The Department of Home Affairs is set to introduce an Australian Business Sponsor Register as part of the Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025. This will be a public register of approved business and accredited sponsors in Australia. This is part of a new legislative update that will provide greater transparency in employer sponsorship. The register will be maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and will be publicly available.
Why is the Australian Sponsor Register Being Introduced?
The Albanese Government has committed to reform and strengthen the temporary skilled migration system. The amendments to the Migration Act will work towards fostering trust in the system, protect vulnerable workers and ensure that sponsorship arrangements operate fairly and ethically.
The register is designed to:
- Promote transparency in employer sponsorship
- Help protect temporary migrants
- Improve trust in the migration system
- Support worker mobility by identifying legitimate sponsors
For skilled migrants, this register will provide greater confidence when choosing an employer. However, for businesses, it means their sponsorship activity will be visible and open to scrutiny.
Currently there is a list of company names and associated labour agreements and a register of sanctioned employer sponsors available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
The Implications for Employers
The register will put business sponsors under the spotlight which to an extent could be advantageous.
Visibility
A business’ reputation as a sponsor will be visible to prospective employees. They will be able to assess a business based on their sponsorship history. A positive and compliant sponsorship record can become an advantage when it comes to attracting talent.
Increased Scrutiny
Authorities and the public will have greater visibility of sponsorship activity. Inconsistencies and non-compliance with sponsorship obligations will come under greater scrutiny. The public nature of the register will hopefully reduce exploitation and non-compliance.
Market Insights
The register will provide data on occupation and location trends. This will give businesses and policy makers an insight into workforce trends and competitor activity.
How Visa Solutions Australia Can Help Your Business
The introduction and public nature of the register make business sponsorship a part of a business’ public profile. Positive business sponsorship activity will become an essential aspect of that public profile. Visa Solutions can help strengthen your business’ sponsorship compliance to ensure your business is viewed as an organisation that operates in a positive manner.
Visa Solutions Australia can assist your business with:
- Reviewing and strengthening sponsorship compliance
- Preparing your business for inclusion on the register
Skilled foreign workers are essential to Australian businesses. The introduction of the Australian Business Sponsor Register will have a significant and positive impact on this aspect of migration. Businesses that demonstrate strong compliance and integrity in foreign worker sponsorship will benefit greatly from the register, placing them in a position to attract high quality talent from a broader pool.
If your business currently sponsors overseas workers or is considering sponsorship, contact the team of experienced registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia.
