1. Sponsorship – when an employer applies for approval by the Immigration Department as a standard business sponsor.
![The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Sydney on Monday, May 28, 2012. (AAP Image/April Fonti) NO ARCHIVING](https://images.sbs.com.au/drupal/yourlanguage/public/department_of_immigration-2_1.jpg?imwidth=1280)
The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Sydney on Monday, May 28, 2012. (AAP Image/April Fonti) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP
2. Nomination - when an approved sponsor identifies a position to be filled.The position must relate to an eligible occupation on the Consolidated Skilled Occupations List.
![ENGINEERS](https://images.sbs.com.au/drupal/yourlanguage/public/engineers_aap_2.jpg?imwidth=1280)
Source: AAP
3. Visa Application - when the overseas skilled worker applies for the visa. A 457 visa cannot get processed without an approved sponsor and nomination.
![subclass 457 visa](https://images.sbs.com.au/drupal/yourlanguage/public/podcast_images/457_info_document_2_sbs_radio.jpg?imwidth=1280)
Source: SBS Radio