Employer sponsored visas for Queensland businesses
You found the right person. Now let's keep them. Employer sponsorship for businesses that can't fill roles locally. 482 Skills in Demand, 186 permanent residence and 494 regional visas, prepared so they're decision-ready on the day they're lodged.
- Advice direct from a Registered Migration Agent
- Honest assessment, even when the answer is no
- Phone, video or in-person in Brisbane
★ 4.8 on Google from 64 reviews
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Most sponsorship problems start before anything is lodged
I have spent close to twenty years watching good employers lose good workers to paperwork. Not because the worker wasn't skilled, and not because the business didn't genuinely need them, but because the nomination was lodged with a weak position description, a salary that sat a few dollars under a threshold that had quietly moved, or labour market testing that didn't hold up.
The rules moved again on 1 July 2026. Income thresholds were indexed, government charges rose sharply, and the Department is reading nominations more closely than ever. A role that qualified in June can fail in July with the same salary.
My job is to look at your business the way a case officer will, before they do, and fix what needs fixing while it is still cheap to fix.
Where things stand (October 2026)
Core Skills stream
The Core Skills Income Threshold was indexed on 1 July 2026 to $79,423. The salary must also meet the market rate for the role.
Specialist Skills stream
For roles paying $146,576 or more in eligible occupations, with no occupation list.
Permanent residence
The 186 visa remains the main route from sponsored worker to permanent resident for most employers.
Government fees
Most visa application charges rose by around 25% from 1 July 2026, so a refused application costs more than it used to.
Figures are general information current at 14 October 2026 and change regularly. They are not advice about your circumstances.
How it works
Workforce review
We look at the roles you need filled, your business records and whether sponsorship is genuinely the right tool.
Decision-ready preparation
Sponsorship, nomination and visa prepared together, with evidence lined up against each criterion.
Ongoing obligations
Sponsors carry legal obligations after grant. We help you meet them so a future nomination isn't put at risk.
Who you'll be speaking with
I'm Nathan Joo, founder and principal director of Cornerstone Migration and a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1173091). For nearly two decades I have worked in Australian and New Zealand migration, employer sponsorship, skilled visa pathways and workforce strategy.
I started this practice because I believe migrants deserve advice that puts their future first. You will get an honest assessment, including when the answer is that a visa is unlikely, and you will deal with me, not a call centre.
You can verify my registration on the official register of migration agents.
What our clients say
Genuine reviews from Cornerstone Migration clients on Google.
64 Google reviews
“After my previous visa refusal, I was really stressed and worried about what would happen next. When I met Nathan, he made things feel a lot more manageable… My case wasn't simple, but he handled everything calmly and professionally.”
“The whole process has been incredibly fast, smooth, and professional. Communication has always been clear, polite, and very responsive… They genuinely care about their clients and explain everything clearly.”
“Everything was prepared so carefully and professionally, and I always felt that I was in good hands. The attention to detail and clear guidance made the whole process much less stressful.”
Common questions
How long does employer sponsorship take?
It depends on the stream, the occupation and how complete the application is on lodgement. A complete, well-evidenced application is the single biggest thing you can control.
Do I need to advertise the job first?
In most cases labour market testing is required before nominating. The rules on where and how long to advertise are specific, and getting them wrong is a common reason for refusal.
Can a sponsored worker become a permanent resident?
Often yes, through the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme once the worker meets the requirements. We plan for that from the start.
Is it legal to ask the worker to pay sponsorship costs?
No. Sponsors must not recover certain costs from the worker, and asking for payment in exchange for sponsorship is a serious offence. We help employers stay well clear of this.
Let's look at your situation
Call now or send an enquiry and we'll come back to you within one business day.