The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy: Investing in the Future of the Australian Workforce

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a fee that is required for certain employer-sponsored visa applications in Australia. The levy was introduced in 2018 as part of the government's commitment to address skills shortages and to invest in training for Australian workers.

The SAF levy is applied to employers who are sponsoring foreign workers for certain visa types, including the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

The amount of the SAF levy varies depending on the size of the employer and the length of the visa. For the TSS program, small businesses, with a turnover under $10 million, pay a levy of $1200 for each year of the visa validity being requested. Large businesses, with a turnover of over $10 million, pay a levy of $1800 for each year of the visa validity being requested.

The revenue from the SAF levy is used to fund a range of training and apprenticeship programs for Australian workers. This includes the establishment of the Skilling Australians Fund, which provides funding for apprenticeships and traineeships in key industries.

The SAF levy is only refunded in certain circumstances where an application is unsuccessful. Therefore, making mistakes in the application can be a costly exercise. Getting professional advice to assist you in navigating sponsoring employees can save you delays and fees in not getting the process right from the outset.

Sponsoring an employee in Australia is a complex process that requires careful planning and compliance with a range of legal and administrative requirements. At SCA Connect we work with you to make the process as seamless as possible. Contact one of our Registered Migration Agents for further information.

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 contact SCA Connect.