How long does the sponsorship last?

• This can last for 5 years from the date the sponsorship has been approved 

• If standard business sponsorship has been approved, it is recommended to apply for accredited status 

When you become a standard business sponsor, you can sponsor someone to work for you on a: 

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) 

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) 

Eligibility/Requirements: 

• Have a legally established and currently operating business. The business can be in or outside of Australia 

• Have no adverse information regarding the business 

• you should have a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour

• you must declare that you will not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices

WHO CAN APPLY FOR STANDARD BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP?

The various types of entities that would generally apply for SBS approval should fall within one of these five groups of ‘persons’. These include:

• sole traders;

• partnerships;

• proprietary companies;

• public companies;

• government departments;

• statutory authorities;

• not-for-profit-organisations; and

• educational institutions.

Obligations: 

By meeting your sponsor obligations, we ensure:

• overseas skilled workers are protected from exploitation

• the TSS and SESR visa programs are being used to meet genuine skills shortages

• Note: Some of your obligations apply beyond the term of sponsorship approval. To retain or renew your standard business sponshorship, you must meet your sponsor obligations.

Changes to business structure

If there is a change to your business structure that results in the creation of a new legal entity, for example, you change from a sole trader to a company:

• the new entity must become a standard business sponsor

• you must lodge new nominations for each 457, TSS or SESR visa holder you currently employ

If you don't:

• your workers will breach their visa conditions. If this happens, we might cancel their visa

• you might breach your sponsorship obligations

• there might be problems if you want to sponsor someone for a permanent visa in the future