By Natalie Carrington, Bloom HR CEO
The not-for-profit sector in Australia plays a vital role in supporting communities, addressing societal challenges, and driving positive change. As demand for skilled professionals continues to grow, many NFP organisations are looking beyond Australian borders to attract talented workers who can bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the sector.
For employers, sponsoring overseas workers can present an excellent opportunity to fill critical skill gaps while contributing to a diverse and dynamic workforce. Here’s an overview of key pathways, benefits, and opportunities for NFP employers considering overseas recruitment.
However, it’s important to note that these pathways should only be considered after all efforts to fill the role through the local labour market have been exhausted. Sponsorship and visa options are designed to complement, not replace, initiatives to employ local talent. Employers are encouraged to invest in growing their workforce organically through traineeships, apprenticeships, and career development opportunities for Australian employees. This balanced approach ensures sustainable workforce growth while addressing immediate skill shortages. Here is an overview of the temporary visa options available to Australian employers:
482 Visa: Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa
The Subclass 482 Visa is a popular pathway for Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for up to four years.
By sponsoring workers under the 482 visa, NFP organisations can fill crucial vacancies with highly skilled professionals while supporting long-term workforce planning.
The process can be summarised in 3 key stages:
1. Standard Business Sponsorship: Employers must become approved sponsors before nominating a role.
2. Occupation Nomination: Employers apply for the specific role to be eligible for sponsorship. Current eligible roles for sponsorship includes a range of roles essential to the NFP sector, such as:
- Community Worker
- Social Worker
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
- Disabilities Services Officer
- Family Support Worker
- Residential Care Officer
- Welfare Centre Manager
- Welfare Worker
- Youth Worker
As part of the nomination process, evidence needs to be provided to demonstrate that the role could not be filled locally.
3. Visa Application: Once the employer nomination has been submitted, the employee applies for their own visa.
Some streams of the 482 visa can lead to permanent residency for employees.
417 working Holiday Visas
The 417 Working Holiday Visa offers young individuals aged 18 to 30 (or 35 for select countries) the opportunity to travel and work in Australia for up to one year. This visa is an excellent way for employers to tap into a diverse, enthusiastic workforce for temporary vacancies. Eligible visa holders can extend their stay for a second or third year by completing specified work in regional Australia.
In an exciting development for Australian employers as part of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (Australia-UK FTA), UK passport holders under the age of 35 are now eligible for up to three consecutive Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visas, without the requirement to undertake the previous 3 months of specified work. Specified work is work that is undertaken in a ‘specified’ industry and area of Australia.
How the NFP sector can leverage visa options
The NFP sector faces unique challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers. By sponsoring overseas employees or utilising working holiday visa opportunities, Bloom clients can access a global talent pool to address critical workforce shortages.
Sponsoring overseas workers can be a strategic solution for addressing skill shortages in Australia’s NFP sector. Whether through the 482 visa program or the new extended working holiday visa for UK nationals, Bloom clients have opportunity to expand their workforce with global talent.
By investing in international recruitment, NFP organisations can enhance their impact, strengthen their teams, and continue making a difference in the communities they serve.
For further advice on how to begin the sponsorship process or utilise these visas effectively, contact our team at Bloom today on email to hello@bloomhr.com.au.