STEM start-ups can now access accredited sponsorship. This will help attract the workers they need to innovate.
From 7 December 2024, STEM start-ups that have received venture capital funding from a registered Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership can apply to be an accredited sponsor.
Accredited sponsors receive priority processing for nominations and visa applications for:
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482).
They will continue to receive priority processing when the Skills in Demand replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024.
Before we consider a start-up for accredited status we need to approve them as a standard business sponsor.
We have also strengthened the integrity of the accreditation process and will be more strictly enforcing accreditation requirements and sponsorship obligations.
From 7 December 2024 we will also update sponsorship obligations. This means that once a sponsored visa holder leaves their sponsor’s employment, the sponsor doesn’t have to ensure they only work in their nominated occupation.
Temporary employer sponsored visa holders who stop work with their sponsoring employer have up to 180 days at a time and 365 days across their entire visa grant period to:
- find a new sponsor
- apply for a different visa, or
- leave Australia.