Apply for
Standard Business Sponsor
The first step for businesses to be eligible for sponsoring workers under the Temporary Skills Shortage.
.avif)

Standard Business Sponsor
Sponsor an Overseas Worker
Become an approved sponsor and hire skilled workers from overseas to meet your business needs.
Benefits of Sponsorship
As a sponsor, you gain access to a broader pool of skilled workers to help your business thrive.
Eligibility Requirements
A business must meet specific criteria to become a standard business sponsor, including demonstrating its ability to meet obligations under Australian immigration law.
Compliance Obligations
Sponsors must comply with all relevant laws, including ensuring the employee’s work conditions are met and keeping records.
Proof your business is legally established
ABN certificate (Australian employer) or ARBN certificate (overseas business registered in Australia), or overseas registration evidence (if not operating in Australia)ASIC Business Names Details extract (if you have a registered business/trading name)ASIC company extract (ACN details) or ASX listing (if applicable)If applicable: trust deed (signature + parties pages), franchise, or joint venture documents (apply in the trustee’s name if it’s a trust)
Proof you are currently operating
Larger/established business: profit & loss statements and most recent annual report
Small/recent business: most recent tax return, recent BAS, recent bank statements
New business: business plan + contracts to provide services + bank statements covering operating period (and optionally: sale contract, lease, staff employment evidence, BAS for each completed quarter)
If not yet operating in Australia
Evidence of intention/obligation to set up (e.g., expansion plan, joint venture agreement, or a contract with an Australian party)
For Standard Business Sponsor
The sponsoring business must be a legally recognised entity in Australia, including:• Sole trader• Partnership• Proprietary company• Public company• Government department• Statutory authority• Not-for-profit organisation• Educational institution
The business must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia, with evidence such as business registration, financial activity, and compliance with Australian laws.
There must be no adverse information known to the Department of Home Affairs about the business or any person associated with the business (e.g. directors, partners).
We’re in Our Clients’ Hearts
Excellence speaks for itself—our clients’ emotions tell the story.
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
A Standard Business Sponsor is an Australian business that has been formally approved by the Department of Home Affairs to sponsor skilled workers for temporary or permanent work visas. To qualify, the business must demonstrate that it is lawfully operating in Australia and capable of fulfilling its sponsorship obligations. This includes providing evidence of genuine operational needs, an appropriate organisational structure, and the ability to comply with visa conditions such as paying the nominated salary and meeting employment standards.
Becoming an approved Standard Business Sponsor allows your business to nominate an overseas skilled worker for an eligible role under the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) and, where applicable, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)—helping you fill critical positions when you can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker, by accessing a wider pool of suitably skilled candidates (Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs guidance).
Once approved as a sponsor, the business is responsible for maintaining compliance with its sponsorship obligations. This includes notifying the Department of Home Affairs of any significant changes within the business, such as alterations to job roles, business address, or employment terms. Additionally, the sponsor must ensure that the nominated employee complies with visa conditions throughout their stay in Australia, including maintaining the correct working hours, job duties, and salary levels.
No. The business can only nominate employees for sponsorship who meet the specific eligibility criteria for the relevant visa program, which includes matching the occupation and skills requirements for the position. Additionally, the business must be able to demonstrate that the position requires overseas talent and that local candidates were not available to fill the role.
The application process requires the business to provide evidence that it is lawfully operating in Australia, has the capacity to meet sponsorship obligations, and is offering a genuine skilled position where an appropriately skilled Australian worker cannot be found. The application is lodged online, and the business must demonstrate its financial capacity, operating history, and ability to comply with ongoing sponsorship responsibilities. Once approved, the business can begin nominating skilled workers—and Knowbal can support you end-to-end, from preparing the sponsor application and compliance evidence to lodging the application and assisting with the nomination process.
Failure to meet sponsorship obligations can result in severe consequences, including the revocation of sponsorship status, fines, or being barred from sponsoring employees in the future. Non-compliance with employment conditions, such as not paying the required salary or not notifying the Department of changes in the business structure, can lead to penalties. In severe cases, it can also affect the business’s ability to sponsor workers for future visas.
Once approved, the Standard Business Sponsor status is typically valid for five years. During this period, the business can nominate employees for eligible work visas. If the business continues to meet its obligations, it can apply for renewal before the expiry of the five years to maintain the ability to sponsor skilled workers.
Still Curious?


Book a call with our Expert



We will provide you full PR pathway, does not matter how complex your case is. Just fill out the enquiry form here!














.avif)


.avif)











.avif)










.avif)



