Grow your business in Canberra through Australia’s skilled and business migration programs.

Building a workforce to grow Canberra

Canberra is a centre of technology, government and fresh ideas. We’re a smart city because we attract some of the best minds in the world through our skilled migration program.

Skilled migration boosts the Canberra economy and community, and can drive your business growth.

You can employ skilled migrant workers:

• already in Australia on a valid work visa
• by nominating a Skilled Migration visa.

Employing a worker already here

Skilled migrant workers might already be in Canberra on valid work visas.

If you want to hire a skilled migrant worker, use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service to check their work rights.

Sponsoring a skilled migrant worker

To fill a skilled role with a migrant worker who is overseas, you can apply to sponsor their work visa.

They must have the necessary skills for the job, meet our health and character checks, and be nominated by an Australian employer.

The ACT Government doesn’t manage work visas. Learn more about work visas from the Department of Home Affairs.

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa

Employers can nominate skilled migrants for an Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa.

186 visas are available across 3 streams:

• Direct Entry
• Labour Agreement
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRS)

Temporary Skilled Shortage (subclass 482) visa

Employers can also nominate skilled workers for a Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa.

This temporary visa lets an employer sponsor a skilled worker for between 2-4 years.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) 494 visa

Canberra is considered regional city, which opens up another visa option.

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) 494 visa helps businesses in the Canberra region recruit skilled workers to work for their sponsoring ACT employer for up to 5 years.

The 494 visa also allows family members of the skilled migrant worker to apply for a visa.

The SESR employer nomination must include advice from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB).

What is a Regional Certifying Body?

A Regional Certifying Body (RCB) provides advice to the Department of Home Affairs on SESR visa nominations.

In Canberra, the RCB is Skills Canberra, which is part of the ACT Government.

Learn more about sponsoring a skilled worker.

Invest in Canberra

Canberra is a secure and stable place to do business.

With over 3 decades of sustained growth, our economic foundations and fundamentals are strong. Canberra offers higher-value business returns and lower investment risk.

We’re home to the Australian Government, with ready access to opportunities and an affluent, educated, and growing population.

Our strong track record and robust management speaks for itself – it’s why people do business here.

Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) visas

The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) supports eligible entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses to get Subclass 188 visas. With a Subclass 188 visa in Australia, you can:

• own and manage a business
• do business and make investments
• start entrepreneurial activity.

Learn more about business migration visas from the Department of Home Affairs.

Support for skilled and business migration

Migration can be complex.

For help with a visa application, get in touch with a migration agent. They can check if you or potential workers are eligible and help you apply.

Learn more about employing workers from overseas and migrating to the Canberra region from the Department of Home Affairs.