Construction & Trades Visa Australia
Matilda handles 482 Core Skills and 186 ENS sponsorship for welders, electricians, carpenters and mechanics in Australia - for employers who need to fill a role and tradespeople who need a sponsor.
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Why tradespeople & employers choose Matilda
Experienced registered migration agents
Your case is handled by MARA-registered agents who specialise in employer sponsorship, not generalists.
We build the entire case file
Sponsorship, nomination and visa application- prepared and lodged by Matilda.
We track CSOL changes and policy shifts
Your application reflects current rules, not last year's guidance.
4.9 stars from 90+ Google reviews
Real clients, verified reviews, across every visa type we handle.
We are your central contact point
We liaise with your employer and the Department on your behalf.
Unlimited support
From initial application through to visa grant and beyond
Eligibility
AssessmentWe evaluate your qualifications, work experience, and English proficiency to determine the best visa pathway
Application Management
Track progress, respond to requests for information, and handle any complications
Documentation Support
Comprehensive checklists and guidance to ensure your application is complete and accurate
Skills Assessment
Guide you through the relevant assessing authority requirements for your occupation
Employer Liaison
We work directly with your sponsoring employer to streamline the nomination process
Ongoing Support
From initial application through to visa grant and beyond
For employers
Sponsor a tradesperson from overseas
- Standard Business Sponsorship lodgement
- Labour Market Testing evidence file
- ANZSCO classification confirmed per trade before lodging
- CSOL eligibility confirmed upfront
For trades
Get sponsored and build toward permanent residency
- Visa pathway assessment (482 vs 186)
- Skills assessment guidance
- Application lodgement and case management
- PR pathway planning from day one
Your trade visa options -
482 Core Skills & 186 ENS explained
If you're comparing welder sponsorship options in Australia as a candidate, or you're the employer trying to fill the role, Matilda Migration manages two employer-sponsored visa pathways for tradespeople: the 482 Core Skills stream (temporary, up to 4 years) and the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (permanent).
Most welders and other trades workers start on a 482 and move to the 186 after two or more years with the same employer, though a small number qualify to apply for the 186 directly.
Which trade occupations qualify for sponsorship?
Tradie visa 482 & 186 processing times
From temporary to permanent -
the trade PR pathway in Australia
Welder, electrician, carpenter and motor mechanic are all on the Core Skills Occupation List- which, since the December 2024 reform, is also the occupation list used for the 186 Direct Entry stream. That gives every trade on this page two ways to permanent residency.
Already have 3+ years' relevant experience and a positive skills assessment? All four trades on this page can apply through 186 Direct Entry instead- skipping the 482 step entirely. Most tradespeople we work with still take the 482 → TRT route above, but Direct Entry is genuinely open here, unlike some occupations. Matilda confirms which fits at the free eligibility assessment, before any fees are quoted.
Does your business qualify to sponsor a tradesperson?
Any lawfully operating Australian business can apply- there's no minimum turnover or headcount to become an approved sponsor under the 482 Core Skills stream. What matters is that the position is genuine, the salary meets the Core Skills Income Threshold, and the role sits on the Core Skills Occupation List.
How Matilda handles your employer sponsorship from start to finish
Here's exactly what to expect when you work with Matilda to get your overseas employees an Australian work visa.
You can also alternate between your view and what your employee will experience with us:
1. You'd like to sponsor an overseas candidate to work in your business
Your top candidate needs a visa with work rights in Australia - and the sooner you start the employer sponsorship process, the sooner they can start.
2. Understand which employer-sponsored visa is the right fit for your business
We will guide you on which employer-sponsored visa pathway is the right fit for you and the candidate, making it easier to plan staffing levels, budget, and processing timelines.
3. Ensure that you have the right to Sponsor them
Where necessary, we will help you obtain Government approval to become an approved employer sponsor - including preparing your Standard Business Sponsorship application. Where possible, we'll also help you achieve Accredited Sponsor status, which gives your applications priority processing and makes the process quicker every time you hire from overseas.
4. Check the candidate's eligibility for an employer-sponsored visa
We will assess your candidate's experience and skills to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements, and provide guidance on the minimum qualifications, work experience and English language ability needed for each position you wish to nominate under your sponsorship.
5. We’ll build the Standard Business Sponsorship, Nomination and Visa applications for you
We'll create the Sponsorship, Nomination and Visa applications so they meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for employer sponsorship. We'll also do the hard work for you - including the Genuine Position Statement, Labour Market Testing, Skills Assessment and Police Checks.
6. Final review and lodgement
Our Registered Migration Agent will complete the final review before lodgement, submit your employer sponsorship applications, and liaise directly with the Department of Home Affairs until the grant of the visa.
7. Receive post-lodgement support and compliance guidance
We will work with the Department of Home Affairs to respond immediately to any requests for further information, and work with you to ensure your business remains compliant with all approved sponsor obligations - so you avoid any issues with departmental monitoring or audits.
Get your visa!
Take your career to new places
“The Matilda team did an incredible job guiding us through this sponsorship, nomination and visa application process. All three applications were granted within 2 weeks of submission. Thank you Niamh and the team.”
Tom
Frequently asked questions
Can a welder get permanent residency in Australia?
Yes. Welder (ANZSCO 322313) is on the Core Skills Occupation List, which qualifies it for the 186 Direct Entry stream with 3+ years' relevant experience and a positive TRA skills assessment, or the Temporary Residence Transition stream after 2+ years on a 482 with the same employer. Most welders take the 482-then-186 route.
What are the 482 visa requirements for a welder?
The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor, must complete labour market testing, and must pay at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold ($79,423/yr from 1 July 2026). The welder needs qualifications or experience consistent with ANZSCO 322313, a positive TRA skills assessment in most cases, and IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) English.
Do welders need a skills assessment to get an Australian visa?
Usually yes. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses Welder, Metal Fabricator and Pressure Welder against the Certificate III standard. It isn't always mandatory for the 482, but it's commonly required when overseas qualifications aren't automatically recognised, and it's required for most 186 applications. Matilda advises on this at the eligibility assessment stage - leaving it late can add months.
Which other trade occupations can Matilda sponsor besides welders?
Metal Fabricator, Pressure Welder, Electrician (General and Special Class), Automotive Electrician, Carpenter, Motor Mechanic and Bricklayer are among the construction and automotive trades on the Core Skills Occupation List that Matilda can sponsor under the 482 Core Skills stream and the 186. If your candidate's role isn't listed here, ask at the eligibility assessment - we'll check the correct ANZSCO code.
What's the difference between the 482 visa and the 186 visa for tradespeople?
The 482 Core Skills stream is temporary, typically up to 4 years. The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme is permanent residence, reached either through the Temporary Residence Transition stream (2+ years with the same employer on a 482) or, for some occupations including Welder, the Direct Entry stream directly.
Is there a minimum salary to sponsor a tradesperson in Australia?
Yes - the Core Skills Income Threshold, which rises to AUD $79,423 a year for nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. The nominated salary has to meet or beat this figure for the 482 Core Skills stream and for 186 nominations. Matilda confirms this against the actual role before any fees are quoted.
How long does an employer-sponsored trades visa take to process?
There's no single fixed number worth quoting - check the Department's own processing-time tool for the live figure on your exact subclass, since it shifts with Home Affairs's workload through the year. Matilda pulls the current figure for you at the eligibility assessment too, so you're working from today's number, not an old one.
Can Matilda sponsor a tradesperson already in Australia on another visa?
Yes - this is one of the most common scenarios we work with. Many businesses have tradespeople on working holiday, student or other temporary visas they want to retain long-term. As long as the eligibility requirements are met and the business is an approved sponsor, Matilda manages the transition, including timing and bridging visa considerations.
