The Five Categories of Accredited Sponsorship

Becoming an accredited sponsor in Australia offers businesses several benefits, including streamlined visa processing for temporary skilled workers. However, achieving this status requires meeting specific criteria that fall under five distinct categories. Here’s a breakdown of these categories and their key characteristics:

Commonwealth, State, and Territory Government Agencies

This category is reserved for government bodies at the federal, state, or territory level. To be eligible:

The employer must be a government department or agency.
At least 75% of the workforce in Australia should be Australian workers.

Australian Trusted Traders

Businesses that have attained the status of Australian Trusted Trader can qualify for sponsorship accreditation. The requirements include:

Being a current Australian Trusted Trader.
Having at least 75% of the workforce made up of Australian workers.
Providing written contracts that comply with National Employment Standards (unless exempt), and paying employees in line with an Enterprise Agreement or internal salary tables reflecting market rates.

Low Volume Usage, High Percentage of Australian Workers

This category is designed for businesses that employ a high percentage of Australians but make low-volume use of the sponsorship program. To qualify:

Australian workers must make up at least 85% of the workforce.
The business must have had at least one Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) or 457 visa nomination approved in the last two years.
More than 97% of the company’s nomination applications must have been approved in the last year.
The business must have an annual turnover of at least AUD 4 million and have been a standard business sponsor for at least one year.
Compliance with sponsor obligations and employee payments based on market salary rates is essential.

High Volume Usage, Medium Percentage of Australian Workers

For companies with higher volumes of visa sponsorship, this category applies if:

Australian workers make up at least 75% of the workforce.
At least 10 nominations for TSS or 457 visa holders have been approved in the last two years.
The business has an annual turnover of AUD 4 million for the last two years and has been a standard sponsor for at least two years.
The business must have maintained compliance with all sponsor obligations and paid employees according to market rates.

Major Investment in Australia

This category rewards businesses that have made significant investments in Australia, contributing to local employment and economic growth. Eligibility requires:

An investment of at least AUD 50 million that directly generates Australian jobs.
The company must have been a standard business sponsor for at least one year and have had nominations approved for at least one TSS or 457 visa holder in the last year.
The company must demonstrate no adverse monitoring outcomes and meet salary and employment contract standards for visa holders.

Conclusion

Each category has its own set of detailed criteria, but they all share common themes: ensuring compliance with visa regulations, maintaining high Australian employment percentages, and demonstrating financial stability.

At Aurelia Legal, we specialize in helping businesses navigate the accreditation process and ensuring they meet all necessary requirements. If you’re interested in becoming an accredited sponsor or need assistance with visa nominations, contact us today to streamline the process and secure top talent for your business.