An Employer Sponsored Visa or an Australian Skilled Visa? Make the Right Choice

When it comes to Australian visas, there is a misperception between Employer Sponsored visa in Australia and Australian Skilled Independent visas. For professionals of many fields, there is no choice, as their visas depend completely on job offers. However, there are many others who are given the choice, and this blog explains which one to go for, in details.

An Employer Sponsored Visa or General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visa?

Types of Employer Sponsored Visas include the following:

• Temporary Skilled Work Visa (Subclass 457) – Temporary Residency
• Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) – Permanent Residency
• RSMS Regional sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) – Permanent Residency

Types of General Skilled Migration Visa in Australia include the following:

• Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) – Permanent residency
• Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) – Permanent residency
• Skilled Regional visa (Subclass 489) – Provisional residency

Costs

If you apply for an Employer Sponsored Visa, the employers, who are obligated to do it, generally incur the costs. However, this only pertains to the subclass 457, 186 and 187 visas. There are a number of conditions where employees have to sign an agreement that states that the employee cannot quit the employment for a certain period after his/her visa application is approved.

General Skilled Migration subclass 189, 190 and 489 visas do not have such obligations or restrictions. It is entirely based on the skills, qualifications or work experience you possess.

Healthcare

Subclass 457 visa holders must hold the relevant private Health Insurance. Whereas, General Skilled Migration, Subclass 186 & 187 visas offer applicants with Medicare benefits, that allows them to seek healthcare support from the national healthcare system or Medicare in Australia.

Education

The public school system of Australia is accessible for enrolment for children of Permanent visa holders.

For subclass 457 visas, the policies vary from state to state. In certain states, you may have to incur costs on your own. In some others, policies are less stringent, and employees might be allowed to share costs.

Work Rights

Holders of Subclass 189 visas have no restrictions in terms of where they can work and which employers they can work for. However, holders of Subclass 190 and 489 visas are granted these privileges depending on which state or region they live in.


Holders of Employer Sponsored Visas 457, 186 and 187 have restrictions of working with the sponsoring employer for a certain number of years depending on the visa type and sponsorship validity.

Location

Subclass 457 visa holders must be employed and sponsored by a business legally operating in Australia. Same for Subclass 186 there aren’t any restriction on location. However, subclass 187 RSMS holders must be sponsored and employed by a business in a Regional area of Australia.

Subclass 189 visas have no location restrictions either, unlike subclass 190 and 489 visas that depend on the state or particular region in Australia. Permission must be sought before any change in location. Your visa may be affected adversely otherwise.

Pathways to Citizenship

Australian citizenship requires a permanent resident visa for a minimum of one year, and a suitable visa for a period of 4 years prior to the lodgement of Citizenship application.

Timescales

For short term stay in Australia and quickest possible migration to Australia, subclass 457 is ideal, as it allows both work and residence in Australia. However, for long-term stay in the country, a permanent residency visa is appropriate.

Employer sponsored subclass 457, 186 and 187 visa may take between 3-8 months to be decided and whereas subclass 189, 190 and 489 depend on the number of factors such as invitation on the skillselect portal, state sponsorship, and points the skilled migrant holds under the points test system. The minimum points needed for a skilled visa is 60.

What should you do?

If you have the benefit of making a choice and if you meet the requirements or skills, apply for the Subclass 189 visa for the best combination of benefits.

Author Bio

Jaya Butani is an expert on issues pertaining to individuals applying for visa for Australia. Among some of the most well-known immigration agents in Perth, Jaya has thorough knowledge of what it takes to move to Australia.