Foreign workers searching for jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship in 2026 can find opportunities across healthcare, aged care, hospitality, engineering, skilled trades and regional employment. Salaries for eligible sponsored positions can start around AUD $79,423 per year, while experienced professionals may earn AUD $100,000–$140,000 or more depending on occupation and experience. This guide covers Australian employers and recruiters, available roles, requirements, salary expectations and application links for international candidates interested in building a career in Australia.
Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship 2026: Overview
- Country: Australia
- Positions: Nurses, chefs, aged-care professionals, tradespeople and other skilled workers
- Employment Type: Full-time, permanent and fixed-term
- Salary: Approximately AUD $79,423–$140,000+ depending on occupation
- Industries: Healthcare, aged care, hospitality, engineering, mining and skilled trades
- Applicants: Australians and eligible international applicants
- Visa Pathways: Skills in Demand 482, Employer Nomination Scheme 186 and regional pathways
- Application: Direct employer career portals and Australian recruitment platforms
Why Consider Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Australia?
Australia uses employer-sponsored migration pathways to help businesses recruit appropriately skilled overseas workers for positions they cannot adequately fill within the domestic labour market.
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is one of the principal employer-sponsored options. Sponsorship, however, is not attached automatically to every Australian vacancy.
Applicants need to satisfy requirements relating to their occupation, qualifications, experience and English ability, while the employer and nominated position must also satisfy Australian immigration requirements.
This distinction is important: an Australian company employing foreign workers does not mean every vacancy at that company offers sponsorship.
Applicants should always check the conditions of the individual vacancy before applying.
How Much Can Sponsored Workers Earn in Australia?
Pay depends heavily on occupation, employer, experience and location.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $79,423. This is a threshold used within the sponsorship framework, not a promise that every sponsored worker earns exactly that amount.
Some current sponsorship-related vacancies demonstrate how widely salaries can vary. Australian advertisements include chefs around AUD $75,000–$95,000, experienced hospitality professionals above AUD $100,000 in some positions, and healthcare professionals who can also move well above the minimum threshold depending on seniority.
Below are employers and recruitment opportunities international candidates can investigate.
10 Employers to Explore for Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Australia
1. Opal HealthCare
Opal HealthCare is one of Australia’s major aged-care providers, with more than 22,000 team members across 149 Care Communities. It recruits across nursing, care, hospitality, lifestyle, maintenance and corporate functions.
Crucially, Opal states directly that it provides sponsorship for overseas Registered Nurses, usually in regional Australia. Its careers information also describes 482 sponsorship with a pathway to subclass 186 permanent residence for eligible nurses.
Available Roles:
- Registered Nurse
- Care Manager
- Clinical and aged-care positions
Requirements:
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Current AHPRA registration
- Required background and medical checks
Salary: Some Opal nursing pages have advertised Registered Nurse salaries around AUD $59,000–$85,000, although current salaries depend on location, experience and the particular vacancy.
Application Link:
https://www.opalhealthcare.com.au/jobs-aged-care
2. Capecare
Capecare provides aged-care and accommodation services in Western Australia and recruits healthcare professionals for its facilities.
It currently advertises experienced Registered Nurse positions and explicitly states that sponsorship opportunities are available.
Available Roles:
- Registered Nurse
- Aged-care professionals
- Clinical support positions
Requirements:
- Current AHPRA registration
- Relevant nursing qualifications
- Appropriate professional experience
Salary: Registered Nurses are currently advertised from approximately AUD $40–$51.90 per hour, with additional penalties and salary-packaging benefits available.
Application Link:
https://capecare.com.au/vacancies/registered-nurse-2/
3. ISS Facility Services
ISS provides workplace, facility and support services across Australia, including employment connected to remote and resource-sector operations.
Current Australian recruitment has included FIFO chef positions where sponsorship is advertised as available.
Available Roles:
- FIFO Chef
- Hospitality positions
- Remote-site support roles
Requirements:
- Relevant commercial cooking experience
- Ability to work FIFO rosters
- Required qualifications for the advertised role
Salary: Recent FIFO chef recruitment has advertised approximately AUD $95,000–$110,000 annually, with meals, accommodation and uniforms provided while on site.
Application Link:
https://www.au.issworld.com/en-au/career
4. Victoria Hotel Dimboola / Little Desert Brewing Co.
Victoria Hotel Dimboola is a regional hospitality employer in Victoria. Its current recruitment is particularly interesting for international candidates because it advertises a pathway to subclass 482 sponsorship for eligible Working Holiday Visa holders.
Available Roles:
- Chef
- Commercial kitchen positions
- Hospitality roles
Requirements:
- Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent
- Minimum three years’ commercial-kitchen experience
- Ability to satisfy 482 sponsorship requirements
Salary: The current chef opportunity advertises approximately AUD $79,423–$82,423 per year, plus superannuation.
Application Link:
https://au.indeed.com/q-visa-482-sponsorship-chef-jobs.html
5. Beachmere Hotel
Beachmere Hotel operates within Queensland’s hospitality industry and has advertised experienced kitchen leadership positions.
A recent Head Chef vacancy specifically stated that visa sponsorship may be available for the right candidate.
Available Roles:
- Head Chef
- Chef
- Kitchen leadership positions
Requirements:
- Professional commercial-kitchen experience
- Strong kitchen-management skills
- Ability to meet employer and visa requirements
Salary: Recent Head Chef recruitment advertised approximately AUD $70,000–$80,000 per year.
Application Link:
https://au.seek.com/chef-482-visa-sponsorship-jobs/full-time
6. Lake House
Lake House is a well-known Australian hospitality business offering premium dining and accommodation experiences.
Recent recruitment for an experienced Senior Sous Chef advertised visa assistance and a subclass 186 pathway for the right candidate, making it particularly relevant to skilled hospitality professionals.
Available Roles:
- Senior Sous Chef
- Chef
- Hospitality positions
Requirements:
- Strong professional cooking experience
- Relevant culinary skills and qualifications
- Ability to satisfy applicable visa requirements
Salary: Recent Senior Sous Chef recruitment advertised approximately AUD $85,000–$95,000 annually.
Application Link:
https://au.seek.com/chef-482-visa-sponsorship-jobs/full-time
7. Optura
Optura recruits hospitality professionals in Australia and has recently advertised full-time chef opportunities with sponsorship available for eligible candidates already based on the Gold Coast.
Available Roles:
- Full-Time Chef
- Production Chef
- Service kitchen positions
Requirements:
- Relevant commercial cooking experience
- Appropriate culinary skills
- Meet the conditions stated in the individual vacancy
Salary: Current recruitment advertises approximately AUD $75,000–$85,000 per year.
Application Link:
https://au.seek.com/482-visa-sponsorship-cook-jobs/full-time
8. Bella Venezia Restaurant & Bar
Bella Venezia Restaurant & Bar operates in Queensland’s hospitality sector and recruits experienced culinary professionals.
Recent recruitment has included full-time chef opportunities within searches specifically targeting subclass 482 sponsorship positions. Applicants should still verify sponsorship eligibility on the individual vacancy before applying.
Available Roles:
- Chef
- Chef de Partie
- Commercial kitchen roles
Requirements:
- Commercial cooking experience
- Relevant culinary skills or qualifications
- Meet vacancy-specific visa requirements
Salary: Recent chef recruitment advertised approximately AUD $79,500–$83,000 per year.
Application Link:
https://au.seek.com/482-visa-sponsorship-chef-restaurant-jobs/full-time
9. Jack Gray
Jack Gray is a hospitality venue in New South Wales recruiting experienced kitchen professionals.
Its recent Chef de Partie vacancy explicitly stated that 482 sponsorship would be considered, making the opportunity relevant to eligible international hospitality workers.
Available Roles:
- Chef de Partie
- Chef
- Commercial kitchen positions
Requirements:
- Professional kitchen experience
- Reliable and organised work approach
- Appropriate work rights or sponsorship eligibility
Salary: Approximately AUD $75,000–$85,000 per year for the recently advertised Chef de Partie position.
Application Link:
https://au.indeed.com/q-482-visa-sponsorship-chef-jobs.html
10. Business Workforce Australia
Business Workforce is an Australian recruitment and workforce organisation connecting skilled workers with employment opportunities.
Recent recruitment has specifically targeted skilled workers for potential subclass 482 and subclass 186 sponsorship opportunities, although the recruiter correctly notes that sponsorship and visa approval cannot be guaranteed.
Available Roles:
- Skilled workers
- Trade occupations
- Employer-sponsored opportunities
Requirements:
- Relevant qualifications or trade skills
- Suitable occupational experience
- Eligibility for the applicable visa pathway
Salary: Recent recruitment has advertised approximately AUD $73,000–$80,000 annually, although sponsored positions must satisfy whichever current immigration salary requirements apply to the individual nomination.
Application Link:
https://au.indeed.com/q-482-sponsorship-for-chef-jobs.html
Australian Industries Worth Targeting for Sponsorship
The strongest strategy for international applicants is not applying randomly to thousands of Australian vacancies.
Candidates should focus on occupations where their qualifications and experience correspond with genuine Australian workforce demand.
Healthcare and aged care deserve particular attention. Opal HealthCare’s own reporting says it sponsored hundreds of workers across Australia in 2024, including personal-care workers, assistants in nursing, Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses.
Other areas worth researching include:
- Nursing and aged care
- Hospitality and chefs
- Engineering
- Automotive trades
- Construction trades
- Mining and resources
- Agriculture
- Regional skilled employment
The exact immigration pathway can differ considerably between occupations.
Understanding the Skills in Demand 482 Visa
The Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 is an employer-sponsored pathway designed to allow Australian businesses to recruit appropriately skilled overseas workers.
Applicants should understand that there are several moving pieces. The worker, occupation, salary, employer and nomination all need to meet the applicable requirements.
That is why seeing the words “visa sponsorship” in a Google search result is not enough.
Applicants should verify visa information through Australia’s Department of Home Affairs and carefully read the employer’s vacancy before submitting an application.
Australian Government Visa Information:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia
General Requirements for Visa Sponsorship Jobs
Requirements vary significantly between occupations, but international applicants commonly need:
- Relevant qualifications or trade credentials
- Appropriate occupational experience
- Required English-language proficiency
- Professional registration where applicable
- Health and character checks
- Eligibility for the relevant visa pathway
Healthcare is a good example. Opal states that Registered Nurses require a Bachelor of Nursing and current AHPRA registration, in addition to its recruitment checks.
Applicants should therefore investigate the requirements for their own occupation rather than assuming one checklist applies to every Australian sponsored job.
How to Apply for Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship
Start by identifying Australian jobs that genuinely match your qualifications and experience.
Search for phrases such as “482 sponsorship,” “visa sponsorship available,” “international applicants,” “overseas nurses,” “visa assistance,” and “186 pathway.”
When you find an opportunity, read the complete advertisement. Confirm the salary, location, qualifications, work-right requirements and whether sponsorship applies to your circumstances.
You should also check the employer’s own careers website whenever possible.
Most importantly, verify Australian immigration requirements independently before paying anyone for migration or recruitment assistance.
Official Australian immigration website:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can foreigners apply for jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship?
Yes. Eligible overseas workers can apply for Australian positions offering sponsorship, provided they satisfy the requirements of the employer, occupation and relevant visa pathway.
2. How much do visa sponsorship jobs pay in Australia?
Salary varies significantly. Current examples in this article range from roughly AUD $75,000 to more than $110,000 annually, while highly skilled occupations can pay considerably more. Immigration salary thresholds and market-rate requirements must also be considered.
3. What is the current 482 salary threshold?
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $79,423. The actual required salary can be higher depending on the occupation and market salary.
4. Does Opal HealthCare sponsor overseas workers?
Opal HealthCare explicitly states that it offers sponsorship for overseas Registered Nurses, generally in regional areas. Its careers material also describes 482 sponsorship and a pathway to subclass 186 permanent residence for eligible nurses.
5. Can chefs get visa sponsorship in Australia?
Yes, eligible chefs can find sponsorship opportunities. Current Australian advertisements include multiple chef positions mentioning sponsorship or visa assistance, although applicants must satisfy the individual employer and immigration requirements.
6. Can I apply from outside Australia?
Some employers recruit internationally, while others restrict sponsorship to applicants already in Australia or holding particular visas. Read the vacancy carefully before applying.
7. Does visa sponsorship guarantee permanent residency?
No. Some employer-sponsored pathways can lead toward permanent residence, but sponsorship itself does not guarantee permanent residency. Eligibility depends on the relevant visa and the applicant’s circumstances.
8. Where should I verify Australian visa requirements?
Use the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for immigration requirements rather than relying exclusively on social media, recruiters or job websites.
Official website:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
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