Looking for 482 visa sponsorship jobs in Australia? You’re in the right place.
In this comprehensive Visascape Guide, we break down exactly how to find and win a 482 visa sponsorship job. This guide will show you where to look, how to stand out to Australian employers, and which industries and companies are actively hiring international talent.
From optimising your CV and LinkedIn profile to targeting approved sponsors and uncovering hidden job markets, this guide is your roadmap to turning ambition into opportunity.
But landing one of these sponsored jobs isn’t as simple as hitting “apply”—it requires strategy, insight, and a clear understanding of how the system works. So read on …
482 Visa Application Snapshot
The core purpose of the 482 visa enables Australian employers to address genuine labour shortages by sponsoring skilled international workers when they cannot find a suitably skilled Australian to fill the position.
The application process is a tripartite one, involving three distinct and sequential steps:
Sponsorship
The business must first apply to the Department of Home Affairs and be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). This demonstrates the business is legitimate and has the capacity to meet sponsorship obligations.
Nomination
Once approved as a sponsor, the employer nominates a specific skilled position within their company and identifies a prospective employee (the visa applicant) to fill that role.
Visa Application
Only after the sponsorship and nomination are in place can the skilled worker formally be granted their 482 visas.
Note – whilst it is industry best practice to lodge these applications in stages and await outcome, the applications can be submitted simultaneously where necessary
Who is getting 482 Sponsorship Jobs?
The subclass 482 visa program is dynamic, with the Australian Government adjusting skilled occupation lists and priority processing arrangements in response to changing economic needs.
Key Demographics of Temporary Skilled Visa Holders (including 482):
- Gender: There is a relatively balanced distribution between male and female visa holders, with a slight male majority.
- Age: Most temporary skilled visa holders fall within the 25-44 age bracket, representing a prime working-age demographic.
- Country of Origin: India, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and South Africa have historically been significant source countries for skilled workers on temporary visas in Australia.
Where are the Employers who offer 482 Sponsorship Jobs?
New South Wales and Victoria are the primary locations for temporary skilled visa holders, reflecting their large economies and diverse job markets.
The number and type of companies sponsoring 482 visa holders vary significantly across Australia’s
states and territories, mirroring their unique economic strengths.
| State/Territory | Top Sponsoring Industries |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Information Media & Telecommunications, Healthcare & Social Assistance |
| Victoria | Healthcare & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Manufacturing |
| Queensland | Healthcare & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Construction |
| Western Australia | Mining, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Construction |
| South Australia | Healthcare & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services |
| Tasmania | Healthcare & Social Assistance, Accommodation & Food Services, Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing |
| Australian Capital Territory | Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Public Administration & Safety, Healthcare & Social Assistance |
| Northern Territory | Healthcare & Social Assistance, Accommodation & Food Services, Public Administration & Safety |
Who are the Employers that are 482 Sponsors?
- IT & Telecommunications: Atlassian, Canva, Telstra, Optus, TPG Telecom, REA Group
- Finance & Insurance: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, ANZ, Westpac, Suncorp, IAG
- Mining & Resources: BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group, Woodside Energy, Santos
- Consulting: Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG, Accenture, McKinsey & Company
- Construction & Engineering: Lendlease, CIMIC Group, John Holland, Aurecon, GHD
- Healthcare: Numerous public and private hospitals, and aged care providers across all states.
- Hospitality: Major hotel chains and restaurant groups.
- Manufacturing: Various companies in the food and beverage, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
- Education: Universities and other educational institutions.
- Retail: Some large retail chains.
Where to Find 482 Sponsorship Jobs Online
Leading 482 Job Platforms and How to Use Them
Niche and Industry-Specific Job Platforms
For those in specialised fields, industry-specific job boards can offer more targeted listings. While these platforms may not have a dedicated “visa sponsorship” filter, a keyword search can often reveal suitable vacancies.
Alternatives to Job Boards
Beyond directly searching job advertisements, there are other effective methods to identify potential sponsoring employers.
By leveraging these online resources and adopting a multi-faceted search strategy, prospective 482 visa applicants can significantly enhance their chances of securing employment with a sponsoring Australian company. Remember to tailor your resume and cover letter to each application, highlighting the skills and experience that make you a strong candidate for sponsorship.
How Long is the 482 Visa Process?
As of early 2025, there is a significant backlog of Subclass 482 visa applications. While exact numbers of applications in progress by industry and state are not publicly disclosed, reports indicate a substantial increase in lodgements over the past year.
This has led to extended processing times for many applicants. The Department of Home Affairs is reportedly working to clear this backlog. The high volume of applications underscores the continued reliance of Australian businesses on skilled migration to fill critical roles.
How You Can Win a 482 Sponsorship Job – 7 Tips to Follow.
An application that meets local professional standards is the foundation of any successful job search. A tailored Australian-style Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letter is a powerful signal to potential employers that you:
- Have conducted thorough research
- Are serious about your application
- Are prepared to integrate into the Australian professional environment.
Deconstructing the Australian CV (Résumé)
In Australia, the terms “CV” and “résumé” are used interchangeably to refer to the same document. However, its format and content expectations can differ significantly from those in other parts of the world. You need to take into account:
- Length
- Format
- Language and Spelling
- What to Omit (Critical for Anti-Discrimination Compliance)
CV (Résumé)
Sections
An effective Australian CV is structured into clear, logical sections:
- Header
- Career Profile/Summary
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- References
Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter
The cover letter is not a mere formality or a summary of the CV; it is a letter of persuasion. It must be strictly limited to one A4 page and meticulously tailored for every single application submitted.
Navigating Australia’s major online job boards requires a strategic approach that goes far beyond basic searches. A simple query for a common profession like “Accountant” or “Software Developer” will yield thousands of results, the vast majority of which are intended for local candidates and are not open to sponsorship.
The key to an efficient and effective search is the use of precise filtering and strategic keywords to isolate the small but valuable subset of employers actively seeking to sponsor international talent.
Supercharge Your LinkedIn Profile
A job application does not end with the submission of a CV. A recruiter or hiring manager’s immediate next step is almost invariably a visit to the candidate’s LinkedIn profile. This digital handshake is a critical touchpoint.
Transform your LinkedIn profile into a powerful tool for the Australian job market by making key adjustments to:
- Professional Photograph
- Headline
- “About” Section
- Experience Section
- Skills & Endorsements
- Recommendations
Strategic Networking: From Passive to Active
An optimised profile is the foundation for proactive networking.
- Follow Target Companies
- Identify Key People
- The Personalised Connection Request
- Engage, Then Inquire
Joining Strategic Conversations
Joining relevant Australian industry groups on LinkedIn and;
- Actively participate in discussions
- Sharing relevant insights
- Answer questions
The Skills in Demand and Temporary skills shortage groups on Facebook that are facilitated by Visascape regularly have employers/recruiters seeking qualified individuals in several industries.
Given the competition for advertised jobs, this is arguably the most powerful and transformative strategy in the entire job search process. Rather than applying to hundreds of companies with no certainty of their willingness or ability to sponsor, you can focus your efforts on employers that have already been vetted and approved by the Department of Home Affairs. This approach dramatically increases the probability of success, saves enormous amounts of time, and directs energy toward the most promising targets.
For a visa applicant, securing a job offer from an Accredited Sponsor offers unparalleled advantages that can drastically simplify and accelerate the entire migration process.
- Priority Processing
- Simplified Evidentiary Requirements
- Higher Certainty and Reliability
Given the competition for advertised jobs, this is arguably the most powerful and transformative strategy in the entire job search process. Rather than applying to hundreds of companies with no certainty of their willingness or ability to sponsor, you can focus your efforts on employers that have already been vetted and approved by the Department of Home Affairs. This approach dramatically increases the probability of success, saves enormous amounts of time, and directs energy toward the most promising targets.
For a visa applicant, securing a job offer from an Accredited Sponsor offers unparalleled advantages that can drastically simplify and accelerate the entire migration process.
- Priority Processing
- Simplified Evidentiary Requirements
- Higher Certainty and Reliability
Research the Skilled Occupation Lists
The first step in this alignment process is to verify that your occupation is eligible for sponsorship. The government maintains official lists of occupations that are in demand.
- The New Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- Legacy Lists
- ANZSCO Code
Industry Targeting
Focusing a job search on these high-demand industries significantly increases the chances of finding an employer open to the process. Key sectors include:
- Healthcare and Social Assistance
- Education and Training
- Information Technology
- Engineering and Construction Trades
- Hospitality
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
Expanding a job search to include regional areas offers several distinct advantages:
- Less Competition
- Higher Demand
- Access to Specialised Visas
- Lifestyle and Cost of Living
Download our Complete Guide for more information about regional opportunities, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa (Subclass 494)
A proactive strategy of direct outreach can uncover opportunities that are not publicly listed. Take the intelligence gathered in the preceding steps and use it to engage potential employers directly, shifting from a passive applicant to an active business prospect. This method is most effective when it is highly targeted and professional.
- Build the Target List:
- Identify the Right Contact
- Craft the Outreach Message
