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Today, we’re rounding up some of the employer-sponsored nomination approvals and visa grants we handled in August (see the lead image).
August brought approvals not only in accounting, IT and engineering: priority occupations in the trades, healthcare and education also received rapid processing. We even secured approvals for less common occupations and overturned refusals.
- High-paying Specialist Skills stream: An Engineering Manager earning nearly 200,000 a year lodged on 14 August and had the nomination approved instantly!
- Priority processing for tradespeople: A Welder’s 482 nomination was approved in just a month and a half!
- Priority healthcare stream: A Thai client aged 40+ applied for a 482 as a Massage Therapist, under Healthcare priority processing. Lodged in late June, the application was approved in less than 3 months! There may be an opportunity to transition to permanent residency before turning 45!
An early childhood teacher’s 482 visa took just over a month from lodgement to grant. We suggest early childhood teachers have a good discussion with their employers to explore more opportunities!
A community worker’s 482 visa took less than 4 months!
Struggling with skilled migration | Securing permanent residency by transitioning from 482 to 186
PR granted to an accountant: The application to transition from 482 to 186 TRT was lodged in September 2024, and the nomination was approved in December 2025. After an 8-month wait, permanent residency was granted in early August, including the applicant’s spouse! Another 186 DE nomination lodged in August 2023 was also approved!
186 DE nomination approved for an IT occupation: A Computer Network and Systems Engineer who lodged in November 2024 received approval on 26 August!
A Mechanical Engineer lodged a 186 DE application in early September 2024, and both the nomination and permanent residency were approved in late August!
Overturning a difficult refusal | Nut Grower wins 482 appeal at an ART hearing
A Nut Grower’s 482 nomination refusal was successfully overturned on appeal to the ART! The client’s application had been refused because the employer had poor turnover over the past few years and was a small business. Our lawyers focused their arguments on the long-term and indispensable nature of the role, the nut-growing cycle and the employer’s overall financial capacity. Following a hearing in August, the final decision was to Remit the matter to the Department of Home Affairs for reconsideration.
Employer sponsorship success stories for older applicants and those with unusual circumstances
A family of four from South America, with a main applicant aged 35+: The main applicant worked part-time at a construction company while studying. Once their student visa ended, they could not apply for a 485 because they were over 35. However, after accumulating 1 year of work experience, they secured employer sponsorship. The 312112 Building Associate nomination was approved instantly, and the visa was granted in less than 2 months!
407 training visa for an early childhood teacher aged 40+: After a year and a half, the nomination was approved despite a few anxious moments!
Warehouse Administrator in regional New South Wales: Secured nomination approval through a 482 labour agreement!
Can small employers also apply for employer sponsorship?
Employer sponsorship covers a wide range of occupations, extending beyond IT, engineering and business. Sales Representatives, Warehouse Administrators, Arts Administrators, Nut Growers and Massage Therapists have also received approvals.
For small employers or those with modest turnover, approval may still be possible as long as the role is genuine and indispensable, even if past financial figures were unimpressive or there has been a previous refusal!
The skilled migration pathway is certainly very competitive at present. However, if you already have a job in Australia, try talking to your employer: there may be more opportunities!
