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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Specialist Entry

Step 1 - Organisation Applies to be a Sponsor


This page outlines the steps required for an organisation to apply to be an approved sponsor. A nomination cannot be considered until the sponsorship application is approved.

Application form

As the sponsor, you should complete the sponsorship application form.
See: Form 1377 Application for approval as a temporary residence sponsor (252KB PDF file)

Sponsorship checklist

The sponsorship document checklist details the documents you need to provide with your sponsorship application. Complete applications are likely to be processed more quickly. Incomplete applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.
See: Sponsorship Document Checklist ( 55KB PDF file)

Sponsorship fee

There is a non-refundable fee for this application.
See: Specialist Entry Visa Charges

How and where to apply

The application must be lodged as specified below. An application lodged in any other way will be returned to you.

How your sponsor lodges the applications Where to lodge
Post DIAC Sydney Entertainment Processing Centre (SEPC)
PO Box 9984
Sydney NSW 2001
Courier DIAC Sydney Entertainment Processing Centre (SEPC)
Level 3, 26 Lee Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Fax +61 2 8861 4301

After the sponsor lodges the application

The sponsorship will be considered by the department. In some cases the sponsor may be asked to provide additional information to enable a decision to be made.

If the sponsorship is approved, the department will send the sponsor an approval letter by post or email. The sponsorship approval letter must be retained. A copy of the sponsorship approval letter is to be provided to each applicant the sponsor nominates to fill a position. The visa applicant will be required to provide, with their visa application, the sponsor approval letter or a receipt that the sponsorship application has been lodged. A nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted.

If the sponsorship is not approved, the department will send the sponsor a refusal letter by post or email advising of the decision, reasons for the decision and information about any review rights.

Where should I go now?

See: Step 2 - Sponsor Nominates a Position