Sponsorship Costs and Timelines for Australian Employers
Information current as at October 2026. Rules, fees and lists change often, so check your circumstances with us before you act.
Before you sponsor an overseas worker, you need a realistic budget and timeline. This page brings together the government charges that apply from 1 July 2026, shows who must pay each one, works through typical examples, and explains the stages that decide how long sponsorship takes.
The figures are government charges only. Professional fees, recruitment, relocation and salary costs are extra. For the full list of visa charges for every visa, see Australian visa fees from 1 July 2026. Need advice on your situation? You can book a consultation with our employer team.
Employer charges
These must be paid by the employer. It is unlawful to recover them from the worker.
| Charge | Amount | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship (482, 494, 186 employers) | $420 | When you apply for sponsorship |
| Temporary activities sponsorship (407, 408) | $420 | When you apply for sponsorship |
| Nomination fee, 482 | $330 | With each nomination |
| Nomination fee, 186 and 494 | $540 | With each nomination |
| Nomination fee, 407 and 408 | $170 | With each nomination |
| SAF levy, 482, turnover under $10 million | $1,200 per year of the nomination | With each nomination |
| SAF levy, 482, turnover $10 million or more | $1,800 per year of the nomination | With each nomination |
| SAF levy, 186 and 494, turnover under $10 million | $3,000, paid once | With each nomination |
| SAF levy, 186 and 494, turnover $10 million or more | $5,000, paid once | With each nomination |
Card surcharges on visa payments were removed from 1 October 2026. More on the levy: labour market testing and the SAF levy.
Visa charges
Visa charges can be paid by the worker or, if you choose, by the employer.
| Visa | Main applicant | Each family member 18 or over | Each child under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482), all streams | $4,015 | $4,015 | $1,005 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) | $6,140 | $3,070 | $1,535 |
| Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (191) | $630 | $315 | $160 |
| Short Stay Specialist (400) | $535 | $535 | $135 |
| Training (407) | $535 | $535 | $135 |
| Temporary Activity (408) | $535 | $535 | $135 |
A subsequent temporary application charge of $700 per person applies to some temporary visas lodged in Australia. For the 186 and 494, a second instalment is payable for adults without functional English. Other costs for the worker usually include health examinations, police certificates, English tests and skills assessments.
Worked examples
| Item | Small business (turnover under $10m) | Large business ($10m or more) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship | $420 | $420 |
| Nomination fee | $330 | $330 |
| SAF levy (4 years) | $4,800 | $7,200 |
| Employer charges | $5,550 | $7,950 |
| Visa: worker, partner and one child | $9,035 | $9,035 |
| Total government charges | $14,585 | $16,985 |
If the business already holds sponsorship, take $420 off the employer charges.
What decides the timeline
There is no fixed processing time for sponsorship, nominations or visas. These are the stages to plan for, and what makes each one faster or slower.
Ways to save time and money
- Lodge the sponsorship and the nomination together.
- Start labour market testing as soon as you decide to sponsor, but time it so it is still within four months on the nomination date.
- Ask the worker to start skills assessments, English tests and police certificates early.
- Choose the nomination period carefully: a longer 482 nomination means a higher SAF levy, while a shorter one may need a new nomination if plans change.
- Keep your sponsorship current. Renewing late can delay new nominations.
- Use the right entity. Lodging in the wrong company name usually means starting again and losing fees.
For current processing information, see our processing times page.
Frequently asked questions
Can the worker pay their own visa charge?
Yes. Visa charges can be paid by the worker. Sponsorship, nomination and SAF costs cannot be passed on to them.
Are these costs tax deductible?
The SAF levy is tax deductible, and many sponsorship costs are business expenses. Ask your accountant about your situation.
Do we pay the SAF levy again if the worker gets a new 482?
Yes. Each new nomination attracts the levy, including a renewal or a nomination by a new employer.
What happens to the fees if the nomination is refused?
Nomination fees are generally not refunded, and SAF refunds are limited to specific situations. This is why getting the nomination right first time matters.
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on the stream, the occupation, the worker’s country and how complete the application is. Labour market testing alone takes at least four weeks. Talk to us for a timeline based on your role.
Do we have to pay the worker’s relocation costs?
There is no general rule requiring it, but you must pay reasonable return travel costs if the worker or Home Affairs asks after the employment ends.
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