I’m Kirk. If you would like to plan your studies or migration to Australia, add me on WeChat: NewstarsMel03.
With the first quarter of the new financial year over, today we are reviewing the progress and approvals in some of the employer-related pathways we have handled, including Subclasses 482, 186 and 407.
An overview of employer-sponsored processing in Australia in the first quarter of the new financial year
Subclass 482 sponsorship and nomination processing has accelerated, with some fully documented applications successfully securing sponsorship approval within two to three days.
Nominations for trades such as carpentry were assessed around seven days after lodgement.
Accountants, IT professionals and marketing specialists—occupations needing high points scores that struggle to secure skilled migration invitations—have received large numbers of employer-sponsored visa grants.
The key to success is explaining why the position is necessary and how it relates to a reasonable staffing need. Examples include a South Australian hospitality group successfully sponsoring an accountant and a marketing specialist position at a physiotherapy clinic, with applicants aged 40+ successfully approved in both cases.
Subclass 186 DE/TRT permanent residency applications continue to progress steadily
The general processing time for Subclass 186 DE is currently around 24 months, with processing concentrated on applications lodged between September and December 2024.
Some cases have progressed faster, such as an accountant position lodged in May that was processed in around four months.
A complex case also succeeded on review: a flower, fruit and nut plantation secured approval of its Subclass 482 nomination after winning at the ART.
For positions such as early childhood teachers, warehouse administrators and restaurant managers, the Subclass 407 Training visa and Subclass 482 labour agreements have become alternative options. Clients aged 40+ have also successfully received visa grants with their spouses.
A selection of successful cases from September:
Subclass 186 DE, accountant: lodged in late May and finalised in mid-September. Another application, lodged in December 2024, was approved in early October, with the nomination and primary applicant assessment completed together.
Subclass 186 DE, accountant: lodged in July 2024 and finalised for the whole family together in September.
Subclass 186 DE, programmer/software developer: nomination approved in late June, with the whole family’s applications finalised in late September.
Subclass 186 DE, mechanical engineering/automotive repairs/ICT BA: all lodged in early September 2024 and finalised in August–September 2026, taking around 24 months.
Subclass 186 TRT, marketing specialist: lodged in February 2025, with the nomination finalised in September 2026.
Subclass 482:
Carpenter: lodged in early September, with the nomination finalised within one week.
Physiotherapist: lodged in late June and finalised in late September, for an applicant aged 40+.
Chef: lodged in late June and finalised in early September, taking around 2.5 months.
Regional programme: a warehouse administrator and their spouse were finalised in around six months through a labour agreement.
Subclass 407, early childhood teacher: lodged in March, with both the nomination and application finalised in early September.
Despite the Department’s various policy restrictions and the intense competition for points and work experience in skilled migration, employer-related pathways have not been affected at all and offer advantages in both allocations and processing and visa grant speed! If you have a suitable job and an employer willing to sponsor you, it is worth having a proper conversation with them!
