Employer-Sponsored Work Visas
Compare subclass 482 temporary sponsorship, subclass 186 permanent employer nomination and subclass 494 regional sponsorship with current 2026-27 salary settings.
2026-27 income threshold snapshot
These figures apply to relevant nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. The annual market salary rate and other nomination requirements must also be met.
Salary is not only a threshold check. Where the salary is below AUD250,000, the employer must correctly determine the annual market salary rate and pay the sponsored worker no less than an equivalent Australian worker.
Choose the pathway to review
The correct pathway depends on the role, work location, employer, occupation, salary, applicant history and whether permanent residence is available now or later.
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand
Temporary employer sponsorship through Core Skills, Specialist Skills or a Labour Agreement stream where available.
TemporaryUp to 4 yearsEmployer sponsor
Review subclass 482 
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination
Permanent employer nomination through Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry or a Labour Agreement stream where available.
PermanentEmployer nomination
Review subclass 186 
Subclass 494 Regional Sponsorship
A five-year provisional visa for eligible employer-sponsored positions in designated regional Australia.
Regional5 years191 pathway
Review subclass 494 Compare before choosing
A temporary pathway, immediate permanent nomination and regional sponsorship solve different workforce needs. Compare the duration, location, salary setting, applicant requirements and possible permanent residence pathway side by side.
- Check whether the position is in a designated regional area.
- Compare guaranteed earnings with the threshold and annual market salary rate.
- Confirm occupation, duties, skills assessment and work experience requirements.
- Plan any permanent residence pathway without assuming it is automatic.
Employer planning guides
Use the guide that matches the decision you are making now, then send the completed details for agent review.
Sponsorship guide
Business eligibility, sponsorship status and ongoing sponsor obligations.
Read sponsorship guideNomination guide
Position, genuine need, labour market testing, contract and nomination evidence.
Read nomination guideSalary and AMSR
Income thresholds, annual market salary rate and evidence for equivalent workers.
Read salary guideOccupation matching
Align the proposed title, actual duties, skill level and nominated occupation.
Read occupation guide482 to 186 planning
Track eligible sponsored employment, nomination timing and permanent residence readiness.
Read pathway guide494 to subclass 191
Keep regional, employment, visa-condition and tax evidence for the later permanent stage.
Read subclass 191 guideEmployer-sponsored application workflow
Each stage should be reviewed as part of one evidence strategy.
Business
Confirm the entity, trading position, workforce and sponsorship status.
Position
Document the genuine role, location, reporting line and employment terms.
Occupation
Match the main duties and skill level to the proposed occupation.
Salary
Establish AMSR, guaranteed earnings and the relevant income threshold.
Applicant
Check experience, skills, English, age, health, character and visa history.
Employer enquiry checklist
Providing these details at the start helps identify the correct subclass and the evidence gaps.
- ABN, legal entity, trading history and business location.
- Organisation chart, position description and reporting line.
- Proposed salary, guaranteed earnings and market salary evidence.
- Worker CV, qualifications, references, English and current visa.
Frequently asked questions
Which visa is best for a regional employer?
Subclass 494 may be relevant when the position is in a designated regional area, but subclass 482 or 186 can also need comparison depending on the employer, role and worker.
Can salary packaging count toward the threshold?
The threshold and AMSR rules focus on annual earnings and exclude non-monetary benefits from the relevant guaranteed earnings calculation. The proposed package should be reviewed before nomination.
Can a 482 visa lead to subclass 186?
It can support a later pathway in some cases, including Temporary Residence Transition, but the later 186 criteria and employment history must be met.
Need an employer-sponsored visa strategy?
Send the business, role, salary, location and worker details for a structured review.