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Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) & Visa

What is this Visa?

The Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) & Visa is a key part of Australia’s employer-sponsored work visa system. It allows Australian businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill positions that cannot be filled by local talent. The SBS is the first step in the process for employers who wish to sponsor workers for the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa or other work-related visas.

Overview:

  • The Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)is an approval granted to businesses, enabling them to sponsor skilled workers from overseas.
  • Once a business is approved under the SBS, they can then nominate specific employees for positions requiring skills that are not readily available in the Australian labour market. These workers can apply for the TSS 482 Visa(Temporary Skills Shortage) or other relevant work visas.

Eligibility Requirements for Employers:

  1. Business Legitimacy: The sponsoring business must be a legally established Australian company and be actively operating. It must also demonstrate a genuine need for skilled workers to fill the vacancies.
  2. Compliance with Workplace Laws: The business must comply with Australian workplace laws, including fair wages, employment conditions, and health and safety regulations.
  3. Commitment to Sponsorship: The employer must prove they have the capacity to sponsor overseas workers and meet certain financial and operational requirements.
  4. Labour Market Testing: In many cases, the business must demonstrate that they have made genuine efforts to employ Australian workers before seeking overseas talent.

Eligibility Requirements for Employees (Workers):

  1. Skilled Occupation: Workers must be nominated for an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL)and meet the skill level requirements.
  2. Qualifications and Experience: The applicant must have the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience for the nominated position.
  3. English Proficiency: Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements, typically demonstrated through an approved English test (e.g., IELTS or PTE).
  4. Health and Character: Applicants must meet health and character requirements, including health checks and police clearance.

How It Works:

  1. Business Sponsorship Approval: The employer applies for the SBS, which grants them the authority to sponsor overseas workers for specific roles.
  2. Nomination: Once the business is approved, it can nominate a specific worker for a role within the company, usually for a TSS 482 Visa.
  3. Visa Application: The nominated worker applies for the visa, which, once granted, allows them to work in Australia for the duration of the contract (usually 2 to 4 years depending on the visa stream).

The SBS & Visa system streamlines the process for both employers and overseas workers, allowing businesses to tap into global talent pools while ensuring compliance with Australian immigration and labour laws.