Pay Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
Sponsors of 482 visa applicants pay SAF levy at nomination time.
Who must comply
Employers nominating a position for a Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), or Subclass 186 or 187 visa, whether the employer is in Australia or overseas.
What triggers it
Making a nomination of a proposed occupation for a sponsored worker under section 140GB of the Migration Act or regulation 5.19 of the Migration Regulations.
When due
On the nomination day, when the nomination (or the application for approval of a nomination) is made. Annual turnover is measured for the most recent income year ending before that day.
Evidence required
Annual turnover figures for the most recent income year before the nomination day (total ordinary income for a business operating in Australia); calculation of the charge by visa subclass and years of proposed stay; payment receipt for each nomination; Labour Agreement documents where a nil charge is claimed.
Max penalty
The SAF levy is a statutory charge rather than a penalty: the amount payable is fixed by the Charges Regulations (up to $1,800 per year of proposed stay for a 482 nomination, or $5,000 for a 494, 186 or 187 nomination by a business with turnover of $10 million or more), within the indexed charge limit in s 9 of the Charges Act
Summary
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is the nomination training contribution charge imposed by the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Act 2018 and payable under section 140ZM of the Migration Act 1958 when an employer nominates a position for a sponsored skilled worker. The amount is set by the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Regulations 2018 and depends on the employer's annual turnover (under or over $10 million) and the visa. For Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) and older 457/482 nominations, a base amount of $1,200 (turnover under $10 million) or $1,800 applies for each year of the proposed stay of 1 to 4 years. Permanent Subclass 186 and 187 nominations, and Subclass 494 regional nominations for a visa applicant, attract $3,000 or $5,000 (a formula applies when nominating an existing 494 holder). The charge is nil for Labour Agreement nominations of a minister of religion or religious assistant. It applies whether the nomination is made in or outside Australia.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Topics
Related
- CWLTHDocument VEVO checks + retain employer records (s 245AYL Migration Act)Employers should document VEVO checks at hire; statutory defence for compliant employers.
- CWLTHSkills in Demand visa (subclass 482) — 3 streams from 7 December 2024Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) nominations are made in one of 3 streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills or Labour Agreement.
- CWLTHComply with Standard Business Sponsor obligations (482 + 494)Business sponsors of 482 / 494 visas must meet labour market testing, equivalent terms + record-keeping.
- CWLTHVerify work rights via VEVO before employmentEmployers must verify visa work rights via VEVO before hiring non-citizens.
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy?
- Employers nominating a position for a Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), or Subclass 186 or 187 visa, whether the employer is in Australia or overseas.
- What triggers Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy?
- Making a nomination of a proposed occupation for a sponsored worker under section 140GB of the Migration Act or regulation 5.19 of the Migration Regulations.
- When is Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy due?
- On the nomination day, when the nomination (or the application for approval of a nomination) is made. Annual turnover is measured for the most recent income year ending before that day.
- What is the maximum penalty for Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy?
- The SAF levy is a statutory charge rather than a penalty: the amount payable is fixed by the Charges Regulations (up to $1,800 per year of proposed stay for a 482 nomination, or $5,000 for a 494, 186 or 187 nomination by a business with turnover of $10 million or more), within the indexed charge limit in s 9 of the Charges Act
- What evidence is required for Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy?
- Annual turnover figures for the most recent income year before the nomination day (total ordinary income for a business operating in Australia); calculation of the charge by visa subclass and years of proposed stay; payment receipt for each nomination; Labour Agreement documents where a nil charge is claimed.
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2018L01092/latest/text. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.