Calculation 

The levy is payable in full when you submit a nomination application.

The online form will calculate the amount you must pay, which depends on the:

• size of the sponsoring business and

• proposed period of stay of the overseas worker in Australia.

Levy payments are tax deductible.

Sponsors who are party to a labour agreement must pay the levy.

Only ministers of religion and religious assistants nominated under the Labour Agreement streams of the TSS or ENS visas are exempt.

Note:

• The nomination application form lets you select only 1 of the radio buttons for a 1, 2, 3 or 4 year nomination period. The levy payment is calculated based on the selected option.

• You must pay the levy when you submit your nomination application. This includes where a nomination application is being lodged to allow a TSS visa holder to change employer or occupation.

Getting a refund

Refunds of the levy are only available in any of the following scenarios:

• The sponsorship and visa applications are approved, but the overseas skilled worker (visa holder) does not arrive/commence employment with the employer.

• The employer's sponsorship and nomination application for the overseas skilled worker is approved, but the associated visa application is refused on health or character grounds.

• A TSS visa holder leaves the sponsoring employer within the first 12 months of employment where the visa period was for more than 12 months. Refunds will only be available in this scenario for unused full years of the SAF levy.

  • Note: This does not apply to ENS or RSMS holders who leave their employer within the first 12 months of employment.

• The nomination fee is refunded (for example where a concurrent sponsor application is refused).

• Training benchmarks

• The training benchmarks will no longer apply from 12 August 2018.

For the ENS visa, the training benchmarks will only apply to nomination applications lodged before 12 August 2018.

For TSS visas, the sponsorship obligation regarding the training benchmarks will only apply for the 12 month period ending on or before 12 August 2018.