How much does 482 visa sponsorship cost employers?

482 visa sponsorship cost Australia: understand employer sponsorship fees, nomination charges, SAF levy costs, four-year sponsorship examples and other potential 482 visa employer expenses.

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How Much Does 482 Visa Sponsorship Cost Employers?

The cost of 482 visa sponsorship for an Australian employer depends mainly on whether the business already has an approved Standard Business Sponsorship, its annual turnover, and the length of the nominated worker's visa. The main employer costs are the sponsorship application, nomination application and Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. The worker's own 482 visa application charge is a separate cost and is not normally an employer sponsorship charge.

For a new sponsor, the current government charges include a $420 Standard Business Sponsorship application fee and a $330 nomination application charge. The SAF levy is generally $1,200 per year of the nominated visa period for businesses with annual turnover below $10 million, or $1,800 per year for businesses with turnover of $10 million or more. This means the employer sponsored visa cost can increase substantially for a longer nomination.

Employers should therefore calculate the full sponsorship budget before making a job offer. For example, a new small business sponsoring a worker for four years would generally have $420 for sponsorship, $330 for nomination and $4,800 for the SAF levy, giving $5,550 in government employer charges before professional fees and other business costs. For a business with turnover of $10 million or more, the equivalent SAF levy would be $7,200, making the government employer total $7,950.

Important: The SAF levy is calculated according to the nominated visa period and is paid by the sponsoring employer. Government charges can change, so employers should confirm the applicable amount before lodging a sponsorship or nomination.

What Are the Main 482 Visa Employer Costs?

The first potential cost is Standard Business Sponsorship. A business that is not already an approved sponsor generally needs to apply before sponsoring a skilled worker. An approved Standard Business Sponsorship is generally valid for five years, so the sponsorship application fee is not necessarily payable for every individual employee.

The second cost is the nomination application charge, which applies when the employer nominates a position and worker. The third and often largest employer expense is the SAF levy. For a two-year nomination, the SAF levy is generally $2,400 for a business with turnover below $10 million and $3,600 for a business with turnover of $10 million or more. Employers should also consider labour market testing, recruitment, compliance, health and other operational expenses where applicable.

Professional migration assistance is another potential expense. Edvise Hub provides guidance on 482 visa sponsorship and related employer-sponsored pathways. Professional fees are separate from government charges and depend on the work required, the business circumstances and the complexity of the nomination.

Fahad Shamim

Migration & Education Consultant

MARA Registered MARN 2619225

QEAC G12906

As a Migration & Education Consultant, I provide expert guidance on Australian visas and international education, helping clients navigate both with ease.

Phone +61 424 295 050

Email fahad@edvisehub.com

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How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor an Employee on a 482 Visa?

As a practical guide, a new small business sponsoring one worker for four years may have approximately $5,550 in government employer charges: $420 for sponsorship, $330 for nomination and $4,800 for the SAF levy. A business with annual turnover of $10 million or more may have approximately $7,950 because its four-year SAF levy would be $7,200. These figures do not include professional fees or other costs associated with recruitment and compliance.

If the business is already an approved Standard Business Sponsor, the initial $420 sponsorship application fee may not apply to the new nomination. The employer would generally budget for the nomination charge and applicable SAF levy instead. The exact visa service fees should also be distinguished from government charges when preparing an overall budget.

The employee's 482 visa application charge is separate from the employer's sponsorship costs. From 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs lists the primary 482 visa application charge at AUD $4,015. Whether an employer chooses to pay some or all applicant-side costs is a separate commercial arrangement and should not be confused with mandatory employer sponsorship expenses.

What Should Employers Consider Before Sponsoring?

Cost is only one part of the decision. An employer must also consider whether the business is eligible to sponsor, whether the position and occupation meet the applicable requirements, labour market testing where required, salary and market-rate obligations, and the ongoing sponsorship obligations that apply after approval.

Employers should also understand that sponsorship costs cannot simply be treated as an employee deduction. The SAF levy and certain sponsorship and nomination expenses are employer responsibilities, and attempting to recover prohibited costs from a sponsored worker can create compliance risks. Because immigration rules and government charges can change, businesses should check the current requirements before lodging an application.

How Edvise Hub Can Help Employers

Edvise Hub can help employers assess the appropriate employer-sponsored pathway, understand the likely migration services required, prepare sponsorship and nomination documentation, and identify potential compliance issues. The appropriate strategy depends on the employer, position, worker and circumstances of the proposed nomination.

Planning to sponsor a skilled worker? Get professional guidance on your 482 sponsorship costs, requirements and nomination strategy before you proceed.

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Frequently Asked Questions About 482 Visa Sponsorship Costs

How much does 482 visa sponsorship cost an employer in Australia?

For a new sponsor, the main government employer costs generally include a $420 sponsorship application, a $330 nomination charge and the SAF levy. The SAF levy is generally $1,200 per year for businesses with turnover below $10 million or $1,800 per year for businesses with turnover of $10 million or more.

How much is the 482 visa SAF levy for employers?

The SAF levy for a subclass 482 nomination is generally $1,200 per year for a business with annual turnover below $10 million and $1,800 per year for a business with turnover of $10 million or more. It is calculated for the nominated visa period and paid by the employer.

Does an employer have to pay the worker's 482 visa application fee?

Not necessarily. The worker's visa application charge is separate from employer sponsorship and nomination costs. An employer may choose to cover applicant-side costs as part of an employment arrangement, but this is different from the mandatory employer government charges.

How much does a 4-year 482 sponsorship cost an employer?

For a new sponsor, the government employer charges can be approximately $5,550 for a business with turnover below $10 million, based on $420 sponsorship, $330 nomination and a $4,800 SAF levy. For a business with turnover of $10 million or more, the equivalent amount can be approximately $7,950 because the four-year SAF levy is $7,200.

Can an employer recover 482 sponsorship costs from the sponsored worker?

Certain sponsorship, nomination and SAF levy costs are employer responsibilities and cannot be recovered from the sponsored worker. Employers should obtain appropriate professional advice before attempting to allocate immigration-related costs to an employee, as improper cost recovery can create compliance issues.