Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) – Hire Skilled Overseas Workers for Your Australian Business

Take the First Step Towards Expanding Your Workforce

Do you need skilled workers from overseas to fill critical roles in your business?
Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) allows eligible Australian businesses to sponsor suitably qualified overseas employees to work in Australia under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482) and other employer-sponsored visa programs.

Becoming an approved Standard Business Sponsor is the first step for businesses that want to employ overseas talent on a temporary or permanent basis.

Why Standard Business Sponsorship is Crucial

An approved SBS status confirms that your business is legally able to sponsor overseas workers and that you meet the obligations set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Without this approval, you cannot nominate or hire overseas workers under employer-sponsored visa programs.

Whether you operate in healthcare, engineering, construction, hospitality, IT, or any other sector, SBS helps you address skill shortages by giving you access to global talent.

Key Benefits of Becoming an Approved Standard Business Sponsor

• Ability to nominate skilled overseas workers under Subclass 482, 494, and 186 visas
• Access to a wider talent pool when local candidates are not available
• Flexibility to sponsor workers temporarily or permanently
• Helps meet urgent workforce demands in high-skill, high-demand industries
• Demonstrates compliance with Australian migration and employment laws

Who Needs Standard Business Sponsorship?

You must apply for SBS if you are:

• An Australian business seeking to sponsor overseas workers
• A start-up company needing to fill specialised roles not available locally
• A regional business addressing skill shortages through the Subclass 494 visa
• An employer wishing to retain overseas workers on a permanent basis via the Subclass 186 visa

Eligibility Criteria for SBS

To be eligible, your business must:
✅ Be lawfully operating in Australia
✅ Have a genuine need for the position and prove it cannot be filled locally
✅ Have a strong record of compliance with Australian workplace laws
✅ Demonstrate the financial capacity to meet sponsorship obligations
✅ Commit to meeting training requirements for Australian employees

Required Documents for SBS Application

• Business registration documents (ABN, ACN, ASIC extract)
• Evidence of lawful and active operations (financial statements, invoices, contracts)
• Organisational chart and staffing structure
• Proof of compliance with workplace laws (Fair Work compliance, no sanctions)
• Training benchmarks or proof of meeting Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy obligations

Processing Time and Validity

• Standard processing time: 1–3 months (faster for low-risk applicants)
• Validity: 5 years (most businesses) or 18 months (start-ups)
• Renewable upon meeting sponsorship obligations

How BFES Global Helps You Get Approved Faster

At BFES Global, we provide:

• A complete eligibility assessment for your business
• Preparation and submission of SBS application with supporting evidence
• Guidance on meeting sponsorship obligations and SAF levy requirements
• Strategic advice on nominating positions under eligible occupation lists
• Ongoing compliance support to avoid breaches and penalties

We make the SBS process straightforward, compliant, and fast — helping you secure the overseas talent you need.

Frequently Asked Questions – SBS

Do I need SBS for short-term hires?
Yes — SBS approval is required for all employer-sponsored visas, including short-term TSS visas.

Can start-up companies apply for SBS?
Yes, but the validity period is often limited to 18 months initially.

What are my obligations as a sponsor?
You must comply with visa conditions, pay the correct market salary, keep records, and notify the Department of Home Affairs of changes.

Can I sponsor multiple workers under one SBS approval?
Yes — you can nominate multiple overseas employees during the SBS validity period.

Standard Business Sponsorship Summary

• Approval Body: Department of Home Affairs
• Eligible Businesses: Australian companies with a genuine need for skilled overseas workers
• Visa Pathways: Subclass 482, 494, 186
• Validity: 5 years (most businesses) / 18 months (start-ups)
• Processing Time: 1–3 months
• Key Requirement: Compliance with sponsorship obligations

Start Sponsoring Skilled Overseas Workers with BFES Global

From SBS application to nomination and visa approval, BFES Global is your trusted partner for a smooth and compliant process.