Nomination Eligibility - Support Staff for an Entertainer or Group of Entertainers

As a sponsor, you must lodge a nomination.

Nomination requirements

To nominate a position you should:

• have been approved as an entertainment sponsor
  or
• have already lodged an application to become an approved entertainment sponsor.

For a nomination to be approved:

• the nominated position must be to support or assist an entertainer or group of entertainers (whether by assisting performance or by personal services) in relation to a performing contract for one or more specific engagements
• the nominated person should be mentioned in the performing contract between the performer(s) and the sponsor
• the activity will bring a net employment benefit to the Australian entertainment industry
• the sponsor holds any necessary licences in respect of the work to which the nomination relates
• the sponsor has consulted with relevant Australian unions in relation to the employment or engagement of the nominated person in Australia
• itinerary specifying the dates and venues for all performances is provided.

The salary or wages payable to you must be in accordance with Australian labour laws and practices.

If there is no award, and it is not a volunteer position, you must receive at least the minimum federal award rate.

Benefit to Australia

The activity in Australia must bring a net employment benefit to the Australian entertainment industry.

This means there would be a net employment benefit if the undertaking of the activity would lead to greater employment of Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents (or both) than if a person who normally resides in Australia undertook the activity.

Union consultation

You are required to consult with the relevant union in relation to the nominated person's employment or engagement in Australia, unless the engagement is for non-profit purposes. This consultation should be undertaken before you lodge the nomination.

Musicians and conductors
The Musicians Union of Australia (MUA) should be consulted in connection with applications for performing musicians and conductors. The MUA also covers nominations where the application involves vocalists who are part of a band or other musical group and vocalists who are also instrumentalists of any kind.
Email: muaimports@gmail.com
Telephone: 03 9355 7620

All other applications
The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance should be consulted in connection with all other applications.
Email: imports@alliance.org.au
Telephone: 1300 656 513

Supporting documentation

The sponsor must provide the following documentation with their nomination:

• a contract pertaining to the employment between the nominated person and employer
• an itinerary of the engagements specifying dates and venues of performances
• any licences required in respect of the work to which the nomination relates
• evidence that the relevant union has been consulted.

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