The employer sponsored visa stream formed approximately 29.5% of the total skilled visa intake in 2020-2021. This is a significant proportion of visa types that are granted based on employer sponsorship. It is valuable to identify the top occupations for employer sponsored streams to identify potential prospects for visa applicants.
Migration Program Report
The Department of Home Affairs released the Migration Program Report that specifies the top occupation groups that were granted visas specific to the Employer Sponsored visa category. The breakdown of the top occupation groups for employer sponsored visa is as follows:
186 Visa
Visa Subclass 186 – Top 20 ANZSCO Occupations
Subclass 186 visa is an employer nomination scheme visa as it requires the applicant to be sponsored by an employer. The Department of Home Affairs has released information regarding the top occupations nominated in subclass 186. The following table identifies the top 20 nominated occupations for subclass 186 and the number of lodged nominations for each occupation.
Occupation |
Lodged Nominations |
|
| 1 | Chef (ANZSCO 351311) | 688 |
| 2 | Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313) | 655 |
| 3 | Accountant (General) (ANZSCO 221111) | 461 |
| 4 | ICT Business Analyst (ANZSCO 261111) | 419 |
| 5 | University Lecturer (ANZSCO 242111) | 400 |
| 6 | Cook (ANZSCO 351411) | 381 |
| 7 | Developer Programmer (ANZSCO 261312) | 376 |
| 8 | General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111) | 283 |
| 9 | Motor Mechanic (General) (ANZSCO 321211) | 273 |
| 10 | Specified in Labour Agreement (LA) (ANZSCO 070499) | 266 |
| 11 | Café or Restaurant Manager (ANZSCO 141111) | 251 |
| 12 | Management Consultant (ANZSCO 224711) | 226 |
| 13 | Computer Network and Systems Engineer (ANZSCO 263111) | 202 |
| 14 | Carpenter (ANZSCO 331212) | 201 |
| 15 | Civil Engineer (ANZSCO 233211) | 188 |
| 16 | Mechanical Engineer (ANZSCO 233512) | 139 |
| 17 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (ANZSCO 254412) | 126 |
| 18 | Management Accountant (ANZSCO 221112) | 120 |
| 19 | External Auditor (ANZSCO 221213) | 109 |
| 20 | Marketing Specialist (ANZSCO 225113) | 108 |
Subclass 186 visa – Top 5 Sponsoring Industries by State/Territory
The Department of Home Affairs have also detailed the top 5 industries for subclass 186 visa in each state/territory that are sponsoring applicants by approved nominations and subsequent visa grants.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Education and Training | 44 | 80 |
| Other Services | 15 | 23 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 12 | 34 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical | 10 | 34 |
| Construction | 5 | 7 |
New South Wales (NSW)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical | 967 | 1726 |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 783 | 1474 |
| Construction | 518 | 960 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 475 | 1057 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 324 | 632 |
Northern Territory (NT)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 9 | 28 |
| Other Services | 9 | 18 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 8 | 10 |
| Education and Training | 5 | 16 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 5 | 13 |
Queensland (QLD)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 209 | 549 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 181 | 342 |
| Education and Training | 102 | 252 |
| Other Services | 94 | 220 |
| Construction | 83 | 152 |
South Australia (SA)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 28 | 66 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 27 | 89 |
| Manufacturing | 14 | 55 |
| Construction | 11 | 26 |
| Education and Training | 10 | 29 |
Tasmania (TAS)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 25 | 65 |
| Education and Training | 6 | 16 |
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | <5 | 11 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | <5 | <5 |
| Construction | <5 | <5 |
Victoria (VIC)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 575 | 997 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 413 | 932 |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 279 | 549 |
| Construction | 200 | 366 |
| Other Services | 191 | 447 |
Western Australia (WA)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 175 | 424 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 163 | 353 |
| Construction | 100 | 189 |
| Other Services | 79 | 173 |
| Manufacturing | 56 | 168 |
494 visa
Subclass 494 visa – Top 20 ANZSCO Occupations
Subclass 494 visa is an employer sponsored visa that is specific to regional areas of Australia. It allows regional employers to sponsor applicants and address the skilled labour shortages they are experiencing within their organization. The Department of Home Affairs has released information regarding the top occupations nominated in subclass 494. The following table identifies the top 20 nominated occupations for subclass 494 and the number of lodged nominations for each occupation.
Subclass 494 visa – Top 5 Sponsoring Industries by State/Territory
The Department of Home Affairs have also detailed the top 5 industries for visa subclass 494 in each state/territory that are sponsoring applicants by approved nominations and subsequent visa grants.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 7 | 8 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 5 | 5 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | <5 | 11 |
| Education and Training | <5 | 6 |
| Other Services | <5 | <5 |
New South Wales (NSW)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 65 | 95 |
| Retail Trade | 16 | 9 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 13 | 27 |
| Manufacturing | 8 | 6 |
| Other Services | 8 | 16 |
Northern Territory (NT)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Accommodation and Food Services | <5 | <5 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | <5 | <5 |
| Other Services | <5 | – |
| Retail Trade | <5 | <5 |
Queensland (QLD)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 52 | 92 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 51 | 80 |
| Other Services | 22 | 39 |
| Retail Trade | 13 | 23 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 12 | 24 |
South Australia (SA)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 8 | 15 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 5 | 5 |
| Other Services | <5 | 6 |
| Arts and Recreation Services | <5 | <5 |
| Construction | <5 | 5 |
Tasmania (TAS)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | <5 | <5 |
| Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | <5 | <5 |
| Other Services | <5 | – |
| Retail Trade | <5 | <5 |
| Wholesale Trade | <5 | <5 |
Victoria (VIC)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 16 | 17 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical | 7 | 14 |
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | <5 | 7 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | <5 | 9 |
| Other Services | <5 | 6 |
Western Australia (WA)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 56 | 64 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 30 | 65 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 28 | 52 |
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 20 | 9 |
| Other Services | 20 | 38 |
482 Visa
Visa Subclass 482 – Top 20 ANZSCO Occupations
Visa Subclass 482 is a temporary skill shortage visa that allows employers to sponsor applicants to temporarily fulfill a shortage where the organization is unable to find a skilled Australian. The Department of Home Affairs has released information regarding the top occupations nominated in subclass 482. The following table identifies the top 20 nominated occupations for subclass 482 and the number of lodged nominations for each occupation.
| Occupation | Lodged Nominations | |
| 1 | Chef (ANZSCO 351311) | 1664 |
| 2 | Resident Medical Officer (ANZSCO 253112) | 1585 |
| 3 | Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313) | 1580 |
| 4 | Developer Programmer (ANZSCO 261312) | 1020 |
| 5 | ICT Business Analyst (ANZSCO 261111) | 972 |
| 6 | Cook (ANZSCO 351411) | 794 |
| 7 | Marketing Specialist (ANZSCO 225113) | 736 |
| 8 | Accountant (General) (ANZSCO 221111) | 694 |
| 9 | Café or Restaurant Manager (ANZSCO 141111) | 665 |
| 10 | Analyst Programmer (ANZSCO 261311) | 561 |
| 11 | ICT Systems Test Engineer (ANZSCO 263213) | 534 |
| 12 | Management Consultant (ANZSCO 224711) | 499 |
| 13 | Sales and Marketing Manager (ANZSCO 131112) | 468 |
| 14 | Recruitment Consultant (ANZSCO 223112) | 463 |
| 15 | Motor Mechanic (General) (ANZSCO 321211) | 442 |
| 16 | ICT Support Engineer (ANZSCO 263212) | 425 |
| 17 | General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111) | 419 |
| 18 | Corporate General Manager (ANZSCO 111211) | 387 |
| 19 | Systems Analyst (ANZSCO 261112) | 322 |
| 20 | ICT Project Manager (ANZSCO 135112) | 315 |
Visa Subclass 482 – Top 5 Sponsoring Industries by State/Territory
The Department of Home Affairs have also detailed the top 5 industries for visa subclass 482 in each state/territory that are sponsoring applicants by approved nominations and subsequent visa grants.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Accomodation and Food Services | 72 | 53 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 66 | 50 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 57 | 44 |
| Other Services | 31 | 28 |
| Construction | 26 | 12 |
New South Wales (NSW)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 3029 | 2326 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 2037 | 1424 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1348 | 1126 |
| Construction | 1024 | 668 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 906 | 249 |
Northern Territory (NT)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 111 | 94 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 34 | 25 |
| Other Services | 31 | 26 |
| Education and Training | 23 | 16 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 22 | 18 |
Queensland (QLD)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1045 | 879 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 427 | 288 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 366 | 272 |
| Other Services | 220 | 165 |
| Construction | 214 | 158 |
South Australia (SA)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 172 | 168 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 79 | 73 |
| Construction | 68 | 58 |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 67 | 57 |
| Manufacturing | 59 | 58 |
Tasmania (TAS)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 86 | 54 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 20 | 14 |
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 17 | 15 |
| Other Services | 8 | 5 |
| Education and Training | 6 | <5 |
Victoria (VIC)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 1562 | 1141 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 989 | 706 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 804 | 634 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 527 | 291 |
| Other Services | 427 | 312 |
Western Australia (WA)
| Top 5 Sponsoring Industries | Total Nominations Approved | Total Visa Grants |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 733 | 637 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 425 | 297 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical | 421 | 329 |
| Mining | 397 | 297 |
| Other Services | 379 | 317 |
Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)
Designed Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) are labour agreements that allow regions within Australia to work with the Department of Home Affairs in identifying industries that experience skill shortages. Applicants can view the regions that are open to accepting DAMAs based on the skill shortages and then seek an employer to sponsor them. This provides a visa pathway for the applicant and works to supplement a region-specific skill shortage.
The Department of Home Affairs has released information regarding the top 20 ANZSCO occupations under a DAMA labour agreement. The following table identifies the top 20 nominated occupations for DAMAs and the number of approved nominations for each occupation.
| Occupation | Lodged Nominations | |
| 1 | Child Care Worker (ANZSCO 421111) | 41 |
| 2 | Specified in Labour Agreement (LA) (ANZSCO 070499) | 30 |
| 3 | Cook (ANZSCO 351411) | 19 |
| 4 | Beauty Therapist (ANZSCO 451111) | 10 |
| 5 | Dental Assistant (ANZSCO 423211) | 9 |
| 6 | Chef (ANZSCO 351311) | 8 |
| 7 | Hairdresser (ANZSCO 391111) | 8 |
| 8 | Motor Mechanic (General) (ANZSCO 321211) | 5 |
| 9 | Retail Supervisor (ANZSCO 621511) | 5 |
| 10 | Bookkeeper (ANZSCO 551211) | <5 |
| 11 | Forklift Driver (ANZSCO 721311) | <5 |
| 12 | Gaming Worker (ANZSCO 431311) | <5 |
| 13 | Accounts Clerk (ANZSCO 551111) | <5 |
| 14 | Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111) | <5 |
| 15 | Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator (ANZSCO 721111) | <5 |
| 16 | Aquaculture Farmer (ANZSCO 121111) | <5 |
| 17 | Café or Restaurant Manager (ANZSCO 141111) | <5 |
| 18 | Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) (ANZSCO 721211) | <5 |
| 19 | Hotel or Motel Receptionist (ANZSCO 542113) | <5 |
| 20 | Welder (First Class) (ANZSCO 322313) | <5 |
RPL and TSS 482 visa
Excessive waiting times for parent visas
Northern Territory – Nomination Requirements (2024-2025)
Ending ‘visa hopping’ – 600 and 485 visas to student
35 Years or Under Age Limit for 485 Visa (50 for Masters by research and PhD)