Sponsoring of Overseas Applicants
Overview
In circumstances where there are difficulties recruiting suitably qualified staff, schools may consider sponsoring a suitable person from overseas in support of applications for residence status or work permits. Any action to fill a vacancy through a skilled migrant sponsorship arrangement can only be considered within the context of the Department’s normal staffing procedures.
Employing a Skilled Migrant
Prior to employment, a prospective skilled migrant must meet the Department’s minimum qualification requirements (where relevant) for the category of position (e.g. teacher, speech pathologist, social worker, psychologist etc). If a skilled migrant is to be employed as a teacher, prospective teachers must also gain teacher registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
VISA Requirements
If a school is considering whether to employ a skilled migrant, it will be necessary to determine if a visa is required. If the migrant already holds a visa, check with the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) whether:
- the visa entitles the migrant to work in Australia, as well as providing permanent or temporary residency
- the person's qualifications have already been assessed
- professional registration and licensing requirements have been met.
Note that the school must meet all undertakings related to sponsored persons and pay all application, nomination and legal fees associated with the sponsorship. Schools should particularly note references in the DIMA booklets below to the obligations of the employer in relation to medical or hospital expenses and costs of return travel for the employee (as appropriate).
If a visa is needed, the currently available visa options applicable to schools are detailed below.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
Under this scheme, a rural or regional school may sponsor a migrant to fill a job vacancy. The scheme can provide permanent residency.
Features include no fee for the school; the requirement for a two-year employer/employee contract; relevant qualifications equivalent to at least Australian diploma level (unless approved as 'exceptional'); no work experience requirement; and priority visa processing.
For more information, read the Skilled Migration Fact Sheet 6 and the DIMA Booklet 5: Employer Sponsored Migration.
Employer Nomination Scheme
Schools may use this scheme to sponsor and recruit to a skilled job vacancy on a permanent basis either highly skilled staff from overseas or temporary residents currently in Australia.
Features include a two-year employer/employee contract requirement, a minimum requirement of a three-year qualification and three years of work experience.
Read the DIMA Booklet 5: Employer Sponsored Migration for more information.
Temporary Business Entry (Long Stay)
Schools may use this scheme to sponsor a migrant to a skilled job vacancy on a temporary basis for up to four years.
Features include up to four years' stay initially, with the opportunity to extend.
Read the DIMA Booklet 11: Sponsoring a Temporary Overseas Employee to Australia for more information.
Other Resources
Further Information
Industrial Relations Victoria
- Employing a Skilled Migrant (http://www.employment.vic.gov.au/web10/dvcep.nsf/allDocs/RWPF32E0B6C7771E355CA257164000BE87B?OpenDocument)
Australian Government Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
- Visas and Immigration - Information for Employers (http://www.immi.gov.au/employers/index.htm)
- Visas and Immigration – Information for Workers (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/index.htm)
Teaching @DEECD
- Becoming a Teacher – Visa Requirements (http://www.teaching.vic.gov.au/becometeach/qualification.htm)