Business Migration

Standard Business Sponsorship.
The gate you must open first.

You cannot nominate a single worker until your business holds Standard Business Sponsorship approval. This is step one. We structure the evidence file to ensure approval — and manage your compliance obligations for the full five-year term.

5 yearsSBS approval period
1–3 weeksTypical processing time
$420Government fee
Required firstBefore any nomination
What Is SBS

The approval that unlocks
your entire talent pipeline.

Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) is approval from the Department of Home Affairs allowing your business to sponsor overseas skilled workers under the 482 visa. Without it, you cannot nominate anyone.

Approval is valid for five years. During that period you can nominate as many workers as your business genuinely needs — subject to meeting nomination requirements for each role.

The application is evidence-based. The Department assesses whether your business is lawfully operating, financially viable, and has a genuine need for the sponsored positions. We structure the file to answer those questions clearly.

01

Lawfully operating business

Your business must be properly registered and actively trading. ABN, ACN, GST registration, and evidence of genuine commercial activity.

02

Financial viability

Evidence that your business can meet its obligations to sponsored workers — including salary payments, entitlements, and ongoing employment.

03

Genuine need

Evidence of a real business need for the positions you intend to sponsor. This is assessed at nomination stage — but strong SBS evidence helps lay the groundwork.

04

Compliance history

No adverse immigration or employment law history. The Department assesses prior sponsorship conduct if applicable.

05

Can start-ups apply?

Yes — but additional evidence is required. Business plans, signed contracts, investor funding, or financial forecasts can substitute for trading history. We know what to include.

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Not sure if you qualify?

Book an eligibility check. We'll tell you honestly whether your business is ready to apply, and what gaps need addressing if not.

Check eligibility →
Sponsor Obligations

Approval is the start.
Compliance is the ongoing obligation.

SBS approval comes with a five-year set of obligations. Breaches can result in suspension or cancellation of your sponsorship — and in serious cases, civil penalties. We monitor this so it never catches you off-guard.

Equitable employment terms

Sponsored workers must receive terms and conditions no less favourable than equivalent Australian workers in the same role.

Record keeping

Employment records, payslips, and sponsorship documents must be maintained and made available to the Department on request.

Notification obligations

Changes in employment — role changes, termination, change of business structure — must be reported to the Department promptly.

No cost transfer

Certain costs — including the SAF levy and nomination charges — must not be passed on to the sponsored worker under any circumstances.

We provide ongoing compliance monitoring for the full five-year sponsorship term — salary threshold indexation, occupation code changes, notification obligations, and renewal preparation. You focus on your business. We watch the compliance calendar.

Common Questions

What employers ask before they apply.

Do I need SBS before nominating a worker?

Yes — SBS approval must be current before you can lodge any nomination application. It is step one in the process.

How long does SBS approval take?

Processing can be as fast as 1–3 weeks when the evidence file is complete and correct. Incomplete applications take significantly longer.

How long does SBS approval last?

Five years. Renewal is required before expiry to maintain your ability to nominate workers.

Can SBS approval be cancelled?

Yes. Failure to meet sponsorship obligations or compliance breaches can result in suspension or cancellation — and civil penalties in serious cases.

What is the government fee?

The current government application fee is $420. Professional service fees apply separately — fixed and quoted before work begins.

Do you assist with renewals?

Yes — we prepare renewal applications and conduct a compliance review to ensure smooth approval and continuity of your sponsorship.

Ready to become a sponsor?

Book an eligibility check. We'll confirm whether your business is ready to apply, what the evidence file needs to include, and give you a fixed-fee quote before any work begins.

Check Your Eligibility
Fixed fees · MARN 1466195 · Sydney CBD · Response within 24 hours