In 2025, one of the biggest challenges facing Australian startups isn’t funding. It’s hiring.
More specifically: finding the right talent, at the right time.
If you’ve been struggling to fill roles like software engineers, DevOps specialists, or data analysts, you’re not alone.
- Dozens of job ads, but few (if any) qualified applicants
- Time lost in interviews, ghosting, or last-minute counteroffers
- Key projects delayed, delivery timelines slipping, teams feeling the pressure
But many startups have stopped waiting. They’ve started sponsoring.
How It Works: Hiring Through Employer Sponsorship
Step 1: Become a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
- One-time registration with the government
- Valid for 5 years
- Fee: $420
- Processing time: 1–3 weeks
Step 2: Nominate the Role
- Position must be on Core Skills / Specialist Skills List or Labour Agreement Stream
- Salary must be at least $76,515/year for Core Skills Stream
- Salary must be at least $141,210/year for Specialist Skills Stream
- Show genuine business need
- Pay Market Rate Salary
Step 3: Apply for the Visa (Subclass 482)
- Temporary visa, valid for up to 4 years
- Processing time: typically 4–12 weeks (faster for some occupations)
We will be breaking down the entire process in a companion post – you can stay updated by following our LinkedIn page: Ten Heads LinkedIn Page
Why Smart Startups and SMEs Are Sponsoring
Businesses used to think sponsorship was just for big companies. Not anymore.
We’ve worked with:
- A boutique hotel group that hired overseas chefs and managers to meet growing demand
- A leading medical research company that sponsored skilled professionals and researchers
- A early-stage fintech startup that brought on global engineering talent to scale faster
What they gained:
Speed: Filled roles that had been vacant for months
Expertise: Hired globally competitive talent with proven track records
Stability: Sponsored employees tend to stay longer and contribute deeply
Clearing Up Common Concerns
It’s too expensive: The cost of delay is often higher than the cost of sponsorship.
It’s too complex: With the right support, most businesses can become sponsors in under a month.
We’re too small: We’ve helped solo founders, remote teams, and early-stage startups sponsor their first hire.
Thinking About Sponsoring? Start Here
We have created a free 10-point “Can I Sponsor?” Checklist to help you assess if your business is ready: https://tenheadsimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Can-I-Sponsor-Checklist.pdf
Or, book a free 15-minute Sponsorship Health Check with our team. We’ll guide you through your options with clarity and no pressure: Contact Us
About Us
Ten Heads Immigration partners with Australian startups and SMEs to solve critical hiring gaps through smart employer-sponsored visa strategies. We help businesses access skilled international talent—fast, compliantly, and with confidence.
From setting up your Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) to guiding you through 482 and 186 visa processes, we simplify the complex. Whether you’re hiring one developer or scaling a team, we bring legal expertise, clarity, and ongoing support every step of the way.
Ten Heads Immigration Consultants | MARN 1575911 & MARN 2318052
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