MARN: 2619225 Registered Migration Agent OMARA Verified Profile ↗
Melbourne: AEST
| +61 424 295 050

How Much Does 482 Visa Sponsorship Cost Employers?

Full breakdown of 482 visa sponsorship costs for Australian employers in 2026 — SBS fee, nomination charge, SAF levy & visa costs. Get a personalised quote from Australian Immigration Consultants.

Why Choose Us?

Expert Visa Consultation

PR Pathway Planning

Tailored Eligibility Check

Free Initial Consultation

Transparent Pricing

Dedicated Support

Sponsoring a skilled overseas worker under the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa isn't a single fee — it's a stack of government charges across three separate stages, plus one levy that catches many employers off guard. Here's exactly what it costs in 2026, and who's legally responsible for paying it.

The Three-Stage Fee Structure

Every 482 sponsorship involves three linked applications, each with its own government charge:

  1. Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) application — approximately $560 for standard businesses, $280 for small businesses (fewer than 10 employees). Valid for 5 years and can cover multiple nominations.
  2. Nomination fee — $330 per nominated position, across all three SID streams.
  3. Visa application charge (VAC) — $4,015 for the primary applicant (2026–27 schedule, effective 1 July 2026), and $4,015 for each adult secondary applicant, or $1,005 per dependant under 18.

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy — Usually the Biggest Cost

The SAF levy is paid by the employer at nomination stage, upfront, for the full nomination period (up to 4 years):

  • $1,200 per year for businesses with annual turnover under $10 million
  • $1,800 per year for businesses with turnover of $10 million or more

For a 4-year nomination, that's $4,800–$7,200 paid in one lump sum — often the single largest cost in the whole process.

What This Adds Up To

For a single 4-year Core Skills nomination, small-business employers are typically looking at $3,000–$7,000+ in combined government charges alone — before migration agent fees, health checks, English tests, or police certificates, which are the applicant's responsibility.

Who's Legally Allowed to Pay What

This is where many employers get caught out. Under the Migration Act, the SBS fee, nomination fee, and SAF levy must be paid by the employer and can never be passed on to the sponsored worker — directly, indirectly, or via salary deductions. Doing so is a sponsorship obligation breach with real compliance consequences. The visa application charge and personal costs (health checks, English tests, police checks) are the employee's responsibility.

Calculate Your Sponsorship Costs

Not sure what your total sponsorship cost will actually look like once turnover, visa length and dependants are factored in? Get a personalised cost estimate from Australian Immigration Consultants before you commit to sponsoring — it takes minutes and removes the guesswork.

Get a Personalised Estimate
Consultation Sidebar Form
Consultation Request

Start your
journey.

Speak directly with registered migration professionals to evaluate your visa pathways.

Registered Agent MARN: 2619225 QEAC: 12906

What This Adds Up To

For a single 4-year Core Skills nomination, small-business employers are typically looking at $3,000–$7,000+ in combined government charges alone — before migration agent fees, health checks, English tests, or police certificates, which are the applicant's responsibility.

Who's Legally Allowed to Pay What

This is where many employers get caught out. Under the Migration Act, the SBS fee, nomination fee, and SAF levy must be paid by the employer and can never be passed on to the sponsored worker — directly, indirectly, or via salary deductions. Doing so is a sponsorship obligation breach with real compliance consequences. The visa application charge and personal costs (health checks, English tests, police checks) are the employee's responsibility.

Fees Change Every 1 July — Don't Rely on Old Numbers

Home Affairs indexes these charges annually. The figures above reflect the 2026–27 schedule. Always confirm current fees on the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator before budgeting or lodging.

How Australian Immigration Consultants Can Help

Getting the cost structure wrong — or accidentally shifting a levy onto your employee — can trigger sponsorship compliance issues that put your entire program at risk. At Australian Immigration Consultants, we help employers calculate exact sponsorship costs, structure nominations correctly, and stay compliant with SAF levy and cost-recovery rules from day one.

FAQs

Q: Can employers pass the SAF levy on to the sponsored employee? A: No. The SAF levy, SBS fee, and nomination fee must legally be paid by the employer and cannot be recovered from the worker in any form.

Q: How much is the SAF levy for a small business? A: $1,200 per year of the nomination period for businesses with annual turnover under $10 million, paid upfront.

Q: What's the total cost to sponsor one 482 visa worker? A: Typically $3,000–$7,000+ in combined government charges for a small business over a 4-year nomination, excluding migration agent fees and the worker's personal costs.

Q: Do sponsorship fees change every year? A: Yes — Home Affairs indexes visa and sponsorship charges annually, usually effective 1 July, so always confirm current figures before budgeting.

TOP