Author: Sally Webster – Principal Legal Advisor
Employer-sponsored visas: key insights from Immigration Law Conference
The Australian Government continues to emphasise the importance of high-quality, decision-ready applications across employer-sponsored visa programs.
Our team attended the Immigration Law Conference hosted by the Law Council of Australia on 19 March 2026. In the Employer Sponsored Program Department session, the Department of Home Affairs shared practical insights into processing times, application trends, and common issues impacting sponsorship, nomination, and visa applications, particularly for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visas. We now share some key takeaways as your trusted partner.
Skills in Demand (SID) visa program
Insights
Since the introduction of the Skills in Demand visa on 7 December 2024, demand has increased significantly. As of 28 February 2026:
- 183,052 applications lodged
- 135,472 visas granted
The Core Skills stream continues to dominate:
- 76% of applications (139,051 lodgements)
- 79,413 visas granted
By comparison:
- Specialist Skills stream accounts for 13.2% of lodgements; and
- Labour Agreement stream represents 10.8%.
This growth reflects a broader trend. In combination, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) and the Skills in Demand visa program increased from 121,168 lodgements in 2023–24 to 164,860 in 2024–25 — a 36.1% increase.
While the SID framework is now well established, further changes are expected, with the Essential Skills pathway and other Migration Strategy measures still under review. The Department has not yet confirmed the increase in salary thresholds commencing 1 July 2026.
Where is the demand? Core skills occupations
Within the Core Skills stream, demand is concentrated in key sectors. For the 2025–26 program year (to 28 February 2026), the top occupations include:
- Food Trades Workers (13,703)
- Automotive Electricians and Mechanics (4,694)
- Business and Systems Analysts and Programmers (3,995)
- Medical Practitioners (3,907)
- Engineering and Technical roles across multiple categories
This highlights continued pressure across hospitality, trades, healthcare, and technology.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) program
Trends and backlog pressures
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) program has seen a significant increase in applications, particularly the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream:
- 7,184 applications (2022–23)
- 10,469 applications (2024–25)
- 8,585 applications (2025–26 to February)
As of February 2026, the Department is managing substantial volumes:
- 46,000 Direct Entry visa applications on hand
- 31,909 TRT visa applications on hand
With a planning level of 44,000 ENS places for 2025–26, these volumes may continue to impact processing times.
Key regulatory clarification: ENS TRT pathway
The Department explained that the changes introduced through the Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025 on 29 November 2026 mean the following in relation to a 186 visa in the TRT stream:
- The employer nominating the visa applicant does not necessarily need to hold an active standard business sponsorship at the time of ENS nomination
- Work experience can still count where applicants have changed employers, however the visa applicant must have been working with an approved sponsor in an approved nomination for their occupation for at least two years on a full-time basis
Processing priorities and what this means
ENS applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 105, with priority given to:
- Regional occupations
- Healthcare and teaching roles
- Accredited sponsors
- All other applications
Recent processing trends show that:
- Priority applications were generally lodged around May 2025
- Other applications being processed date back to June 2024
This may present issues considering that Employer Nominated Scheme applications are subject to Migration Planning Levels and Ministerial Direction No. 105. We refer to the Department’s website for further details here.
Processing times: current benchmarks
Subclass 186 (ENS)
Visa stream | Median processing time | 90th percentile |
Direct Entry | 12 months | 19 months |
Temporary Residence Transition | 13 months | 19 months |
Labour Agreement | 4 months | N/A |
Subclass 482 (SID /TSS)
Visa stream | Median processing time |
Specialist Skills | 14 days |
Core Skills | 3 months |
Labour Agreement | 4 months |
Legacy TSS streams | 10 months |
Processing time differences continue to reflect application quality, complexity and evidentiary completeness.
Common gaps in employer-sponsored applications
A critical issue: incomplete applications at lodgement
One of the most significant insights shared was that 58% of employer-sponsored applications are incomplete at the time of lodgement.
The Department highlighted recurring deficiencies across all stages of the process:
Sponsorship stage
- Insufficient evidence that the business is lawfully and actively trading
- Missing or outdated business structure documentation (e.g. trust deeds)
Nomination stage
- Unclear corporate structures (uncertain employing entity or work location)
- Weak organisational context or lack of position justification
- Inadequate position descriptions not aligned with ANZSCO
- Employment contracts not signed or current
- Missing financial evidence
- Incomplete Labour Market Testing evidence
- Incorrect or unsupported market salary information
Visa stage
- Missing police clearances
- Insufficient evidence of work experience (particularly proof of pay)
These gaps continue to be a key reason for delays and refusals.
Decision-ready applications: what the Department expects
The Department strongly encourages employers to lodge complete applications with all supporting evidence upfront, including detailed submissions where required.
Well-prepared applications allow:
- Faster processing
- Reduced requests for further information
- Greater consistency in decision-making
Frequently requested documents include:
- Skills assessments or exemption evidence
- Licensing or registration documentation
- Detailed CVs and employment references
- Military service records (where applicable)
At Absolute Immigration Group, we work with sponsors to ensure that we always provide decision ready applications whenever possible.
Get in touch
For support in preparing decision-ready applications or reviewing your current sponsorship processes, contact: admin@absoluteimmigrationlegal.com to talk to our Immigration Lawyers.