Visa sponsorship and employer of record: Navigating change in Australia and New Zealand

The Australian and New Zealand talent markets have long attracted international companies, but recent shifts in migration policy have made expansion here more complex. Australia PEO explains.

Reviews of skilled migration programs, updates to occupation lists, and tightening compliance requirements are creating uncertainty for businesses - and for the recruiters who support them.

At APEO, we see these developments as a chance to provide clarity and confidence. Founded in 2018, we are the only Employer of Record (EOR) provider based in Australia and New Zealand that also holds a governmentapproved On-Hire Labour Agreement.

This allows us to sponsor visas on behalf of our clients while managing the compliance framework of payroll, HR, and employment law.

For companies entering new markets, timing is critical. Roles in technology, engineering, and professional services often need to be filled quickly, yet migration processes can be complex and time-consuming.

Our model bridges this gap by combining EOR support with visa sponsorship, ensuring organisations can hire efficiently and recruiters can deliver solutions without delay.

Over the past year, we have worked with clients who needed urgent hires, all while maintaining a 100% visa approval rate. This outcome shows that compliance and speed do not need to be in conflict. By staying ahead of legislative updates, we make it possible for businesses to move quickly while remaining fully compliant.

For recruiters, this creates an opportunity to reassure clients who are uncertain about visa processes. With the right partner, questions about sponsorship and compliance can shift from obstacles into solutions.

As migration frameworks continue to evolve, our commitment is to remain a responsive and reliable partner.

By aligning recruitment strategies with compliant sponsorship pathways, we help ensure that companies can secure the talent they need and recruiters can keep meeting client expectations in a competitive market.