Standard Business Sponsorship

Sponsorship Requirements

• Established Business Structure: The business must be properly structured, either as a company, trust, partnership, or a registered business.
• Financial Position: The business must demonstrate that it is in a sound financial position.
• Lawfully Operating: The business must be actively and legally operating in Australia.

Sponsorship Period of Validity

Standard Period

Sponsorship is generally valid for 5 years.

Exceptions

• Recently Established Businesses: If the business has been established for less than 12 months, the sponsorship (and any TSS visas granted) will only be valid for 12 months.
• Accredited Sponsors: High-volume sponsors can apply for accreditation, in which case the sponsorship is valid for 6 years.

Limitation on the Number of Sponsored Employees

Employers must declare how many employees they plan to sponsor during the sponsorship validity. The Department of Home Affairs can limit this number if deemed necessary. Once the limit is reached, the employer will need to apply for a variation of the sponsorship to sponsor additional employees.

This process ensures that businesses meet financial, operational, and compliance standards before sponsoring employees on TSS 482 visas.

Overview of Overseas Business Sponsorship (OBS)

The Overseas Business Sponsorship (OBS) in Australia allows overseas businesses to sponsor skilled workers to help establish or support business operations in Australia.

Purpose of Sponsorship

• Establishing Business Operations: To employ skilled workers to set up a new business operation in Australia.
• Contract Fulfillment: To employ workers to fulfill obligations under existing contracts in Australia.

Training Requirements

Businesses without an operating base in Australia are exempt from meeting the training requirement.

Duration of Sponsorship

For Australian Businesses

• Start-Up Businesses: Sponsorship is valid for 18 months.
• Accredited Sponsorships: Sponsorship lasts for 6 years.
• Standard Business Sponsorships: Valid for 5 years.
• Labour Agreements: The sponsorship lasts for the duration of the labour agreement.

For Overseas Businesses

• Establishing a Business in Australia: Sponsorship is valid for 18 months.
• Contractual Obligations: Sponsorship lasts for 5 years.

Labour Agreements

If a labour agreement is in place, the business is considered an approved sponsor for the term of that agreement.

Summary

In summary, the OBS program is designed to facilitate skilled workers’ employment to support business growth in Australia. The sponsorship durations vary depending on the nature of the business and its operations, allowing overseas businesses to establish a presence in Australia while fulfilling their contractual obligations.

If you have specific questions or need further details about the sponsorship process, feel free to ask!