Bringing qualified staff in from overseas

Becoming an accredited sponsor

Employers who intend to sponsor staff for subclass 482 or 494 visas might wish to consider applying for accredited sponsor status. An entity must meet certain eligibility requirements outlined by the Department of Home Affairs in order to obtain accredited sponsor status. In addition to the normal standard business sponsorship requirements, the sponsor must also meet the criteria for one of the 5 categories of accreditation status.

The 5 categories are:

1. Commonwealth, state and territory government agencies
2. Australian Trusted Traders
3. Low volume usage and high percentage of Australian workers
   (at least 85%)
4. High volume usage and medium percentage of Australian workers
   (at least 75%)
5. Major investment in Australia

What are the benefits?

The benefits of becoming an accredited sponsor include priority processing of nominations and visa applications and streamlined processing of some nominations, including most ANZSCO level 1 and 2 occupations where the base salary of the nominated position is higher than $75,000. Accredited sponsors also have more relaxed labour market testing requirements, with the ability to advertise the position on their own website.  Finally, subclass 482 visa applicants do not require police clearance certificates for every country in which they have resided, as long as the accredited sponsor can attest to the applicant’s good character.

Application for accreditation can be made when lodging an initial application for sponsorship, or when renewing an existing sponsorship. Any accreditation status applications must be accompanied by appropriate evidence, depending on the chosen category. If the application for accreditation should not be successful, the applicant can still be approved as standard business sponsor.

Introducing Silke Koernicke
HWL Ebsworth Lawyers

Silke Koernicke has considerable experience in assisting overseas companies to establish and maintain business operations in Australia. Silke acts for international businesses in a wide range of industries including services, manufacturing, ICT, waste management and alternative energy. She has expertise in distribution and agency arrangements, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, establishment of subsidiaries and branch offices, corporate law, credit and trading terms.

Silke is a native German speaker and has a close association with a number of European trade representations in Sydney including the Austrian Foreign Trade Office, the Danish Consulate, the Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish Trade Council, Invest Northern Ireland, and the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Silke regularly obtains Australian business and work visas for overseas executives and other experienced staff. Silke is a notary public and a registered migration agent (MARN 0105495).