If you’re eyeing a high-paying job around AUD 75,000+ in Melbourne, Australia — with visa sponsorship included — you’re in an excellent spot.
Here’s a clean, descriptive guide to what that looks like in 2025: how the market is shaping up in the Melbourne / Victoria region, what roles are offering that kind of money and sponsorship, what you’ll need to qualify — and how you can make it happen.
Why Melbourne (and Victoria) with visa sponsorship is a smart move
Melbourne is one of Australia’s strongest job markets — vibrant economy, diverse sectors, plenty of international appeal. For skilled migrants seeking a job that offers salary + employer-sponsored visa, there are indeed real opportunities. For example:
- Job listings in Melbourne show roles with visa sponsorship offering salaries like AUD 75,000–95,000 for registered nurses. (SEEK)
- Broader Australia-wide guides list numerous professions paying AUD 80,000–150,000 with sponsorship potential. (Jobs Abroad 24)
- Roles in Melbourne specifically also list sponsorship explicitly, e.g., chef jobs at AUD 78,000–82,000 + sponsorship. (SEEK)
- Formal visa-sponsorship rules: employer-sponsored visas such as the Subclass 482 (TSS) (Temporary Skill Shortage) or the Subclass 186 (ENS) (Employer Nomination Scheme) allow employers to sponsor foreign workers. (CITRUS AUSTRALIA)
What this means: If you have the right skills, experience, and match a “sponsored” role, Melbourne can be a gateway. The salary benchmark of AUD 75,000 is realistic in this context.
What kinds of roles offer ~AUD 75,000 or more + sponsorship
Here’s a breakdown of job types you should keep your eyes on — especially those where sponsorship is feasible and pay meets or exceeds AUD 75,000.
1. Healthcare & Nursing
- Registered Nurses, especially in specialties (mental health, ICU) are getting job offers in Melbourne with sponsorship. Example: “Registered Nurse – Mental Health” in Melbourne paying AUD 75,000–95,000 with sponsorship.
- General Australia-wide numbers: nursing roles with sponsorship show salary ranges ~AUD 75,000–110,000.
2. Information Technology / Tech & Data
- Roles such as software developer, data scientist, cybersecurity specialist are highly paid and many are eligible for sponsorship. For Australia: salary ranges AUD 90,000–150,000.
- Melbourne being a major city, the tech scene is strong — good potential if you have the skills.
3. Engineering & Trades
- Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers: salary AUD 85,000–130,000+.
- Skilled trades (especially if remote or FIFO) can also pay up, and sponsorship is possible. For example, trade qualified fitter-welders in Victoria with sponsorship potential pay between AUD 70,000–100,000+. (kempe.com.au)
4. Hospitality & Specialized Roles
- High end hospitality roles (head chef, sous chef) in Melbourne are offering AUD 85,000–95,000 + sponsorship. Example listing: head chef in Camberwell paying AUD 85,000–95,000 + sponsorship.
- While hospitality is more competitive for sponsorship, in Melbourne it is happening.
What you’ll need to qualify
Securing a job with visa sponsorship isn’t just about seeing the ad — these are the key factors:
- Skill match & experience: Employers will want evidence you can perform the role. For skilled roles, qualification, certifications, and proven experience matter.
- Visa eligibility: For employer-sponsored visas, you’ll need the relevant visa subclass (like Subclass 482/186). The employer must be approved as a sponsor. (CITRUS AUSTRALIA)
- Salary thresholds: In many cases, roles offering sponsorship have to meet certain salary levels (to show they are genuine, high value roles). The Australian government notes that high-paying jobs are indicators of valuable skills. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
- Occupation demand: Jobs on the Skilled Occupation Lists (MLTSSL/STSOL) have a higher chance of sponsorship. Check if your role is listed.
- Employer willingness: Not all employers will sponsor. Reddit posts mention this hurdle. > “Sponsoring someone is an expensive pain in the arse for employers so they generally won’t do it unless … they are absolutely desperate.” (Reddit)
- Being proactive: Tailor your CV, emphasise your international/unique skillset, show you’re ready to relocate, and look for roles where sponsorship is explicitly mentioned.
How to Go About Applying (Step-By-Step)
Here’s a practical workflow to maximise your chances:
- Define your target role
- Pick one of the categories above (e.g., registered nurse, software engineer, head chef) where you meet the skill/experience match.
- Check if your occupation is on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
- Search for jobs in Melbourne that mention sponsorship
- Use job boards: SEEK, Indeed, LinkedIn.
- Filter for “visa sponsorship”, “sponsorship available”, “employer will consider visa”. For Melbourne: found many listings in this category.
- Prepare your application
- Tailor your CV to the Australian style: emphasise achievements, quantifiable impact.
- Write a cover letter that mentions your interest in relocation and willingness to work in the role, your skills, and also gently mention you are open to employer-sponsorship (if the ad mentions it).
- Gather credentials: certificates, licenses, English language proficiency (if required), references.
- Apply and follow up
- Submit through the employer’s system or job board.
- After applying, if possible connect with the recruitment team on LinkedIn, mention your interest and visa sponsorship readiness.
- Interview and discuss visa sponsorship
- If you’re shortlisted, be ready to talk about your visa status and willingness to relocate.
- Confirm if the employer is willing to sponsor and what the visa process will look like (who pays costs, timeframe, relocation support).
- Ask about salary, benefits, relocation assistance.
- Once you receive an offer
- Ensure the employment contract clearly states position, salary, sponsorship commitment.
- Work with the employer to lodge the relevant sponsorship/nomination and your visa application. Reference: employer-sponsored visa requirements.
- Plan relocation: housing in Melbourne, license/registrations if needed, cost of living.
- Relocate and start work
- Move to Melbourne, start the role, abide by visa conditions, build up experience.
- Consider planning for long-term: many employer-sponsored visas lead to permanent residency eventually.
Things to watch out for & insider tips
- Cost of sponsorship: Employers incur costs and process burdens when sponsoring a worker. That’s one reason they might be selective.
- Salary expectations vs reality: AUD 75,000+ is realistic, but for some roles you may need higher skills to hit the top end (AUD 90k-150k).
- Competition: Many migrants aim for the same jobs, so being distinguished (extra certifications, niche skills, willingness to relocate) helps.
- Relocation/settling in Melbourne: Cost of living is high — housing, transport, etc. Ensure you budget accordingly.
- Legal & legitimate offers: Some postings may advertise “visa sponsorship” but have hidden conditions. Always verify the employer is a registered sponsor. Also avoid paying “fees” for sponsorship yourself (that can be illegal or a scam). > “My employer is making me pay off my sponsorship visa … seems illegal”
- Keep up to date: Visa rules and occupation lists change. Always check current info on government sites.
- Target regional roles if needed: Some regional or less-popular locations may have more sponsorship options and less competition, although you asked for Melbourne specifically.
- Language, certifications & registration: For some roles (healthcare, engineering) you’ll need Australian registration/licensing (e.g., nursing board, engineering charter).
- Be clear about visa type: Employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482, 186) are different to student/holiday visas and have different conditions (duration, pathway to PR).
- Networking helps: Joining industry groups, Melbourne-based professional networks, LinkedIn recruiters can open doors.
Final thoughts
If you’re aiming for a job in Melbourne that offers ~AUD 75,000+ salary and visa sponsorship, you absolutely have reason to be optimistic. With your skillset aligned to one of the in-demand sectors (healthcare, tech, engineering, hospitality leadership), a proactive strategy, and realistic expectations, you can position yourself strongly.
Key takeaways:
- Check roles that explicitly mention sponsorship — this reduces wasted time.
- Ensure you’re qualified for the role and meet any registration/licensing needed.
- Prepare your applications, highlight relocation readiness, and reference your interest in Melbourne.
- Confirm visa details with the employer: what visa subclass, who bears cost, what timeline.
- Remember: Melbourne is a great city with many opportunities — it’s about matching right role + employer willing to sponsor + you being ready.