Accredited Sponsorship
An Accredited Business Sponsorship is a special status granted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to eligible employers who demonstrate a strong history of compliance with sponsorship obligations and a commitment to employing overseas skilled workers responsibly.
This status is available to sponsors of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) and provides several benefits designed to streamline the visa process.
Benefits of being an accredited sponsor, in addition to the priority processing of visa applications and nominations, have the ability to advertise positions on their website; 482 visa applicants are not required to provide police clearance certificates if the sponsoring employer can attest to their good character. This significantly reduces processing times.
Key Features of Accredited Sponsorship
1. Priority Processing
- Accredited sponsors benefit from faster processing times for nomination and visa applications, reducing delays in hiring skilled overseas workers
2. Reduced Evidentiary Requirements
- Accredited sponsors may be required to provide less evidence for certain aspects of the visa application, such as labour market testing or financial viability.
3. Trusted Status
- The accredited status reflects the sponsor’s high level of compliance and reliability, which can enhance the sponsor’s reputation among prospective employees.
Eligibility Criteria for Accredited Sponsorship
To achieve accredited status, a business must already be an approved Standard Business Sponsor and meet additional criteria, such as:
1. Strong Record of Compliance
- A demonstrated history of adhering to Australian immigration laws and sponsorship obligations.
- No adverse information recorded against the business.
2. High Volume of Visa Sponsorship
- Typically, businesses must have sponsored a significant number of overseas workers within the past two years.
3. Large, Established Business
- Businesses must meet certain benchmarks, such as turnover thresholds or employee numbers, depending on their industry and category.
Categories of Accreditation
The Department of Home Affairs recognises different categories of accredited sponsorship based on the type and size of the business. These categories include:
1. Commonwealth, State, and Territory Government Agencies
- with Australian workers making up at least 75% of your workforce in Australia
2. Australian Trusted Traders
- with Australian workers making up at least 75% of your workforce in Australia
- have a written contract of employment for all TSS 482 visa holders that meet the National Employment Standards (unless their occupation is exempt from this requirement)
- have paid all Australian employees in accordance with an Enterprise Agreement or an internal salary table that reflects the current market salary rates for all occupations in your business
3. Low Volume Usage & High Percentage of Australian Workers
- with Australian workers making up at least 85% of your workforce in Australia
- have at least one approved nomination for a TSS 482 visa holder in the last year
- have had more than 97% of your nomination applications approved in the last year
- Have Australian workers comprising at least 75% of their workforce in Australia
- have an annual turnover of at least AUD 4M for the last two years
- have been a standard business sponsor for at least one year
4. High Volume & Medium Percentage of Australian Workers
- with Australian workers making up at least 75% of your workforce in Australia
- have at least ten approved nominations for a TSS 482 visa holder in the last two years
- have had more than 97% of your nomination applications approved in the last two years
- have an annual turnover of at least AUD 4m for the last two years
- have been a standard business sponsor for at least two years
Obligations of Accredited Sponsors
Accredited sponsors must continue to meet the general obligations of a Standard Business Sponsor, which include:
- Ensuring terms and conditions of employment for sponsored workers are equivalent to those for Australian workers
- Covering travel costs for the sponsored employee to leave Australia if their employment ends
- Keeping records of compliance with sponsorship obligations
- Reporting significant changes in employment or sponsorship arrangements to the Department of Home Affairs
Benefits to Accredited Sponsors
1. Faster Onboarding: Priority processing allows businesses to fill critical roles more quickly
2. Administrative Efficiency: Reduced paperwork simplifies compliance and application processes
3. Attraction of Skilled Workers: Accreditation signals trustworthiness, making the sponsor more attractive to highly skilled candidates
Accredited sponsorship is a valuable designation for businesses seeking to employ overseas skilled migrants regularly. It reflects a high level of trust and compliance, ensuring smoother operations and a competitive edge in securing global talent.
How We Can Help
At Migration Downunder, we offer comprehensive support to help your business achieve accredited sponsorship status. We begin by assessing your business’s eligibility and providing a clear, detailed evaluation of your chances of success. If you choose to engage our services, we’ll guide you through every step of the process – from collecting and organising the necessary documentation to preparing and submitting your application. We also handle communication with the Department of Home Affairs and any relevant third parties, ensuring a seamless and efficient application experience.