Ultimate Guide To Finding an Employer Sponsor in Australia

Are you spending nights scrolling through job openings only to find “Must have Australian work rights” at the bottom of each description? 

If you’ve answered yes, we’re here to tell you you’re not alone. Many visa applicants have the same experience before securing a job in Australia. But how do they go from applying for countless vacancies to successfully working and living in Australia?  They get an employer sponsor.

In this guide, we explain how you can get one too. But before this, learn what an employer sponsor is and why they’re essential for visa applicants. 

What Is an Employer Sponsor?

An employer sponsor is a company that helps skilled workers get jobs and live in a new country. Unlike recruiters, who typically specialise in hiring applicants, sponsors focus on the recruitment, visa sponsorship and immigration process. They also often cover you and your family’s immigration and relocation expenses. 

Why Are Sponsors Important for Visa Applicants in Australia? 

Sponsors are vital to ensure visa applicants receive job opportunities, legal working rights and financial support when relocating to Australia. 

• Legal requirement: To be successful in Australia, some visas, like the 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa, must be legally sponsored by an authorised employer. 
• Job offer: An employment offer can improve your chances of securing a working or permanent residence visa.
• Financial support: To avoid relying on the government, applicants must prove they can financially support themselves in Australia. An employer sponsor can offer a job and economic means to live comfortably. 
• Overseeing visa applications: Applying for a visa is an intricate process requiring experience and knowledge. Sponsors have the resources to help with your application and ensure a smooth process. 
• Approval: Visa applications can be rejected for various reasons that are sometimes out of your control. While these instances can be normal, they can set you back financially. A sponsor can streamline your application, improve your submission, and increase your chances of approval. 
• Community support: Sponsors go beyond recruitment to help you transition and offer a support network and community. 

How To Find an Employer Sponsor in Australia 

Finding a reliable employer sponsor requires some time and knowledge. Here are some tips for researching and finding employer sponsors. 

1. Research Visa Options

Australia has various working visa options, and understanding them can help you choose the right one. But with many options, you may wonder where and how to start researching them. To help you get started, we’ve listed some research steps and helpful resources. 

• Do a web search for skilled sponsored worker visas in Australia. 
• Read through the visa options and jot down the most relevant ones.
• Next, research the skilled occupations list to learn if your skill or profession is eligible for sponsorship. 
• Narrow down the visas most suitable for your skills and goals.
• Do more research on your options and understand their requirements.  
  

  2. Identify Companies With Sponsorship Options 

Now that you have some visa options, it’s time to identify potential companies with sponsorship options. Many businesses do not advertise their sponsorships, so you must do some digging. Here are some tips for researching sponsor companies: 

• Define your occupation: What is your job title and experience level? Focus on job-specific details when researching online. For example, if you’re in IT, avoid researching IT professional jobs, as they can be too broad or vague. Instead, search for a specific title, such as “senior software engineer” or “mid-senior web developer.” 
• Target a location: If you have a preferred state, focus your search on these areas. For example, “senior software engineer jobs in Melbourne.” If you haven’t had any luck with this, try broadening your search to target multiple areas in Australia. 
• Search by industry: Maybe you have experience in different jobs, or you’re considering changing roles in your industry. In this instance, it’s a good idea to research various industries. For example, you can type in “Educational Jobs in Sydney” or “Tech Jobs in Melbourne”. Narrow down some vacancies and companies based on the results. 
• Use online job portals: Consider Australian and popular job boards like Seek, Hatch, Indeed and LinkedIn. Type specific keywords into the search tab, like “visa sponsorship”, and select Australia as your target location. Use the filters to search by job title, experience level, and specific region and create job alerts. Job sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to find and recommend jobs based on your keyword search and profile. 
• Research company websites: If you have some companies in mind, visit their website and look for sponsorship opportunities or contact details.
• Contact recruitment agencies: Search for recruitment agencies in Australia specialising in recruiting skilled overseas workers. Some examples include Randstad, Addeco, and Manpower. 
• Utilise your network: If you have friends, previous colleagues, or other connections who work for a company in Australia, contact them. Ask if their company is hiring or if they know of vacancies with sponsorship offers.
   

3. Focus on Regional Areas

Look for sponsorship companies in regional areas or locations outside major Australian cities. These areas are often less attractive because of their distance, so the job market may be less competitive. Many are also expanding and offering more sponsored work opportunities for skilled workers. 

4. Connect With Employers

Shortlist companies you’re interested in and connect with hiring managers or employees on LinkedIn. Send them a message that clearly states your objective. If you are enquiring about a current vacancy, ask if they can put you in touch with a hiring manager or decision-maker. 

If you’re speaking with the recruiter, explain your interest and ask if you can schedule a meeting or interview. 

You should also contact employers even if they aren’t advertising a role. There may be a chance that they need someone with your skills. You won’t know until you ask. 

Tips for Asking Employers To Sponsor You

After finding and setting up a meeting with potential companies, you’ll need to ask them to sponsor you. This step is one of the most challenging, but with skill and effort, you can get it right. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your meeting and secure your sponsorship. 

Look for Resource Gaps

Do your due diligence before contacting or meeting with a potential employer: 

• Conduct an internet search and use resources like AI to thoroughly research the company and understand its history, goals, strengths and weaknesses, challenges, and skill gaps.
• Assess how your skills and experience can fill various gaps or help solve some of their challenges. 

Create a Proposal 

A sponsorship proposal is a presentation that includes solutions you’d like to offer the company and visa options with completed requirements. It demonstrates your desire to work and contribute to an organisation’s success and highlights your preparedness and proactiveness in obtaining visa sponsorship. 

Businesses may be more willing to invest in someone enthusiastic about the company’s goals and growth and well-informed in their sponsorship. 

Here’s how to create yours:

• Create a document or presentation describing some of the challenges and gaps you found in your research. 
• Explain how your skills can solve some of their current gaps and challenges. 
• Add innovative ways the company can reach their goals and what part you can play.
• Use accurate graphs and statistics to back up your solutions if needed.
• Offer action plans with deliverables and timelines. 
• Next, compile your visa options with completed paperwork, such as police clearances, skills assessment tests, and medicals. 

Put the Company First

At your meeting or interview, avoid rushing to ask for sponsorship and let the meeting or interview proceed normally. Asking too early can make it seem like you’re only in it for yourself and not concerned about the employer’s needs or goals. Here’s what to do instead.

• Listen attentively and answer the questions an employer or hiring manager asks you.
• Use what you’ve researched to help guide your answers. 
• When it’s your turn to ask questions, show your interest and enthusiasm by asking well-thought-out questions
• At the end of your questions, politely ask about sponsorship and offer your proposal. For example, you can say, “Before I conclude my questioning, I would like to share a proposal.”  
• Present your digital or physical document and explain the solutions you’ve identified to help the company reach its goals or fill a gap. 
• Explain how you’ll implement these solutions and your deliverables and timelines.
• Present your visa research with completed requirements. 

Once you’ve presented your proposal, ask for feedback and discuss potential sponsorship further. 

Follow Up

If you don’t receive an offer after your meeting or interview, ensure you follow up and stay in touch with an employer. Some companies may not have the resources to sponsor you right away. However, staying in touch can increase your chances of them considering you for a future opportunity. 

Manage Your Expectations

Securing visa sponsorship is an intricate process that can take some trial and error before getting it right. It’s important to remember that these decisions aren’t always in your control, and some may not go your way. Avoid putting too much pressure on yourself, and take every “not yet” or “not now” as a redirection to another opportunity. 

Get Help From the Experts at AustraliaMigrate 

AustraliaMigrate is a leading immigration and visa services provider specialising in employer sponsorship visas. We help you with every step of your visa application, from consultation to completing essential paperwork. With our tailored approach, we take time to understand your needs and find the best migration opportunities. 

Our team of professionals are experienced in Australia visa sponsorships and know the challenges and intricacies of the process. We guide and advise you and your family and support you throughout your journey. 

Contact us online today to move closer to your new life in Australia.