Quick guide to the Skilling Australians Fund and the nomination training contribution charge
For nomination applications lodged on or after 12 August 2018, employers sponsoring workers on certain visas are required to pay a ‘nomination training contribution’ (NTC) towards the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF).
These visas include:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) visa
How much do employers have to pay?
The amount payable is specified in the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Regulations 2018 and depends on:
- the annual turnover of the sponsoring business; and
- the proposed period of stay in Australia.
For businesses with turnover of less than $10 million per year:
| Visa type | Visa period | Amount payable (A$) |
TSS visa with occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) | 1 year | $1,200 |
TSS visa with occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) | 2 years | $2,400 |
TSS visa with occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) | 3 years | $3,600 |
TSS visa with occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) | 4 years | $4,800 |
ENS or RSMS visa with occupation on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills list (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL) | Permanent | $3,000 |
For businesses with turnover of $10 million or more per year:
| Visa type | Visa period | Amount payable (A$) |
TSS visa with occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) | 1 year | $1,800 |
TSS visa with occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) | 2 years | $3,600 |
TSS visa with occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) | 3 years | $5,400 |
TSS visa with occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) | 4 years | $7,200 |
ENS or RSMS visa with occupation on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills list (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL) | Permanent | $5,000 |
When is the payment due?
Employers should note that the NTC must be paid in full at the time of lodging a nomination application (ie. it is a ‘time of application’ requirement). This has caused issues, particularly for employers whose nominations end up being refused at a later date.
Can employers be refunded?
Refunds of the training contribution charge may be made under certain situations.
Reason | The nomination fee may be refunded where… |
Incorrect SAF levy payment | the nomination is withdrawn because the information in the nomination used to work out the nomination training contribution charge was incorrect. |
Sponsorship application withdrawn or refused | the nomination is withdrawn because the person has withdrawn their application to be approved as a standard business sponsor or their sponsorship application is refused. |
Visa application is refused on certain grounds | the related TSS visa application is refused under s501, s501A or s501B of the Act or because the visa applicant did not satisfy public interest criterion 4001, 4002, 4003, 4007 or 4020 (ie. health or character grounds). |
Failure to commence employment | a TSS visa is granted on the basis of the nomination and the visa holder fails to commence employment in the position associated with the nominated occupation. |
Labour agreement not entered into | the person withdraws the nomination, as their requested labour agreement is not entered into. |
contact us
51 Albion Street,
Surry Hills,
Sydney NSW 2010
AUSTRALIA
Monday to Friday
9am - 5:30pm
(or flexible by appointment)
Abacus Visa Pty Ltd. ACN: 147099303
Abacus Visa & Migration Services Pty Ltd. ABN: 58169966036
© COPYRIGHT 2024 ABACUS VISA / +61 2 9212 4008 / PRIVACY POLICY
DISCLAIMER: No material on this website, including but not limited to documents, articles, general comments, responses and other communications should be interpreted as relevant or accurate legal advice for any individual or specific situation. The information is of a general nature and cannot substitute for professional legal advice. Such advice is only provided by our firm following the acceptance by a client of our written agreement, and the payment of the required fees.