Skills in Demand (482)
Sponsor skilled trades and engineers for up to four years to keep production moving. 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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Manufacturing Employers
Employer-Sponsored Migration for Manufacturing & Engineering
Keep your production lines running with skilled overseas fitters, welders, toolmakers and engineers. We help manufacturers sponsor the technical talent that keeps operations moving.
482 & 186sponsorship pathways tailored to manufacturing
The Workforce Challenge
Filling the Manufacturing Skills Gap
An ageing workforce and specialised skill requirements make skilled trades and engineers hard to replace. Sponsorship gives manufacturers a reliable pipeline of technical talent.
Common Challenges
- Ageing, retiring workforce
Experienced tradespeople are retiring faster than they can be replaced locally.
- Specialised technical skills
CNC, toolmaking and precision welding roles need specific competencies that are scarce.
- Shift-critical vacancies
Unfilled roles on production lines directly reduce output and reliability.
- Occupation & salary rules
Roles must meet occupation eligibility and income thresholds to be nominated.
How We Help
- Technical role matching
We align specialised roles with the correct occupation codes and visa program.
- Skills assessment support
We coordinate trade skills assessments where required for your nominees.
- End-to-end management
Sponsorship, nomination and visa lodgement handled so your line keeps running.
- Retention planning
We plan permanent pathways to keep the skilled workers you’ve trained.
Occupations We Sponsor
Skilled Manufacturing Roles We Help Fill
A selection of occupations we commonly help manufacturing employers sponsor. Eligibility depends on the occupation, visa program and current legislation — we’ll confirm the right pathway for each role.
- Fitters & Turners
- Welders
- Metal Fabricators
- Toolmakers
- CNC Machinists
- Boilermakers
- Sheetmetal Trades Workers
- Industrial Electricians
- Maintenance Fitters
- Mechanical Engineers
- Production / Plant Managers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Quality Assurance Managers
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 Manufacturing Employers
We advise on and manage the visa program best suited to your roles, timeframes and long-term workforce plans.
Employer Nomination Scheme (186)
Secure your key technical staff permanently and retain the skills you’ve invested in.
Labour Agreements
Where niche or emerging roles fall outside standard lists, we negotiate a tailored agreement with government.
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