Businesses that support Permanent Residence (PR) pathways for their employees contribute to long-term workforce stability and enhance employee loyalty to the organisation.
This case study highlights how Interstaff’s strategic expertise helped an employer overcome a specific immigration challenge impacting a key employee.
The Case:
From Recruitment to Retention
A multinational resources employer faced ongoing difficulties in filling a specialised role through local recruitment but received strong applications from skilled migrant candidates.
With multiple qualified individuals to choose from, the key challenge for the employer shifted from assessing credentials to identifying a candidate likely to remain committed to the business long-term—highlighting the role of determining eligibility for Permanent Residence pathways early in the hiring decision.
Actions Taken
Long-Term Needs Assessment:
Interstaff worked closely with the client to understand their ongoing workforce planning needs, including how essential the role was to business operations and its difficulty to fill locally.
Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment:
Candidates were evaluated not only for temporary skilled migration suitability but also for long-term Permanent Residence pathways.
This included advice on age-related thresholds—such as nearing 45 years of age or children approaching 23—which impact future migration options.
These insights supported recruitment decisions by identifying candidates with viable long-term settlement pathways.
Tailored Permanent Residence Pathway Advice:
Based on the client’s objectives, Interstaff provided clear comparisons of available Permanent Residence Visa options, outlining the features, benefits, and limitations of each:
- Subclass 186 Direct Entry – Immediate Permanent Residence
- Subclass 186 Transition Stream – Requires two years of residence on a temporary visa to be eligible.
- Subclass 494 Regional Visa – Overall a lower-cost Permanent Residence pathway, but requires three years of regional work and residence for Permanent Residence.
The client opted for the 186 Transition Stream, preferring its administrative simplicity and lower risk in ensuring the candidate’s performance and cultural fit are well established before supporting their Permanent Residence application.
Interstaff confirmed a migration strategy to engage the worker on a 482 Visa with a pathway to Permanent Residence after two years.
Standard Business Sponsorship Compliance Advice:
Interstaff guided the client on sponsorship obligations to ensure ongoing Permanent Residence eligibility was maintained for the candidate.
Key considerations included:
- Maintaining consistency in the nominated occupation throughout the visa period.
- Ensuring salary levels met regulatory thresholds.
482 Visa Application Support:
Interstaff managed all aspects of the 482 Nomination and Visa application process.
The visa was successfully granted, enabling the candidate to commence employment with a clear pathway to Permanent Residence.
Proactive Visa Monitoring:
The Interstaff team provided weekly visa status summaries, flagging any upcoming expiries within a six-month window to allow for early Permanent Residence planning.
This enabled the business to consider the employee’s Permanent Residence application in a timely manner, ensuring a smooth transition to long-term employment.
Resolution
The client successfully secured a highly skilled candidate for a critical role that had proven to be consistently difficult to fill locally—while also establishing a clear pathway to Permanent Residence.
By incorporating Permanent Residence considerations early in the recruitment process, Interstaff helped the business utilise the skilled migration program not only as an immediate staffing solution but also as a strategic tool to support long-term employee retention.
Interstaff provided expert guidance throughout the process—clarifying key factors affecting candidate eligibility, outlining suitable Permanent Residence pathways, advising on compliance to maintain Permanent Residence eligibility, and facilitating a transition from temporary to permanent residence once the candidate qualified.
Talk to us to explore how Permanent Residence pathways can support your business’ workforce and retention strategy.
Getting Sponsored
If you have a business willing to sponsor you, it is essential to understand your eligibility for Permanent Residence.
Interstaff provide eligibility assessments to both individuals and employers.
Experience & Insights
Explore more about Permanent Residence pathways, how we work, our experience and insights.
Permanent Residence Planning
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
Subclass 186
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
Subclass 494
About Interstaff
Interstaff has delivered Australian immigration solutions since 1988. With over 35 years of expertise in skilled migration, we help businesses meet labour shortages with confidence.
Our proven track record spans small and medium enterprises to large multinational corporations across industries such as Oil and Gas, Mining, Engineering, IT, Government, Agriculture, Health, and Education. We understand the distinct immigration challenges each sector faces and tailor our recommended strategies accordingly.
Headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, our team combines local insight with global reach.
We are committed to a customer-centric approach—supporting both employers and their employees throughout every stage of the immigration process.
Speak with Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents to explore long-term skills solutions.
