Sponsor Register Announced: What It Means for Approved Business Sponsors

The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025 passed both Houses of Parliament on 1 April 2026, marking an important update to Australia’s skilled migration framework.

As part of these changes, the Department of Home Affairs will establish a register of approved standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors who have nominated skilled workers for entry to Australia.

The information on the register may include the following:

• kind of approved work sponsor

• name of the approved work sponsor

• approved work sponsor’s ABN

• postcode (if any) associated with the approved work sponsor’s ABN

• number of nominations made by the approved work sponsor

• kinds of occupations covered by nominations made by the approved work sponsor

It is intended that the register will be maintained on the Department of Home Affairs website.

The Department will undertake stakeholder engagement and public communication of the changes ahead of launching the register.

Before launching the register, the Department will conduct stakeholder engagement and public communication to gather input from sponsors, industry groups, and other interested parties.

We will advise when the stakeholder consultation process commences.

Employers are strongly encouraged to take part in this process to:

• Provide feedback on the scope and format of information to be published

• Highlight potential implications for businesses within their industry.

• Contribute to a system that supports both compliance and operational effectiveness.

For further information and assistance, Book a consultation with one of experienced Registered Migration Agents today.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case-specific information or advice, please get in touch with SCA Connect.