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 or visa application cannot be considered until the sponsorship application is approved. When you apply for sponsorship you will be applying for the relevant sponsor class to allow you to nominate a person applying for the visa subclass that relates to that class.

Application form

Complete the sponsorship application form and attach all necessary documentation.
See: Form 1377 Application for approval as a temporary residence sponsor ([an error occurred while processing this directive]B PDF file)

Important: If you provide false or misleading information you may have your application refused.

Sponsorship fee

There is a non-refundable fee for applications.
See: Fees and Charges

Sponsorship checklist

The sponsorship document checklist details the documents you will 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 (214KB PDF file)

Information to help prepare your application

More information is available on 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 Prepare Your Application

How and where to apply

You should lodge the sponsorship application, documentation and appropriate fee by post, courier, fax or in person.

The sponsorship applications with any supporting documentation should be lodged in Australia directly with the Adelaide Occupational Trainee Processing Centre.
See: Adelaide Occupational Trainee Processing Centre

After the sponsor lodges an application

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

If your application is approved, the department will send you an approval letter by post or email. This letter will explain the steps they will need to follow to obtain the visa. The sponsor should advise applicant to lodge a visa application as soon as they receive advice that the sponsorship has been approved.

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

You will need to retain your sponsorship approval letter. A copy of the sponsorship approval letter is to be provided to each applicant you nominate to fill a position. The visa applicant will be required to provide, the sponsor approval letter or a receipt that the sponsorship application has been lodged with their visa application. A nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted.

Where do I go next?

See: Step 2 – Sponsoring Organisation Nominates a Position