Low-risk Sponsor Reward: Accredited Business Sponsorship (ABS) For TSS (SC482)
What is Accredited Business Sponsorship?
Accredited Business Sponsorship (ABS) is a status that goes beyond the Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) for companies looking to sponsor employees for work visas in Australia. To achieve this status, a business must first be a Standard Business Sponsor.
What are the Benefits of Accredited Business Sponsorship?
The Accredited Business Sponsorship status offers significant advantages, primarily aimed at streamlining the onboarding process for new employees. The key benefits include:
Reduced Time for Document Collection
Faster Lodgement: With fewer documentation requirements, both the Subclass 482 nomination and visa applications can be lodged more quickly with the Department of Home Affairs.
Salary Banding: Businesses can rely on salary banding, eliminating the need for lengthy searches for equivalent job advertisements or salary surveys.
Criminal Convictions Declaration: Businesses can declare that the sponsored employee has no known criminal convictions, removing the need for the employee to arrange police clearances, which can take 6 weeks or more.
Note: It is important to conduct proper background checks before making such declarations.
Reduced Processing Time
Once applications are lodged, Accredited Business Sponsors benefit from shorter processing times. Below is a comparison of current processing times:
| Stream | Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) | Accredited Business Sponsorship |
|---|---|---|
| TSS (Subclass 482) Short-term Stream | 50 - 76 days | 7 - 14 days |
| TSS (Subclass 482) Medium-term Stream | 44 - 62 days | 7 - 14 days |
What are the eligibility criteria for an accredited business sponsorship?
To qualify for Accredited Business Sponsorship as a low-risk, low-volume sponsor, businesses must meet several criteria:
Workforce Composition: At least 85% of the workforce must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Financial Requirements: The business should have an annual turnover of over $4 million for the past two years.
History of Sponsorship: The initial Standard Business Sponsorship must have been approved at least one year ago.
Monitoring Outcomes: There should be no adverse monitoring outcomes.
Nomination Approval: At least one Subclass 482 (TSS) visa nomination must have been approved in the last 12 months.
Low Nomination Non-Approval Rate: The nomination non-approval rate must be less than 3% in the last 12 months.
Standard Employment Terms: Standard employment terms and conditions must be used for sponsored workers.
The Department of Home Affairs may still approve an Accredited Business Sponsorship even if all criteria are not met. If your business does not meet these criteria, consult an immigration lawyer for professional guidance for sponsorships.
Compliance and Maintenance
Businesses must maintain the abovementioned eligibilities to retain the Accredited Business Sponsorship status. If the criteria are not met, the business could be adjusted back to the Standard Business Sponsorship. The Department will contact the company for comments before making such a decision.
What is the Processing Time for an Accredited Business Sponsorship Application?
Accredited Business Sponsorship applications are typically processed within 6 to 8 weeks, although times may vary based on workload within The Department of Home Affairs. Providing comprehensive information upfront can help prevent delays due to requests for additional information.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Assist
Contact us at Agape Henry Crux if you wonder if your business may be eligible for Accredited Business Sponsorship, speak with one of our Accredited Specialist(s) Immigration Lawyers and our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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