Visa and Services For Employers

At Green Wings Migration, our Registered Migration Agents can help your business navigate visa options to sponsor skilled professionals in Australia. Contact one of our agents today!

Corporate

Services for Businesses

SBS

Standard Business Sponsor

Standard Business Sponsorship enables employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to work in Australia, subject to meeting eligibility and compliance requirements. Approved sponsors must meet ongoing obligations, including reporting changes to Home Affairs, monitoring employment conditions, and maintaining accurate records.

Key Requirements

Be legally established and actively operating in Australia
Have no adverse information about the business or its principals unless it is deemed reasonable to disregard it
Demonstrate a genuine need for visa sponsorship
Have a strong record hiring locally before seeking overseas talent
Demonstrate a commitment to training Australian citizens or permanent residents

Report changes to Home Affairs

This is essential and includes notifying Home Affairs of any changes to business or employment circumstances, such as insolvency, company restructuring, or the cessation of employment of a sponsored worker.

Monitoring Conditions

Sponsors must ensure visa Sponsors must ensure visa holders work only in their approved nominated occupation and are provided with employment conditions equivalent to Australian workers, including appropriate salary levels and written employment contracts. Discriminatory recruitment practices based on visa status are prohibited.

Maintain Records

This is essential and requires employers to keep accurate records of employment conditions, visa-related costs, and sponsorship compliance activities, which must be provided to the Department upon request. Sponsors are also responsible for covering costs associated with sponsorship, recruitment, and return travel.

Visas You Can Sponsor

Duration

5 years from the day of the grant. No limitations in how many overseas skilled workers you can hire. Potential eligibility for accredited sponsor status, which offers faster processing and streamlined procedures

Key Requirements

Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
Demonstrate a history of compliance with immigration and workplace laws
Have a strong record of non-discriminatory recruitment practices.
Provide employment terms and conditions that meet or exceed Australian standards
Meet one of the six accreditation categories below:

Australian Trusted Traders
Low-volume users with a high percentage of Australian workers
High-volume users with a medium percentage of Australian workers
Businesses with a major investment in Australia
STEM start-up businesses receiving venture capital funding
Commonwealth, state and territory government agencies

Visas You Can Sponsor

Key Benefits

Priority processing of 482 and 494 visas and nominations
Streamlined processing for certain low-risk applications
The option to use job postings on the sponsor’s website as an eligible advertising platform for labour market testing purposes
Enhanced trust and recognition with Home Affairs and skilled migrants
The ability to fill critical roles faster by reducing administrative delays and improving the ability to compete for global talent

Accredited Sponsor

An accredited sponsor may receives priority when we process Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) (SESR) nominations and visa applications.

Labour Agreements

Labour Agreements provide a tailored pathway for businesses to sponsor overseas workers under conditions more flexible than standard visa programs, aligning sponsorship and visa requirements with your workforce needs.

Overview

Labour agreements enable approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers:

when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market
where standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available.

The Australian Government (represented by the department) and employers enter into labour agreements together. They are generally in effect for five years and allow the department to grant visas under one or more of the following visa programs:

Types of Labour Agreement

Industry Labour Agreement

Industry labour agreements are for a specific industry with fixed terms and conditions. Industry representative bodies will determine those terms in negotiation with the department, after demonstrating ongoing labour shortages and extensive consultation within the industry. Consistent concessions across an industry ensures equal opportunity and a level playing field.

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

They are formal agreements between the Australian Government and a state, territory, or regional authority, allowing access to a broader range of occupations than standard skilled migration programs. They provide flexibility for regions to meet unique economic and labour market needs.

DAMAs operate on two levels: a five-year head agreement with the regional representative, and individual labour agreements with employers under its terms. Head agreements outline eligible occupations, concessions, and visa criteria, enabling endorsed businesses in the region to sponsor skilled overseas workers. The Department of Home Affairs is currently supporting the transition to state and territory-led DAMAs.

Company Specific labour agreements.

Designed for employers when:

The required skills are not covered by an Industry Labour Agreement.
No Designated Area Migration Agreement or project agreement exists.
The occupation is not listed on the standard skilled visa programs, unless a strong business case is provided.

These agreements are not suitable if the standard skilled visa programs, an Industry Labour Agreement, or a DAMA can already meet your workforce needs.

Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)

A DAMA labour agreement will not be approved if the industry is already covered by an Industry Labour Agreement with fixed terms.Once approved, businesses can nominate and sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for specified occupations under the relevant DAMA head agreement. DAMAs prioritise Australian citizens and permanent residents, requiring employers to demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit locally before accessing a DAMA labour agreement.

There are currently 13 DAMAs in place. Below is a list of those DAMAs with links to the respective DAR websites that contain information on how to access each DAMA as well as which regions/locations/shires are covered:

Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement, SA: Skilled & Business Migration
East Kimberley, WA: East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Far North Queensland, QLD: Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Goulburn Valley, VIC: Goulburn Valley
Great South Coast, VIC: Warrnambool City Council
Northern Territory, NT: Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement
Orana, NSW: Regional Development Australia – Orana, NSW
Pilbara, WA: RDA Pilbara
South Australia Regional, SA: Skilled & Business Migration
South West, WA: Shire of Dardanup
The Goldfields, WA: City of Kalgoorlie Boulder
Townsville, QLD: Townsville Enterprise Limited
Western Australia: Department of Training and Workforce Development

The Department of Home Affairs reviews Labour Agreement requests on a case-by-case basis. Employers must present a strong business case clearly demonstrating the need for concessions. Ask our expert Migration Agents for support to navigate the process and strengthen your application.

Industry Labour Agreements

Industry Labour Agreements (ILAs) are designed for specific industries with fixed terms and conditions. Industry representative bodies negotiate these terms with the Department of Home Affairs after demonstrating ongoing labour shortages and consulting extensively within their sector. Standardised concessions across an industry ensure equal opportunity and a level playing field for all employers.

Advertising Industry

The Advertising Industry Labour Agreement allows businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers in:

Advertising Specialist
Graphic Designer
Copywriter
Multimedia Designer
Web Developer

Endorsement is required from the Media Federation of Australia (MFA) and the Advertising Council Australia (ACA). Terms and conditions are fixed and non-negotiable.

Aged Care Industry

The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement allows employers to sponsor overseas direct care workers in:

Aged or Disabled Carer
Nursing Support Worker
Personal Care Assistant

Employers in the disability sector may need to consider a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). Streamlined access is available for businesses that maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with relevant industry unions. Terms are fixed and non-negotiable.

Dairy Industry

The Dairy Industry Labour Agreement allows sponsorship of:

Senior Dairy Cattle Farm
WorkerDairy Cattle Farm Operator

Temporary stays of up to 4 years or pathways to permanent residence are possible. Concessions vary by visa subclass and regional location. Terms are fixed and non-negotiable.

Fishing Industry

The Fishing Industry Labour Agreement enables sponsorship of six identified occupations for temporary stays up to 4 years or permanent residence. Terms are fixed and non-negotiable, with concessions depending on visa subclass and regional location.

Horticulture Industry

The Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement covers 31 identified occupations for temporary periods of up to 4 years or permanent residence. Terms are fixed and non-negotiable, with concessions varying by visa subclass and regional location.

Meat Industry

The Meat Industry Labour Agreement allows sponsorship of Skilled Meat Workers for temporary periods of up to 4 years or permanent residence. Terms are fixed and non-negotiable, with concessions varying by visa subclass and regional location.

Minister of Religion

The Minister of Religion Industry Labour Agreement (MoRLA) allows sponsorship of:

Minister of Religion
Religious Assistant

Temporary stays of up to 4 years or permanent residency are possible. Immediate permanent residence is available only for applicants in senior ministerial positions. Terms are fixed and non-negotiable.

On-hire

The On-hire Industry Labour Agreement lets you sponsor skilled overseas workers on a temporary basis for certain occupations. You can assign them to work for a third party but you must remain the direct employer. The terms and conditions of the agreement are set and non-negotiable.

Pork industry

he Pork Industry Labour Agreement lets you sponsor skilled overseas workers in the occupation of Senior Stockperson (Piggery) for temporary periods of up to 4 years and/or for permanent residence. The terms and conditions of the agreement are set and non-negotiable. Note that the concessions available under the agreement vary depending on the visa subclass as well as the business designated regional location.

Restaurant (premium dining) industry

The Restaurant (premium dining) Industry Labour Agreement lets you sponsor skilled overseas workers in Australian premium quality dining restaurants as Cooks, Chefs, Café or Restaurant Managers, and Trade Waiters for periods of up to 4 years and/or for permanent residence. The terms and conditions of the agreement are set and non-negotiable.

Ask our expert Migration Agents for support to navigate the process and strengthen your application.

Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Labour Market Testing ensures that employers give priority to hiring qualified Australian workers before sponsoring overseas employees.

LMT is required for visa categories such as the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) Visa. Employers must demonstrate to the Department of Home Affairs that the position cannot be filled by an Australian worker, typically by advertising the role within Australia.

Labour Market Testing is not required where Australia has waived this requirement under its international trade obligations (ITO)

Advertisements must include/meet this criteria

The title or a description of the position
The skills or experience required for the position
The name of the approved sponsor or the name of the recruitment agency being used by the sponsor
The salary for the position if the annual earnings for the position are lower than $96,400 (it is acceptable to publish a salary range, e.g. AUD$80,000 – $90,000)
At least two advertisements must be published
Advertisements, including those on websites are expected to run for at least four continuous weeks

Providing Evidence of Labour Market Testing

Sponsors are required to provide evidence of Labour Market Testing. When a sponsor nominates an applicant, they must provide a total of two advertisements that meet the LMT advertising requirements when the nomination is lodged.

We Assess Your Business's Eligibility

Reliable migration advice supports business growth and minimises disruption. With the right strategy in place, employers can access global talent while remaining compliant, reducing risk, and keeping staffing and projects on track. Green Wings Migration supports businesses with sponsorship eligibility, application guidance, and ongoing compliance.

Visa and Services For Employers

At Green Wings Migration, our Registered Migration Agents can help your business navigate visa options to sponsor skilled professionals in Australia. Contact one of our agents today!

Corporate

Services for Businesses

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

Accredited Sponsorship

Labour Agreements

Labour Market Testing (LMT)

SBS

Standard Business Sponsor

Key Requirements

Visas You Can Sponsor

Duration

Key Requirements

Visas You Can Sponsor

Key Benefits

Accredited Sponsor

Labour Agreements

Overview

Types of Labour Agreement

Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)

Industry Labour Agreements

Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Advertisements must include/meet this criteria

Providing Evidence of Labour Market Testing

We Assess Your Business's Eligibility

Our Accreditations

With Green Wings Migration as your trusted partner, you know you are dealing with certified professionals complying with the laws

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Sponsorship Applications | Nominations | Compliance Records | Business Migration Audit​

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