This temporary resident visa allows an Australian employer to sponsor skilled worker from overseas to fill a position in their business. The applicant may apply for this visa in Australia if they are holding:
- A substantive visa; or
- A Bridging Visa A, B or C.
This visa subclass has three streams:
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Core Skills Stream – This stream is for skilled workers with occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The visa holders are allowed to work for the sponsor for up to four years and they are eligible to apply for a permanent visa after 2 years of employment.
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Specialist Skills Stream – This stream is for skilled workers with occupations listed in Major Group ANZSCO 1,2,4,5 and 6 (version ANZSCO 2022) and the salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (currently AUD135,000 until 30 June 2025). The visa holders are allowed to work for the sponsor for up to four years and they are eligibility to apply for a permanent visa after 2 years of employment.
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Labour Agreement Stream - This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employer who have a Labour Agreement. This stream is for skilled workers with occupations specified under the terms for Labour Agreement.
To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be nominated by an approved sponsor;
- Have at least 1-year relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a relevant field;
- Have the relevant skills, qualifications and employment background to perform occupation;
- Have a positive skills assessment if required;
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia;
- Have the appropriate level of English language proficiency required at time of application unless exempt; and
- Meet the health and character requirements.
The sponsoring employer must also meet certain requirements to nominate an employee for this visa:
- Be lawfully operating in Australia;
- No adverse information;
- Must conduct the Labour Market Testing (LMT) unless exempted – The LMT involves demonstrating to the Department of Home Affairs that the business is unable to find suitable Australian worker to fill the position in their business;
- Offer a salary to the nominated employee which must be above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) which is currently AUD73,150 (until 30 June 2025). The proposed salary must also be within the market rate for the role; and
- Pay the required Skilling Australian Funds (SAF) levy at the nomination stage. The current Skilling Australian Funds levy are as follows:
Business Turnover |
Required SAF levy to be paid per nomination per year |
Small business with turnover of less than AUD10 million |
AUD1,200 |
Large business with turnover of more than AUD10 million |
AUD1,800 |
If a large business is applying for a four-year SID visa, the sponsor must pay AUD7,200 (AUD1,800 x 4) when the nomination is lodged.
Labour Agreement Stream This temporary resident visa allows Australian employers who have labour agreements with the Australian Government to employ skilled workers from overseas. To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following:
- Have gained at least 12 months relevant full-time work experience, or equivalent within the last 5 years;
- Have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for the occupation;
- Work only for the sponsor;
- Have adequate health insurance in Australia;
- Have a level of English language proficiency required for your occupation; and
- Pass the health and character requirements.
What can I do with this visa?
- Work full-time for the sponsoring employer;
- Study in Australia
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid;
- Include members of the family unit;
- Pathway to permanent residency through the employer after 2 years.