Pathway
Three approvals. One coordinated process. We handle all of it, from sponsorship approval through to the visa grant and beyond. If you can't fill the role locally, this is the pathway.
MARA Registered · MARN 1281245 · MARN 1798143
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Sponsorship isn't one form. It's three approvals plus a worker visa application plus ongoing obligations. Here's how it runs when we handle it.
Before any application, we work out which visa stream fits your situation. The wrong stream wastes months.
What we do at this step
Step duration: typically 1–2 weeksStandard Business Sponsorship (SBS) is the licence to nominate workers. Generally valid for 5 years and lets you nominate multiple workers in that period.
What we do at this step
Step durationA nomination is the specific role being sponsored. You can have an SBS but still get nominations refused — this is where most applications stumble.
What we do at this step
Step durationThe nominated worker applies for the actual visa — 482, 186, or 494 depending on the strategy from step 1. We coordinate skills assessment, English testing, health and character checks.
What we do at this step
Step durationSponsorship doesn't end at visa grant. You have ongoing obligations for the duration of the worker's stay, and most workers will be looking at the permanent residency pathway.
What we do at this step
Ongoing — sponsor obligations are continuousEach step has its own evidence requirements. We coordinate them so you're not running three applications in parallel.
Timeline
End-to-end timing depends on visa type, occupation, and whether labour market testing is required. As an indicative range:
SBS approvalSBS approval
Nomination decisionNomination decision
Visa decisionVisa decision
Total end-to-endTotal end-to-end
Times vary by stream, occupation, and Home Affairs workload. Verify current processing times during your consultation.
Division of work
If you'd rather we handle the LMT advertising too, we can — ask during your consultation.
Cost
Costs split into three categories: government fees, the SAF levy, and our professional fees. We give you a fixed quote at your consultation; nothing below is locked until then.
Government application fees
Set by the Department of Home Affairs. Paid to Home Affairs.
Visa application chargeSkilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
Paid at the nomination stage. Amount depends on business turnover and visa length.
SAF levyProfessional fees (ICS)
Our fee for handling the SBS, nomination, and visa application. Confirmed at consultation, fixed before we start.
Professional feesIndicative total
Total — at consultationCosts vary by visa type, business turnover, and family size. Your consultation includes a written quote covering all three categories.
Honest failure
We've seen sponsorships refused for avoidable reasons. These are the top four:
Problem
Home Affairs decides the role wasn't a real ongoing position — common when the role looks invented for sponsorship.
How we mitigate
We pressure-test the role with you before lodging. If it won't pass, we tell you before any fees are charged.
Problem
The salary doesn't match what an Australian would be paid for that occupation in that location — a refusable issue, particularly outside capital cities.
How we mitigate
We use job ad data, awards, EBA evidence, and salary surveys for your specific region. If the salary is too low, we tell you what it would need to be.
Problem
Advertising in the wrong places, for too short a period, or with wrong information — refusable for non-compliance with the LMT requirements.
How we mitigate
We draft compliant ads, advise where to place them, and keep evidence of every advertisement for your records.
Problem
The worker's qualifications, English, or experience don't satisfy the relevant assessing authority — common when the authority is changed without warning by Home Affairs.
How we mitigate
We check the worker's profile against the current assessing authority requirements before the SBS is lodged, not after. If it won't pass, we'll say so.
Industries
Each industry has its own occupation lists, labour agreements, and pay realities. Pick the one closest to your business:
30-minute consultations are free and confidential. We'll tell you whether sponsorship makes sense for your situation, the realistic timeline, and the total cost — including our fee. No obligation.
Disclaimer. This page is general information only and is not migration advice. Visa rules and thresholds change. For advice on your specific situation, book a consultation with one of our MARA-registered agents. Current Department of Home Affairs information is available at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.