What is Standard Business Sponsorship?

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) is the company-level approval that allows an Australian business to sponsor overseas workers on visas such as the Skills in Demand (482). It assesses that the business is lawfully operating with no adverse record, and once granted it generally covers multiple nominations across its validity period. It is the first of three approvals in employer sponsorship — the business (SBS), the position (nomination), and the person (visa) — and the first two are decided substantially on the business's own records.

What are the employer sponsorship obligations?

SBS holders must pay market salary rates, retain employment records for five years, notify DHA of material changes to the role, pay return travel costs on cessation of employment, not transfer sponsorship costs to the worker, and not adversely affect Australian workers' conditions. Breaches can result in an infringement notice, bar on further nominations, or cancellation of sponsorship.

How long does the SBS application take?

DHA does not publish a fixed processing time for SBS. In practice, straightforward applications from established businesses have been processed within 2–8 weeks. Complex applications, adverse history, or additional information requests extend this. Nomination and visa stages run after SBS — total employer sponsorship time is typically 3–6 months from SBS lodgement.

Does SBS need to be renewed?

Yes. Standard Business Sponsorship is granted for 5 years (established businesses) or 1 year (new entrants). Renewal must be lodged before expiry. Importantly, if SBS lapses, existing sponsored workers can continue on their current visa but new nominations cannot be lodged until SBS is restored.

What happens if we change the sponsored worker's role?

If the change is material — different duties, different occupation ANZSCO code, change in hours, significant salary variation — a new nomination may be required. Minor changes within the scope of the original nomination may not require refiling but should be documented. When in doubt, notify DHA rather than assume the change is covered.

Can the worker change employer after being sponsored?

A sponsored worker on a subclass 482 is tied to the sponsoring employer for the occupation nominated. They can change employers if the new employer holds SBS and lodges a nomination for them. There is no sponsorship-free "portability" period on the 482 — the worker must have a new sponsor before leaving the current one.

What is the SAF levy and who pays it?

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a contribution paid by the sponsoring employer at the time of nomination. It is calculated per sponsored worker per year of visa duration and cannot be passed to the worker. Rates: $1,200/year for small businesses (annual turnover under $10M); $1,800/year for others. It is separate from the DHA application fees and is not refundable.

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Q: Can a small business sponsor a worker?

Yes. There is no minimum business size, turnover threshold, or employee count required to hold SBS. A sole trader or micro-business with a genuine need for a skilled overseas worker is eligible. The SAF levy rate is lower for businesses with annual turnover under $10 million.

The foundational employer approval that unlocks access to the Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186), and regional employer-sponsored (494) visa streams.

General information current as at August 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

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Quick Answer

Standard Business Sponsorship is the employer approval needed before nominating workers on Skills in Demand (subclass 482) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), as Nanak Migration Group, a registered migration agent (MARN 2619467), explains. It underpins most employer-sponsored visas, including the 482 to PR pathway and roles drawn from the Core Skills Occupation List.

Reviewed by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619467)

Last reviewed: July 2026

Who Can Apply

SBS eligibility requirements

DHA assesses the business — not the size of it. The questions are about lawful operation, genuine need, and whether the business has an adverse migration history.

Lawfully operating in Australia — registered business with current ABN

Employs or intends to employ workers in genuine positions

No adverse administrative actions under migration law

Training record or undertaking to maintain training spend

No sanctions, deregistration or winding-up proceedings

Small Business & Sole Traders

Can a small business sponsor a worker?

Yes — no minimum size required.

There is no employee count, turnover floor, or trading history minimum to become an SBS holder. A sole trader or business with a single employee can apply.

Small businesses and sole traders can apply — there is no minimum size or employee count

Turnover thresholds are not used to assess SBS — operational legitimacy is what matters

A business with one current employee can sponsor a second person

Businesses that have not yet commenced trading may apply but face additional scrutiny

Businesses not yet trading will face additional evidence requirements. Early-stage startups and businesses with ABNs under 12 months typically require more documentation.

The Sequence

Three approvals. One sequence.

Each stage is a separate DHA decision. A refusal at Stage 1 does not prevent reapplication but resets the clock for every stage that follows.

01 · SBS

Business Approval

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

The company applies to become an approved sponsor. DHA assesses: lawful operation, no adverse record, training record, and genuine need. Granted to the entity, not the individual. Validity: 5 years (standard) or 1 year (new entrant).

This page covers SBS in detail

02 · NOM

Position Approval

Nomination

Each role nominated must be on the relevant occupation list, meet the TSMIT or annual earnings threshold, and demonstrate market salary rate via payroll evidence or an independent salary survey. This stage is where most employer sponsorship mistakes surface.

03 · VISA

Person Approval

Visa Application

The worker applies for the visa (482 Skills in Demand, 186 ENS, 494 SESR). Health, character and skills assessment requirements apply to the individual. The SBS and nomination decisions are made before this stage — changes to either require refiling.

Ongoing Duties

Sponsorship obligations

SBS approval is not a one-time event. These obligations continue for the life of each sponsored worker's visa — and beyond, in some cases.

Pay market salary rate

The sponsored worker must receive equivalent terms and conditions — including salary, allowances and loadings — to an Australian worker in the same role at the same location. Not just base pay: total package must match.

Breaching a sponsorship obligation may result in an infringement notice ($9,400 for a company), a bar on further nominations, or cancellation of the SBS altogether.

Fees

What does employer sponsorship cost?

Government application fees only — migration agent fees are separate. Costs below are indicative and current as at the date on this page.

Item

Amount

Note

SBS application fee

$420

Per sponsor entity, not per worker. One-time for the approval period.

Nomination application fee

$330

Per nominated position. Lodged each time a role is nominated.

SAF levy — small business (< $10M turnover)

$1,200 / year

Per sponsored worker per year of visa duration, paid upfront.

SAF levy — all other businesses

$1,800 / year

Per sponsored worker per year of visa duration, paid upfront.

Visa application charge

Varies

482 base: $3,115 (primary) + $1,545 (secondary applicant). Paid by visa applicant — cannot be recouped from worker.

SAF levy cannot be passed to the worker — it is unlawful to deduct or recoup the SAF levy from a sponsored employee's wages at any time. The $1,200/$1,800 per year per worker is an employer cost.

Figures current as at 1 July 2026 — verify with Home Affairs.

Process

SBS to visa — the sequence

Employer sponsorship runs in strict sequence. SBS must be approved before nomination can be lodged; nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted.

Assess eligibility & collect business documents

Week 1–2

ASIC certificate, ATO records, payroll summary, existing workforce details, training documentation.

Lodge SBS application

Week 2–3

Online via ImmiAccount. Pay $420 government fee. Applications cannot be expedited after lodgement.

SBS decision

Week 4–10

DHA processing time is not published. Straightforward cases have been decided in 2–8 weeks.

Prepare nomination evidence

Post-SBS

Salary evidence, labour market testing results, TSMIT or annual earnings check, position description, employment contract.

Lodge nomination

Week 10–12

Nomination is lodged after SBS is approved. $330 government fee per nomination.

Lodge visa application

Week 12+

Worker lodges visa application. Health and character assessments commence. Bridging visa issued if worker is in Australia.

FAQ

Employer questions answered

Need help getting SBS approved?

Navpreet Aulakh (MARN 2619467) guides employers through the SBS process, nomination, and visa stages — handling the compliance requirements so your business can focus on hiring.

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MARA-registered · MARN 2619467 · Employer sponsorship specialists

General information only — not immigration advice

About this information

This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.

No outcome representation

Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.

Get personal advice

Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.

Standard Business
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