Australia is a popular migration destination that actively encourages skilled professionals to relocate and fill local labour shortages. Thousands of employers across various industries sponsor work visas to hire qualified foreign talent.
This article covers the top companies in Australia currently sponsoring work visas and actively recruiting overseas talent.
Work Visas in Australia
Many companies in Australia hire foreign workers through different programmes. They are;
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)—This visa allows highly skilled workers to migrate independently. It requires a skills assessment and eligibility points.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) – State-sponsored work visa for skilled professionals. Offers fast processing and extra points.
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) – For companies directly sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency.
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) – Short-term sponsored work visa for filling urgent talent gaps. Renewable for up to 4 years.
For any worker eligible for these programmes, employers must be approved as sponsors to nominate workers for permanent visas like subclass 186 and temporary subclass 482. The Approval process involves fulfilling requirements like minimum business background, financial health, recruitment systems, and job advertising efforts.
Sponsoring companies provide extensive support with immigration paperwork, visa fees, health checks, and relocation assistance.
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High Demand Industries Sponsoring Foreign Workers
The top in-demand professions being actively sponsored by Australian employers include:
IT & Technology – Software developers, programmers, systems analysts, AI/ML experts, cybersecurity professionals, etc. Highly competitive salaries.
Engineering – Civil, mechanical, chemical/mining, electrical, structure, and systems engineers. Major infrastructure projects require skilled engineers.
Healthcare—Doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, radiologists, dentists. The ageing population is driving healthcare talent shortages.
Construction – Project managers, quantity surveyors, architects, draftspersons, builders, electricians. Massive public infrastructure spending is underway.
Accounting & Finance– Tax consultants, auditors, financial analysts, and fund managers. Strong demand in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Education: School teachers, university lecturers, vocational skills trainers. Overseas teachers are highly sought after to fill the talent gap.
Top Companies in Australia Sponsoring Work Visas
Here are some of the leading Australian employers sponsoring work visas across high-demand sectors:
1. Major Banks
- Commonwealth Bank
- ANZ
- Westpac
- NAB
- Macquarie
Sponsorship is available for technology, finance, accounting, analytics, compliance, risk management, marketing, HR, and other roles—competitive salaries with relocation benefits.
2. Management & Professional Services Firms
- KPMG
- Deloitte
- EY
- PwC
- Accenture
- McKinsey
Consulting firms need qualified candidates for advisory, audit, tax, risk, compliance, and technology consulting services. Offer visa sponsorship and great career development.
3. Engineering & Construction Companies
- AECOM
- Jacobs
- Aurecon
- John Holland
- CPB Contractors
- Lendlease
Major engineering and infrastructure companies sponsor Australian work visas for civil, structural, geotechnical, transport, electrical, systems engineers and more technical specialists.
4. IT & Technology Companies
- Atlassian
- Canva
- Afterpay
- WiseTech Global
- Envato
- Culture Amp
Australia’s booming technology sector is hungry for talent. Receive Australia work visa sponsorship in roles like software engineering, product management, data analytics, cybersecurity, UX design and more.
5. Healthcare Providers
- Ramsay Health Care
- Sonic Healthcare
- Healius
- Ascension Healthcare
- Symbion Health
Public and private hospital groups sponsor overseas doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to address talent gaps in Australian healthcare.
6. Universities & Education Providers
- University of Sydney
- Monash University
- RMIT University
- Navitas
- Kaplan
Educational institutions sponsor international academics, researchers, lecturers, tutors, and other faculty members on work visas.
7. Mining & Energy Companies
- BHP
- Rio Tinto
- Woodside
- Santos
- Origin Energy
Oil, gas, and mining giants need engineers, technical specialists, project managers, etc., and provide extensive visa sponsorship support. They also pay high salaries in remote locations.
Tips for Securing Work Visa Sponsorship
Here are some top tips for international professionals looking to find an Australian employer willing to sponsor their work visa:
- Highlight relevant Australian experience—Employers considering sponsorship look favourably on even short stints of prior work or study in Australia.
- Research industries are facing talent shortages – Target in-demand sectors like healthcare, engineering, and tech, where sponsorship is more readily available.
- Obtain recognized qualifications – Degrees and certifications from reputable institutions give employers confidence in your skills.
- Fine-tune your visa pitch – Emphasize how you are an ideal fit for the role and can readily contribute to the employer’s needs.
- Express long-term commitment – Convey your interest in staying with the sponsoring employer if granted permanent residency.
- Have realistic expectations – Understand that the visa process requires time and extensive employer documentation.
- Consider regional opportunities – Smaller cities and rural areas need overseas talent and visa sponsorship availability.
- Leverage professional networks – Connect with Australians in your industry who can refer you to potential sponsoring employers.
Finding Open Job Opportunities with Visa Sponsorship
LinkedIn is the best resource for finding current job vacancies with visa sponsorship. You can search for open roles using relevant keywords like “Subclass 482,” “company sponsorship,” “skills shortage,” etc.
Many employers also list visa sponsorship details directly in the job advertisements on recruitment sites like Seek, Indeed, and Jora.
Industry associations and relevant Facebook groups are other places where sponsored job vacancies may be advertised. Subscribing to e-newsletters from top employers and recruitment agencies can keep you updated on the latest overseas hiring opportunities.
Applying for Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
When applying for Australian jobs offering work visa sponsorship, be sure to:
- Carefully assess that you meet all the job requirements.
- Highlight the credentials and experience that are aligned with the role.
- Mention your eligibility and interest in employer-sponsored visas.
- Provide complete details of your background, which is required for immigration purposes.
- Follow up promptly if you get a positive response from employers.
- Be responsive to provide documentation needed to advance the visa application.
- Maintain open communication with the sponsoring employer throughout the process.
Growth of Work Visa Programs in Australia
Australia plans to expand and simplify skilled work visa programs to attract more global talent across priority industries facing local shortages.
The country aims to fast-track permanent residency for certain sponsored skilled workers. New programs are also being launched to help overseas graduates transition to longer-term work visas after finishing Australian degrees.
This indicates that Australia will continue rolling out the welcome mat for qualified international professionals and make skilled migration more accessible in the coming years.
Conclusion
Australia offers incredible career opportunities for high-demand skills like healthcare, engineering, IT, education, finance, etc. Top employers are eager to sponsor work visas for global talent who can fill pressing talent gaps.
Employer sponsorship provides a direct pathway to permanent residency, so overseas professionals who succeed in securing a sponsored Australian work visa are set up for an exciting future.
