The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) is closely monitoring Australia’s migration and visa program in…
New skilling australians fund (saf) levy
Australia’s local labour market has a shortage of skilled Australians and the Federal Government has sought to redress this imbalance by introducing a levy that, managed by the Department of Education and Training (DET), will provide training specifically for Australian citizens.
In order to develop the expertise, competence and know-how of Australian’s own citizens, the Federal Government has determined that building this fund for training opportunities will eventually increase the supply pool of skilled local workers.
Since 12 August 2018, the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is compulsory for all employers who lodge a nomination application for a foreign worker. The SAF levy is payable by employers upon nomination of their candidate for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa and ENS and RSMS (subclass 186 and 187) visas.
Whether your business is a start-up or an established small or large company, upon nominating a candidate, your business will be required to help Australians receive course training and apprenticeships through the new Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
The SAF levy replaces the training benchmarks previously assessed for sponsoring overseas workers on 457 visas and is an employer requirement for the TSS 482 visa. However, if you have been a sponsor in the past, you are still expected to have met your obligations leading up to the introduction of the SAF.
How much does a Business Sponsor pay to the SAF?
TSS 482 Nominations:
| Business Size | Levy Amount | Multiplied by? |
| Small (turnover < $10 million per annum) | $1,200.00 | The number of years you wish to sponsor the employee |
| Large (turnover > $10 million per annum) | $1,800.00 | The number of years you wish to sponsor the employee |
For example, a business with a turnover of < $8 million per annum wishing to sponsor someone for 4 years would have a SAF Levy, due and payable at the time of application, calculated as follows:
$1,200.00 (fee according to business size) x 4 (number of years) = $4,800.00
ENS 186 / RSMS 187 Nominations:
| Business Size | Levy Amount | Payment Frequency |
| Small (turnover < $10 million per annum) | $3,000.00 | One-time only per nominee |
| Large (turnover > $10 million per annum) | $5,000.00 | One-time only per nominee |
What else does a Business Sponsor need to know?
The amount of levy paid by a business sponsor is capped, so go ahead and nominate several candidates if that is what your business needs.
Refunds are not usually given, however there are some specific circumstances that may warrant a refund to a business sponsor.
Under no circumstances may a business sponsor pass the cost of the SAF levy on to a nominee. This is your responsibility as an employer nominating an overseas skilled worker.
For more information… It’s important that you seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent, and Great Migration Strategies can help you prepare your nomination applications and more.
Skilling Australians Fund Levy – Fact Sheet: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/work/empl/skilling-australia-fund
How can Great Migration Strategies help?
Talk to our Great Migration Strategies Team today to see how wep can assist you with the SAF Levy. Contact us on (0412) 388 830, or by visiting the Contact Us page on our website.
