Sponsorship applications
Assist with Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) or Temporary Activities Sponsorship (TAS), according to the proposed pathway, including review of the sponsoring entity and existing approvals.
SPECIALIST EDUCATION-SECTOR IMMIGRATION
Specialist immigration solutions for Australian schools and teachers
Ausdirect Migration provides specialist immigration services to the education sector, supporting more than 40 Australian public, Catholic and independent schools with the long-term management of their employer sponsorship programs.
40+
Australian schoolsLong-term employer sponsorship supportPublic · Catholic · Independent
SCHOOLS. EDUCATORS. LONG-TERM PLANS.
Practical experience across both sides of education migration.
Our work spans subclass 482, 186 and 494 pathways, alongside tailored immigration solutions for schools and other education providers, including tutoring schools.
We also assist individual teachers with skilled migration and employer-sponsored pathways, bringing extensive practical experience across both school sponsorship and teachers’ personal migration needs.
HOW AUSDIRECT CAN HELP
Migration services for your school.
A clear scope for the school, the proposed teaching role and the candidate. Select the support you need, from an initial review through to application preparation and ongoing advice.
Candidate review
Assess the teacher’s qualifications, experience and visa circumstances against the proposed role and migration pathway.
Nomination preparation
Assist with the role and recruitment evidence, labour market testing requirements and nomination application, including regional certification where required.
Teacher visa applications
Assist with the visa requirements and supporting evidence, taking account of the school’s proposed employment arrangement.
Sponsorship compliance
Advise on the obligations that apply to the school’s sponsorship type, relevant changes and renewal planning. The sponsor retains responsibility for meeting its obligations.
The scope of assistance for the school and teacher is agreed at the outset. Your school retains responsibility for employment decisions, payroll, teaching and child-safety checks, and meeting its sponsor obligations.
SCHOOL SECTORS
Supporting schools across every sector.
Government
Public schools, with the relevant department, system and authorised school contacts.
Catholic
Catholic schools and their responsible governing or system bodies.
Independent
Faith-based and non-denominational schools, including Lutheran and Anglican schools.
Support for primary, secondary and special education settings, including regional schools. We confirm the sponsoring and employing arrangements for each engagement.
VISA PATHWAYS
Options for your teaching appointments.
Eligibility depends on the position, sponsoring organisation and teacher. A shortage in a subject area does not automatically make a role or candidate eligible.
Temporary sponsored teaching
The Skills in Demand visa may support an eligible teaching appointment where the employer cannot source a suitably skilled Australian worker. Review the occupation, salary, recruitment evidence and candidate requirements together.
Explore the 482 pathway →A longer-term appointment
The Employer Nomination Scheme may be relevant when the school and teacher are considering permanent residence. Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition have different requirements. A temporary visa does not automatically convert to permanent residence.
Explore the 186 pathway →An eligible regional school role
For a position in a designated regional area, the regional employer-sponsored pathway may be an option. Check the actual work location, regional certification and the commitments involved before choosing this route.
Explore the 494 pathway →Training visa (subclass 407)
A temporary sponsored pathway for an eligible, structured training program. Temporary Activities Sponsorship, the training category and nomination requirements are assessed for the proposed arrangement.
Explore the 407 training pathway →OUR PROCESS
One coordinated plan. Clear next steps.
We connect the school’s staffing plans with the migration work required, without duplicating your internal recruitment process.
- 01
Review and scope
Discuss the school, role and candidate. Identify the responsible entity, potential pathways and the support needed.
- 02
Prepare and apply
Agree responsibilities and coordinate the relevant sponsorship, nomination and teacher visa applications, including supporting evidence.
- 03
Plan beyond the decision
Advise on commencement checks, sponsorship obligations and changes affecting the teacher’s employment.
Start dates depend on separate visa, registration and employment decisions. A proposed school term is a planning target, not a guaranteed outcome.
SCHOOL RESOURCES
Detailed sponsorship guidance.
Explore the requirements behind the services, without adding more detail to your initial enquiry.
TEACHER RESOURCES
Registration and migration guidance.
Work rights, teacher registration and any required migration skills assessment are separate checks. Explore the detailed guides for the proposed teacher.
Start here
- Teacher registration & migration guide →
- UK-qualified teachers: Australia guide →
- Irish teachers: Australia guide →
- Canadian teachers: Australia guide & pay comparison →
By teaching specialism
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
What school leaders ask.
Can we sponsor an overseas teacher we have already found?
Yes, where the role, school and teacher meet the relevant requirements. We assess the employing entity, proposed position and the teacher’s qualifications, registration and visa circumstances, including any nomination and labour market testing requirements.
What does a school need before sponsoring for the first time?
We help identify the correct employing entity and sponsor approval, then prepare the role, salary and recruitment evidence. Depending on the visa pathway, the school may need approval as a standard business sponsor or temporary activities sponsor.
When can the teacher start work?
The teacher can start when their current visa permits the proposed work and they hold the registration or permission required to teach in that state or territory. Lodging a sponsorship, nomination or visa application does not by itself authorise a start date.
Which costs should the school budget for?
Budget for sponsorship and nomination charges, recruitment and professional fees, plus the SAF levy where applicable. Sponsorship and nomination costs that cannot legally be passed on must remain with the school; separately clarify responsibility for visa application, registration, assessment and relocation costs.
Can a fixed-term teaching position be sponsored?
Fixed-term roles can be eligible, depending on the visa pathway. The genuine need, hours, contract length and salary must meet the relevant requirements; permanent and regional pathways also have requirements about how long the position must remain available.
How can we retain the teacher and stay compliant?
Review visa expiry, registration and any longer-term pathway well before the current arrangement ends. Keep required employment records and raise changes to duties, hours, location or employing entity promptly, as a notification or new nomination may be needed.
Reference informationAITSL: skills assessment and registration FAQs AITSL: state and territory teacher authorities Home Affairs: check visa conditions with VEVO Home Affairs: labour market testing Home Affairs: Standard Business Sponsor obligations Home Affairs: sponsorship costs and SAF levy Home Affairs: Training visa (407) Home Affairs: 407 occupational training types
General information checked 16 October 2026. Requirements and processing arrangements can change. Obtain advice for your school and the individual teacher.
YOUR SCHOOL’S NEXT STEP
Let’s discuss your school’s next appointment.
Send a brief summary of your school, the role and any teacher you have identified. We can discuss the appropriate scope of migration support.
Prefer to talk? 1800 462 188
Email opens your mail app. Start with a brief summary; agree a secure channel before sharing personal documents.