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Standard Business Sponsorship Visa
The Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) is a component of the Employer Sponsored Visa program in Australia. It allows Australian businesses to become approved sponsors and nominate skilled workers from overseas to work in their organization on a temporary or permanent basis. The SBS enables businesses to fill skill shortages in their workforce by hiring foreign workers.
Key points about the Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS):
- Sponsorship Approval: Australian businesses seeking to employ skilled foreign workers must first apply for and obtain Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval. This involves demonstrating that the business is lawfully operating, has a genuine need for skilled workers, and will comply with sponsorship obligations.
- Temporary and Permanent Visas: The SBS can be used to sponsor foreign workers for both temporary and permanent visas. Temporary visas may include the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482), while permanent visas may include the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186).
- Nomination of Occupations: Once approved as an SBS, the business can nominate specific occupations to fill their skill gaps. The nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list, and the business must justify the need for the position.
- Labour Market Testing: In most cases, businesses need to demonstrate that they have tested the local labour market by advertising the position before nominating a foreign worker. This is to ensure that qualified Australians are given the opportunity to apply for the job.
- Sponsorship Obligations: Approved SBS holders have specific obligations, including ensuring that the sponsored worker’s employment conditions meet Australian standards, maintaining training obligations, and cooperating with immigration compliance efforts.
- TSS Visa Streams: The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) has three streams: Short-Term, Medium-Term, and Labour Agreement. Each stream has different validity periods and eligibility criteria.
- Transition to Permanent Residency: Some visa holders sponsored through SBS may have pathways to transition to permanent residency, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187).
- Application Process: The SBS application process involves submitting an online application, providing required documentation, and demonstrating that the business meets the relevant criteria. The application is assessed by the Department of Home Affairs.
