This is the most commonly used program for employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis. Employers can be either Australian businesses or overseas businesses.

This visa is for employers who would like to employ overseas workers to fill nominated skilled positions in Australia. With this visa a person can employ overseas workers for a period of between three (3) months and four (4) years. The employees are allowed to work in Australia (period between 3 months and 4 years), they may bring an eligible applicant with them and after entering Australia may travel in and out of the country as much as they like.

As mentioned the visa may be valid for a period of between 3 months and 4 years. However, it must be noted that the sponsorship validity is 2 years and the nomination validity is 12 months.

Employee Requirements:

• Be sponsored by an employer to fill a nominated position
• Have skills, qualifications, experience and an employment background which match those required for the position
• Have English language skills equivalent to an average band score of 4.5 across the four test components in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or higher where required for licensing/registration/membership. You may also be required to demonstrate these skills through a formal test, unless you have been exempted under the regulations.
• Be eligible for any relevant licences or registration required for the nominated position.
• Demonstrate that you are to be paid at least the minimum salary level that applies at the time a decision is made on your visa.
• There are also specific health and character requirements that must be meet.

The process for obtaining a Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa is summarised below.

Employer's Responsibilities:

• apply to be a sponsor to recruit overseas workers
• nominate the positions you want to fill
• recruit the overseas workers to fill your nominated positions
• act as a sponsor for your employees applying for a visa
• cooperate with department's monitoring requirements
• meet costs and other obligations as part of the program
• accepts the offer of employment from the employer
• applies for a visa
• meets all conditions on their visa

For further information regarding this visa or other Australian visas please click here