Effective July 1, 2023, the Australian Government, working in collaboration with Talent Beyond Boundaries, is piloting a program aimed at providing skilled refugees with a pathway to live and work in Australia. Under this pilot program, endorsed Australian businesses will be able to use a Labour Agreement to sponsor skilled refugees to work in their business.
The Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement pilot program can be used by endorsed Australian employers to sponsor an approved skilled overseas worker on a permanent or temporary basis under the following employer sponsored visa programs:
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (subclass 494) visa program with a permanent pathway to a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) available after three years;
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa program on a direct entry basis;
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa.
The following occupations are now available for businesses seeking to sponsor workers under a Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement for any of the above employer sponsored visas.
- All occupations currently listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and Regional Occupation List (ROL).
- 33 additional occupations listed in Table 1 here.
Before an Australian business can apply for a Labour Agreement under the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement pilot program, they must receive written endorsement from Talent Beyond Boundaries. Employers interested in participating in the pilot should register their interest with Talent Beyond Boundaries.
MARN: 0101248