Approval period
Five years from the date Home Affairs approves the sponsorship.
Source: Home Affairs: Standard business sponsor (retrieved 4 October 2026)
For employers hiring overseas
Becoming a standard business sponsor in Australia
A standard business sponsor is an approved employer that can nominate overseas workers. Home Affairs lists a five-year sponsorship period from approval, proof that the business is legally established, no adverse information about the business or its associates, and a demonstrated commitment to employing local labour.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 4 October 2026.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Proof of legal establishment
An ABN registration certificate for an Australian employer, plus an ASIC company extract if the business is a company.
Source: Home Affairs: Standard business sponsor (retrieved 4 October 2026)
Local labour
Businesses in Australia should have a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour and must declare they will not engage in discriminatory recruitment.
Source: Home Affairs: Standard business sponsor (retrieved 4 October 2026)
When obligations start
Sponsorship obligations start on the day the standard business sponsorship is approved.
Source: Home Affairs: Sponsorship obligations for standard business sponsors (retrieved 4 October 2026)
Employer guide
What you need to know
What is sponsor approval, and how is it different from a nomination?
Sponsor approval is about the business. Home Affairs looks at whether the employer is legally established, suitable and committed to local hiring. A nomination is about one position and the person you want to fill it, and a visa application is about that person. Approval comes first because an employer cannot nominate anyone without it. Being approved does not mean every nomination will be approved. Each one is assessed on its own facts, including the salary and the occupation.
What does Home Affairs ask a business to show?
Home Affairs lists several requirements. The business must prove it is legally established, for example with an ABN registration certificate for an Australian employer, and with an ASIC company extract if it is a company. It must have no adverse information that affects its suitability, or it must be reasonable for the department to disregard what it knows. Businesses in Australia should also have a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour, and must declare they will not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices. Read the current page for the full list and the supporting documents.
How long does approval last?
Home Affairs lists five years from the date the sponsorship is approved as the sponsorship period for a standard business sponsor. Obligations begin on the day the sponsorship is approved, which means record-keeping and notification duties start before you have hired anyone. Put a diary note on the approval anniversary so renewal is handled before it lapses. The sponsor obligations guide on this site covers what you must keep and report.
What about accredited sponsors?
Home Affairs also describes an accredited sponsor category, with its own characteristics and a different approach to processing. It is intended for businesses that meet the listed criteria, so most first-time sponsors apply as standard business sponsors. If your business may qualify, read the accredited sponsor page and ask your registered migration agent which category suits your plans. CrossNation cannot assess eligibility or lodge the application for you.
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a sponsor before I recruit overseas candidates?
You need sponsor approval before you can nominate an overseas worker. A recruiter can start a search in parallel, but the nomination cannot be lodged without approval.
Does CrossNation apply for sponsor approval on my behalf?
No. The employer applies, usually with a registered migration agent. CrossNation is a recruitment agency and does not lodge applications.
What can stop a business being approved?
Home Affairs says it must not be aware of adverse information about the business or anyone associated with it that affects suitability, unless it is reasonable to disregard it.
Is a new business able to sponsor?
Home Affairs lists different evidence for businesses that do not currently operate in Australia. Read the sponsor page and get advice on your situation.
Is there an alternative to sponsor approval?
Some employers use a labour agreement instead. See the labour agreements and DAMA guide for how Home Affairs describes them.