If a sponsored worker on a 482 visa loses their job – whether through redundancy, resignation, or termination – they have up to 180 days to either find a new approved employer sponsor or make arrangements to depart Australia. This ‘grace period’ also extend to 365 days in total across the period for the duration of the 482 visa grant. This was introduced to give skilled workers a genuine opportunity to transition between employers without immediately falling into an unlawful status.
For the outgoing employer, the sponsorship obligation does not end the moment the employment relationship does. The employer must notify the Department of Home Affairs promptly when a sponsored worker’s employment ceases. Failure to do so is a breach of sponsorship obligations and can result in sanctions.
For the worker, the 180-day period is a genuine window of opportunity, but it requires active effort. Finding a new employer who is an approved Standard Business Sponsor, and completing a new nomination and potentially a new visa application, within 180 days is achievable but not automatic. We regularly assist clients in this situation.
An important change to note: work experience accumulated under multiple sponsors now counts cumulatively toward the two-year qualifying period for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream, it no longer resets with each change of employer. However, only time worked being sponsored can be counted, that is, when you are switching employers, the time working for the new employer before the nomination transfer application is submitted cannot be counted towards the qualifying period.