Australia's public register of approved sponsors: what's coming in 2026
By the SponsorMap team · Last updated 30 October 2026
Australia is introducing an official, government-run public register of approved work sponsors. For the first time, the Department of Home Affairs will be able to publish a list of the employers approved to sponsor skilled workers. This guide explains what the register is, what it will show, when it's expected, and what it means whether you're a worker looking for a sponsor or an employer in the system.
Official source: Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 — Federal Register of Legislation ↗
What the law actually does
The register comes from the Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 8 April 2026. The Act inserts a new provision (section 140GD) into the Migration Act 1958 that gives the Department the legal authority to publish information about approved work sponsors on its website. The Act creates the power and framework to publish — the specific details are to be set out in the Migration Regulations, which are still to be finalised.
What the register will show (and what it won't)
Based on the legislation and its explanatory materials, the register is expected to include, for each approved sponsor: the business name, ABN, postcode, the number of workers nominated, and the kinds of occupations nominated. It is a register of employers, not workers — it is not expected to publish any personal information about visa holders or applicants.
Which sponsors are included
The register covers approved standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors who have nominated skilled workers for entry to Australia — that is, the employers actively participating in the sponsored-work program (the Skills in Demand subclass 482 and related programs).
Why it's being created
The measure sits within a broader push to combat migrant worker exploitation and increase transparency and accountability in the sponsorship system. A practical effect is greater public visibility of who is an approved sponsor — useful for oversight, and for workers and the public who want to see which employers participate in the program.
When it starts (the precise timing)
The Act commences on a date fixed by Proclamation, or automatically six months after Royal Assent — so by 8 October 2026 at the latest. That date is when the enabling law is in force. The register itself is expected to follow during 2026, once the supporting regulations are made and the Department builds it; an exact launch date for the live register has not been fixed. We're tracking it and will update this guide as details are confirmed.
What it means for you
For workers, an official register is good news: more transparency about who can sponsor you. But an official government list is likely to be a basic, English-only directory. SponsorMap already maps Australia's accredited sponsors in a searchable, filterable form — by occupation, state and industry — in four languages, with guides to help you act on what you find. Once the official register is live, it becomes another trusted data source; our focus is making that data genuinely usable. Look up your occupation to start exploring who can sponsor you now, or see our guide on how to find a visa sponsor for a step-by-step approach.
Frequently asked questions
- When does Australia's public register of sponsors start?
- The enabling law commences by 8 October 2026 at the latest. The live register is expected during 2026, once regulations are finalised and the Department builds it; an exact date hasn't been set.
- What information will the register show?
- It's expected to show each approved sponsor's business name, ABN, postcode, number of nominations, and the occupations nominated.
- Will it show workers' personal details?
- No. It is a register of approved sponsoring employers, not of visa holders or applicants.
- Is it free?
- Yes — it will be published on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Which employers will be listed?
- Approved standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors who have nominated skilled workers.
Related resources
About this guide
This guide is maintained by the SponsorMap team and reviewed against official Australian government sources. SponsorMap's company data comes from the Department of Home Affairs list of approved sponsors. Visa rules and figures are based on the Department of Home Affairs and are updated as they change. Always confirm your situation with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
Rules change — always verify with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent (MARA).
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