Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy
Providing your business with the most up to date advice and assistance regarding sponsorship, nominating overseas workers and remaining compliant with sponsor obligations.
What Is SAF Levy?
Employers who nominate workers for certain temporary or permanent skilled work visas are required to pay an upfront levy to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF). Nominations for the following visas attract the SAF levy:
- Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa
- Subclass 457 Temporary Work Skilled visa (now abolished, but the SAF levy applies where the nomination relates to a subclass 457 visa holder changing occupation or sponsor)
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa
- Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa
The SAF is administered by the Department of Education and Training, and provides funding for apprenticeships and traineeships in occupations that are in short supply and currently rely on skilled migration, or have future growth potential, including in regional Australia.
SAF Levy Requirements
The SAF levy must be paid by the employer nominating the position at the time that the nomination is lodged. It cannot be transferred or otherwise recovered from a visa applicant or any other party.
Nominations for Subclass 457 and 482 visas
For these visas, the SAF levy varies with the employer’s annual turnover and the nominated visa period.
The SAF levy for employers with an annual turnover of LESS THAN AU$10 million is AU$1,200 for EACH year of the nominated visa applicant’s proposed period of stay in Australia.
The SAF levy for employers with an annual turnover of AT LEAST AU$10 million is AU$1,800 for EACH year of the nominated visa applicant’s proposed period of stay.
The table below sets out the current applicable SAF levy for the various subclass 457 and 482 nominated visa periods:
Skilling Australians Fund Levy Amounts: Subclass 482 & 457 Nominations | ||
Nominated Visa Period: | Employer’s Annual Turnover: <AU$10 million | Employer’s Annual Turnover: >AU$10 million |
One year | AU$1,200 | AU$1,800 |
Two years | AU$2,400 | AU$3,600 |
Three years | AU$3,600 | AU$5,400 |
Four years | AU$4,800 | AU$7,200 |
Nominations for Subclass 494, 186 and 187 visas
There is a one-off SAF levy for the provisional subclass 494 visa, and permanent subclass 186 and 187 visas, which varies with the employer’s annual turnover.
The SAF levy for employers with an annual turnover of LESS THAN AU$10 million is AU$3,000 per nomination.
The SAF levy for employers with an annual turnover of AT LEAST AU$10 million is AU$5,000 per nomination.
The table below sets out the current applicable SAF levy for subclass 494, 186 and 187 nominations:
Skilling Australians Fund Levy Amounts: Subclass 494, 186 & 187 Nominations | |
Employer’s Annual Turnover: <AU$10 million | Employer’s Annual Turnover: >AU$10 million |
AU$3,000 per nomination (one-off payment) | AU$5,000 per nomination (one-off payment) |
NOTES: If a subclass 494 visa holder changes employer, a pro-rated SAF levy is payable by the new sponsoring employer at the nomination stage for the remaining visa period of the subclass 494 visa.
The SAF levy is indexed and adjusted annually on 1 July.
The Department of Home Affairs (the ‘DOHA’) applies a surcharge to levies paid by credit/debit card or PayPal. The surcharge is a percentage of the SAF levy, and is based on the payment method used.
The SAF levy is NOT required for the occupations of Minister of Religion or Religious Assistant when nominated under the Labour Agreement stream for ANY of these visa subclasses.
SAF Levy Refund
The SAF levy may be refunded to the employer, in certain limited circumstances. For example, the DOHA may refund the SAF levy where the nomination or sponsorship has been withdrawn; the applicant fails to commence employment, or the related visa application is refused on health or character grounds (please note that this list is not exhaustive). In ALL cases, the refund may only be paid to the payer of the SAF levy.
Please contact us should you require further details regarding specific, permissible refund arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does our business need to pay the SAF levy every time we nominate a position?
Yes, the nominating employer must pay the SAF levy at the time that the relevant position nomination is lodged with the DOHA.
2. Can our business pass this SAF levy to the visa applicant, or recoup it from their wages?
No. The SAF levy must be paid by the employer nominating the position, and cannot be recovered or otherwise transferred to the visa applicant, or any other party.
3. Does our business need to pay the SAF levy for nominations that were lodged before 12 August 2018, but have not yet been decided?
No. The SAF levy applies ONLY to new nominations made on or after 12 August 2018.
4. The person who paid the SAF levy, using their credit card, has left our business. Can the DOHA refund the SAF levy to another person?
No. You will need to arrange for the individual who paid the SAF levy to have the refund transferred back to your business upon his/her receipt of the monies.
5. Our business currently employs subclass 482 TSS / subclass 457 visa holders and has a subclass 482 nomination lodged and in processing. Does our business still need to comply with the training benchmark requirement?
Standard Business sponsors are NOT required to meet the training benchmark for periods ending on or after 12 August 2018, as this is when the requirement was replaced by the SAF levy.
Here's what our clients have to say about us…
ExcellentBased on 177 reviewsLiz O' Connor16. April, 2024.Marine was extremely helpful with answering all my questions and helping with my visa process.James De Soyza15. April, 2024.Migration Unity is dedicated and focused to help you achieve your migration goals and dreams. The team behind MU is fantastic and committed to working closely with you to deliver above and beyond your expectations. I would highly recommend their services to my close friends and family.Raissa12. April, 2024.Marina has been incredibly helpful and attentive throughout the entire process for my 190-visa application, from the preparation of my skills assessment all the way through to lodgement of the visa. Marina has gone above and beyond to ensure that every detail of my application was handled efficiently and effectively. My case was complex, and her dedication, guidance and prompt responses made the entire process smooth and stress free. I highly recommend Migration Unity and Marina for anyone seeking visa assistance. Thank you again Marina for your outstanding support!Donnavi Miranda12. April, 2024.I am more than delighted with the expertise and professionalism of Taina and her team.They made my visa journey very smooth and hassle free.It gave me peace of mind and confidence knowing im with the BEST.Greg Ramphal11. April, 2024.Highly recommend!! Marina provided me with an incredible amount of information that was definitely very helpful and appreciated!! Thank you!!!Tara Hannigan19. March, 2024.I can’t thank migration unity enough for such a thorough and seamless process, completely took all of the stress off my hands and have secured me my visa in less than the standard processing time frame. Communication between Taina and myself has been great she has been there to advise at every step of the process putting my mind very much at ease, I would recommend them to anyone in a heartbeat.Justin Melgarejo (kidwoof)14. March, 2024.Matthew was a legend during our consult callZiva Silverman12. March, 2024.Matthew was very helpful during our consultation — he gave me some great suggestions and insights.Alina Colucci6. March, 2024.Had a fantastic experience with Preston at Migration Unity. Incredibly professional and provided in-depth information throughout the visa application process. The communication was excellent and I would definitely recommend Migration Unity. My visa was approved very quickly.Kevin Homer4. March, 2024.Just got my visa approval through migration unity and they have been nothing but professional from start to finish,thank you marina and taina for all there help, they made the process so much easier, thank you again.