of a recognised international organisation, such as the United Nations.

Good business record and abide by Australian laws

To meet this requirement:

• there must be nothing adverse known about the organisation, an agency or eligible individual
• if the organisation, agency or eligible individual has previously sponsored overseas workers to Australia, they must have a satisfactory record of complying with Australian laws
• the activities of the organisation, agency or eligible individual 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

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