Can my employer sponsor me as a diver to stay in Australia?

This article is also available in Spanish.

If you’re working in Australia as a diver and would like to stay long-term, one of the possible options is to be sponsored by your employer. Fortunately, recent changes have made this pathway more accessible for divers.

Important update: Diver added to Core Skills Occupation List

As of December 2024, the occupation Diver (ANZSCO Code 399911) has been added to the Core Skills Occupation List. This is a significant change it means that employers in both regional and metropolitan areas across Australia can now sponsor divers for skilled visas. Previously, diver was only on the Regional Occupation List, which limited sponsorship to regional employers.

This update opens up far more opportunities for divers seeking permanent or long-term residence in Australia through employer sponsorship.

Which visas can a diver apply for?

With this update, divers may now be eligible for several employer-sponsored visa options, including:

• Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills stream & Specialist Skills stream

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) – Permanent residency pathway

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) – Still available for those working in regional areas

For the subclass 482 visa, divers do not need a skills assessment, which simplifies the application process.

Can my employer sponsor me as a diver to stay in Australia?: What does your employer need to do?

To sponsor you, your employer must:

1. Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor, or apply to become one

2. Advertise the role for at least 4 weeks (labour market testing)(Contact us to check if you are eligible to skip this step)

3. Offer a salary that:

   • Meets at least the Core Skills Income Threshold: currently AUD $79,423; and

   • Meets or exceeds the market salary for a diver

4. Demonstrate that the role is genuine and that you meet the qualifications and experience required for the position

Additional requirements

• You must meet the English language requirement

• You’ll need to pass health and character checks

• You will likely need a local diver’s licence that is valid in Australia

• Your qualifications and experience must match those required under ANZSCO guidelines for the Diver occupation

Already in Australia?

If you're already in Australia on a student visa, working holiday visa, or bridging visa, you're in a stronger position to explore employer sponsorship. Being onshore allows you to build relationships with potential sponsors and negotiate directly with them.

Just be mindful of your current visa conditions and whether you're eligible to apply for a new visa from inside Australia.

How we can help

If your employer is interested in sponsoring you as a diver, Mandeville Migration can help both you and your employer prepare the application. Book a consultation with us to find out how we can assist.

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Written by: Laura Mandeville

Registered Migration Agent: 2117601