Skills in Demand (482)
Sponsor eligible construction trades and professionals for up to four years. May provide a pathway to permanent residence, subject to the employer and visa holder meeting the applicable requirements at that time.
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Construction Employers
Employer-Sponsored Migration for Construction & Building
Keep your projects on schedule with skilled overseas trades and professionals. We help construction and building employers sponsor the carpenters, electricians, engineers and site managers they can’t find locally.
482 & 186sponsorship pathways tailored to construction
The Workforce Challenge
Australia’s Construction Skills Shortage
A national pipeline of housing and infrastructure work is colliding with a shortage of qualified trades and construction professionals. Sponsorship lets you build the team your projects depend on.
Common Challenges
- Critical trade shortages
Carpenters, electricians and bricklayers are in short supply, delaying builds and inflating costs.
- Skills assessment for trades
Some trade applicants may require a formal skills assessment, depending on their occupation, passport country and visa pathway. Where one is required (for example through Trades Recognition Australia), it must be managed correctly.
- Labour market testing
Nominations are refused when advertising doesn’t meet strict requirements — timing and evidence matter.
- Award & salary compliance
Roles must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold and relevant award/EBA rates.
How We Help
- Occupation matching
We map each role to the correct occupation and the visa program best suited to it.
- Skills assessment support
We coordinate the trade skills assessment process and prepare a compliant application.
- Compliant LMT
We manage labour market testing so your nominations stand up to scrutiny.
- Regional concessions
Where you operate regionally, we access DAMA and regional concessions to widen your options.
Occupations We Sponsor
Skilled Construction Roles We Help Fill
A selection of occupations we commonly help construction employers sponsor. Eligibility depends on the occupation, visa program and current legislation — we’ll confirm the right pathway for each role.
- Carpenters & Joiners
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Bricklayers
- Concreters
- Steel Fixers
- Painters
- Glaziers
- Roof Tilers
- Construction Project Managers
- Civil Engineers
- Structural Engineers
- Plant & Machinery Operators
- Site Supervisors
Don’t see the role you need? Many occupations can be sponsored through a Labour Agreement or DAMA even when they’re not on a standard list — ask us.
Occupation availability and visa eligibility depend on the applicable occupation lists, location, salary, candidate qualifications and experience, and whether a standard sponsorship, regional or labour agreement pathway is available.
Visa Pathways
Sponsorship Options for Construction Employers
We advise on and manage the visa program best suited to your roles, timeframes and long-term workforce plans.
Employer Nomination Scheme (186)
Retain proven tradespeople and site staff permanently through Direct Entry or the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
DAMA & Labour Agreements
For regional projects or hard-to-fill roles, access occupation and salary concessions beyond the standard program.
How It Works
From Recruitment to Visa — Managed End to End
1. Strategy call & workforce assessment
We review the roles you need to fill, assess occupation eligibility and recommend the most effective sponsorship pathway for your business.
2. Become an approved sponsor
We prepare and lodge your Standard Business Sponsorship (or negotiate a Labour Agreement / DAMA), establishing your business as an approved sponsor.
3. Nominate & lodge the visa
We manage labour market testing, salary benchmarking, the nomination and the worker’s visa application — ensuring every requirement is met.
4. Approval, obligations & permanent residence
We manage the application through to a decision, help you understand and manage your sponsorship obligations, and plan ahead for key workers. May provide a pathway to permanent residence, subject to the employer and visa holder meeting the applicable requirements at that time.
Free Preliminary Enquiry
Free Preliminary Employer Assessment
Tell us about your workforce needs. Our team will undertake an initial screening and advise whether sponsorship may be worth exploring and which professional service would be appropriate.
Responsible Migration Agent
Fiona Carre – Director
Registered Migration Agent – MARN 0638808
Stratton Migration Australia Pty Ltd
Stratton Migration Australia is led by Fiona Carre, Registered Migration Agent – MARN 0638808, and supported by an experienced migration team.
- An initial screening of your circumstances, at no cost
- A clear answer on whether we can assist
- The consultation or assessment service that fits, with fees confirmed before booking
Enquiring about your own visa? Submit an individual enquiry instead