Australia has a strong demand for workers in various unskilled and semi-skilled labor sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, construction, and healthcare support. Many employers are willing to sponsor foreign workers for temporary or permanent residency visas if they can fill critical labor shortages. Below is a detailed list of industries and companies that commonly sponsor unskilled workers, along with visa options and application tips.
1 Industries That Sponsor Unskilled Workers
Certain sectors in Australia frequently hire and sponsor foreign workers for roles that do not require advanced qualifications. These include:
A. Agriculture & Farming
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Common Jobs: Fruit pickers, farmhands, meat processors
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Visa Types: Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), Seasonal Worker Program
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Key Employers:
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Costa Group (fruit and vegetable farms)
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Manbulloo Limited (mango farms)
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Teys Australia (meat processing)
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B. Hospitality & Tourism
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Common Jobs: Kitchen hands, cleaners, hotel staff
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Visa Types: TSS visa (subclass 482), Working Holiday visa (subclass 417/462)
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Key Employers:
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Accor Hotels
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McDonald’s Australia (for certain regional roles)
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Hospowork Resourcing (recruits for pubs and clubs)
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C. Construction & Laboring
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Common Jobs: General laborers, trades assistants
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Visa Types: TSS visa (subclass 482), Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)
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Key Employers:
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Lendlease (large construction projects)
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Downer Group (infrastructure and mining support)
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D. Cleaning & Maintenance
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Common Jobs: Commercial cleaners, janitors
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Visa Types: TSS visa (subclass 482)
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Key Employers:
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Spotless Group (facility services)
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ISS Facility Services
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2 Companies Known to Sponsor Unskilled Workers
While many unskilled roles are filled through labor hire companies, some businesses directly sponsor foreign workers.
A. AgriLabour (Agriculture)
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Positions: Fruit picking, packing, farm work
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Sponsorship: Partners with farmers for seasonal and temporary visas
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How to Apply: Register on their website for job alerts
B. Programmed (Multiple Industries)
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Positions: General labor, cleaning, maintenance
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Sponsorship: Occasionally sponsors for long-term roles
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How to Apply: Check job listings on their careers page
C. WorkPac (Mining & Labor)
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Positions: Entry-level mining and construction roles
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Sponsorship: Some regional roles offer visa support
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How to Apply: Submit applications via their job portal
3 How to Get an Unskilled Sponsorship Visa
Step 1: Check Visa Eligibility
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Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482): Requires employer sponsorship.
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Working Holiday visa (subclass 417/462): Allows short-term work (can transition to sponsorship).
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Regional Visas (e.g., subclass 494): For workers in designated regional areas.
Step 2: Find an Employer Willing to Sponsor
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Search job sites like Seek, Indeed, and Jora for “sponsorship” or “visa support” roles.
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Apply through labor hire agencies specializing in unskilled labor.
Step 3: Apply for the Visa
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Once an employer agrees to sponsor, they must lodge a nomination.
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You then apply for the visa with proof of job offer and skills (if required).
4 Alternative Pathways for Unskilled Workers
If sponsorship is difficult, consider:
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Working Holiday Visa: Gain local experience, then seek employer sponsorship.
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Regional Work: Many regional employers sponsor workers after temporary employment.
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Student Visa: Study a short course in Australia, then work part-time and seek sponsorship.
Conclusion
While Australia prioritizes skilled migration, there are still opportunities for unskilled workers to secure sponsored visas, especially in agriculture, hospitality, and laboring roles. Companies like Costa Group, Accor Hotels, and Programmed occasionally sponsor foreign workers for essential jobs. To improve your chances, target industries with labor shortages, apply through recruitment agencies, and consider regional work options. With persistence, securing an unskilled sponsorship visa in Australia is possible.
