Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
Statutory definition
The Skilling Australians Fund Act 2018 establishes the SAF levy framework. The levy amount depends on the business's turnover (small business: $1,200 per year of visa; standard business: $1,800 per year of visa) and is payable in full at the time of nomination lodgment. The levy is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the nomination.
Explanation
The SAF levy funds the Skilling Australians Fund, which supports vocational education and training for Australian workers. Employers who nominate workers for Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 must pay the levy before the nomination is processed. The levy is a significant upfront cost — for a 4-year Subclass 482 nomination with a standard business, the levy is $7,200. Unlike some other visa charges, the levy cannot be passed on to the sponsored worker — charging it to the worker is a breach of the sponsorship obligations under s 140E.