From 12 August 2018 employers wishing to nominate skilled overseas workers will need to make a contribution to the Skilling Australia Fund (SAF). The amount your business needs to pay depends on the type of visa and the annual turnover of the sponsoring business.

Businesses nominating a skilled worker for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa (this includes businesses submitting a nomination application to transfer an existing 457 visa holder) will need to pay:

  • $1,200 per year if the annual turnover of the business is less than $10,000,000
  • $1,800 per year if the annual turnover is higher than $10,000,000.

Businesses nominating a skilled worker for permanent residence under either the Subclass 186 Employer nomination Scheme or the Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme will need to pay:

  • $3,000 if the annual turnover of the business is less than $10,000,000
  • $5,000 if the annual turnover is higher than $10,000,000.

The SAF charges are payable at the time the nomination application is lodged and for the Subclass 482 TSS visa, is paid upfront for each year your business wishes to nominate an overseas worker. For example, if your business wants to nominate a worker for 4 years under the TSS visa, you need to pay the levy for each of those four years at the time of lodging the nomination application. That's $4,800 for businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million and $7,200 for businesses with a turnover greater than $10 million.

Labour Market Testing

On 12 August 2018 the requirements for labour market testing are also changing requiring employers advertise the position for a minimum of 28 days before submitting a nomination application.

Where labour market testing is necessary, be aware that if the employment contract for the overseas worker is dated before the date your labour market testing completes, the application will be refused.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.