“Sponsorship,” “nomination,” or “sponsor” in the context of Australian migration generally means one of these:
State or Territory Government Nomination — A state government backs you because your skills are in demand in that state.
Employer Sponsorship / Nomination — A business agrees to employ you permanently (or long-term) and helps you get a visa under an employer-nominated scheme.
Family Sponsorship — A relative who is an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident sponsors you under family or partner visa streams.
Depending on which visa subclass you apply under, one or more of these may be required or optional.
Here are the main PR or PR-pathway (or potentially PR) visas, and what kind of sponsorship/nomination they involve:
| Visa Subclass | Sponsorship / Nomination Requirement | Key Points / Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) | None — you do not need an employer or state nomination. It is a points-based visa. | You compete purely on your own merits: skills, work experience, English, age, etc. The point score must meet the threshold. Great if your occupation is on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). |
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) | State or Territory Government Nomination required. | Because of nomination, you typically get extra points (making it easier to reach the required total). Usually, you commit to live and work in that state for a period. Occupation must be on the state’s list. |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) | State nomination or sponsorship by an eligible family member in a regional area. | This is a provisional visa — you live in a specified regional area, work, and after meeting certain conditions (time + income/work), you can convert to PR (Subclass 191). Also gives extra points for being in regional Australia. |
| Employer-Nomination / Employer-Sponsored Visas (e.g. Subclass 186) | Requires a valid job offer from an employer who is approved to sponsor you. | The employer must nominate the position, show that they can’t find a suitable local worker (some streams require this), meet salary & labour market conditions, etc. This can lead to direct PR. |
| Family / Partner / Parents / Relatives Visas | Sponsorship by a family member who is a permanent resident or citizen of Australia. | These are often less dependent on your occupation or points. But there are specific eligibility rules (relationship evidence, financial capacity of sponsor, character/health checks, etc.). |
Here’s an elaboration of who qualifies to be your sponsor or nominator under family, employer, or state streams:
Employer
An Australian-based company/business that meets certain regulatory requirements. For employer nomination, they must be approved as a sponsor, identify an eligible occupation, meet salary thresholds, etc.
State or Territory Government
The state or territory in which you are willing to live/work may have a list of in-demand occupations. If your occupation matches, and you meet state criteria (maybe commit to live/work in that region), you can apply for their nomination.
Family Member
Usually one of the following who is an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident: spouse / partner, parent, child, sometimes sibling, other close relatives depending on visa subclass. The sponsor must satisfy certain requirements, e.g. be 18+, have capacity (financial, accommodation, etc.), and provide evidence of the relationship.
Regional Relative (for certain visas like 491)
If you have a relative living in regional Australia, they might be able to sponsor you under certain regional visa schemes.
Some recent programs or updates that affect how sponsorship or nomination works, especially for Indian applicants:
MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme)
Under the recent agreement between Australia & India, MATES provides for Indian graduates / early-career professionals to live and work in Australia for up to 2 years. Crucially, no employer sponsorship required.
The increased emphasis on regional visas for skilled workers (Subclass 491 and similar), which typically offer extra points if you accept regional nomination or work/reside in regional areas.
Even if you are being sponsored or nominated, you still usually need to satisfy (depending on visa subclass):
A positive skills assessment in your field.
English proficiency (IELTS, PTE, etc.).
Be under a certain age (often <45 in many skilled streams).
Health and character checks.
Occupation listed in relevant occupation list (state, regional or national).
Minimum points score (for skilled visas, even with nomination).
State nominations often have additional conditions like living in that state / working for a certain period, perhaps even doing regional work / study.
| Pathway | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| State Nomination (190 / 491 etc.) | Extra points; often easier chances if your occupation is demanded in that state; may require less competition than 189. | Commitment to live/work in that state; some obligations; might limit your flexibility. State-lists may change. |
| Employer Sponsorship | Direct connection to job; potential for smoother transition; job income while PR process happens. | Finding a good employer who is willing to sponsor, meeting employer’s obligations, possibly waiting time; employer may require proof no suitably qualified Australian available. |
| Family Sponsorship | Less dependent on your occupation or points; relationship-based. | The process may be slower; relationship evidence, financial assurance needed; some visa subclasses have quotas or waiting time. |
| Independent (no sponsor/nomination) | Full flexibility where you live/work; no commitment to a state; may be simpler in reporting obligations. | More competition; need very strong profile (high points, strong English, top-in-demand occupation) to be invited. |
Check the occupation lists often — both national (MLTSSL etc.) and state-specific demand lists. States can change which occupations they are willing to nominate.
Maximize your points — English proficiency, work experience, education, regional study or work, partner’s skills, etc. Even small gains can make a difference.
Research state-nomination requirements for different states. Some states have occupation ceilings, or require you to commit to living in that state for a number of years.
Try regional paths — they often have bonus points or less competition. If you are okay living in regional Australia, this might be a good route.
Find a willing employer if going employer-sponsorship route — network, apply to Australian companies that have hired overseas before, check if they have sponsorship programs.
Use honest, up-to-date sources — migration laws change. Use the official Home Affairs website and state government migration pages rather than just migration agents’ promotional material.
Be ready with documentation — Education credentials, work experience, English test scores, identity, police checks, etc. If a sponsor or nominator needs to show something, having everything well documented helps.
You always need an employer to sponsor you — not true for several visas (e.g. 189, some state-nomination if you meet requirements).
Family members always can just sponsor you — there are strict eligibility criteria for the sponsor and visa subclass.
State nomination means PR immediately — not always; for provisional visas like 491 you may need to meet regional work/time commitments before converting.
Once you are nominated, you don’t need points — even with nomination, you often still need a points score (though nomination gives bonus points).
If you are from India and aiming for Australia PR, you might be sponsored or nominated by:
a state or territory government,
a legitimate employer in Australia,
or in a family-based stream, by a close relative who is citizen or permanent resident.
Or, you may not need sponsorship at all if you qualify under independent skilled migration (Subclass 189) or through special schemes like MATES, depending on your profile.
Your best path depends on your occupation, qualifications, work experience, how good your English is, whether you’re open to regional Australia, and how much flexibility you have about where you live/work.
