In the fast-paced world of Australian IT and tech, keeping great talent is just as important as finding it. But what happens when a high-performing international employee’s visa is set to expire, or they’re not on a pathway to permanent residency? Sue Templeton, National Operations Manager at Leaders IT, says employers regularly face this very scenario: “The most common situation is when a client has an individual already working for them that they want to keep long-term, but their visa status simply won’t allow it.”

Sue explains that many consultants are on temporary visas, such as the 482 Skills in Demand visa, which has a strict expiry. “Too often, companies risk losing exceptional international staff simply because their visa situation changes or permanent residency pathways are unclear,” she says. The result? Loss of valuable knowledge, high costs for recruitment and retraining, and disruption to ongoing projects.

That’s where Leaders IT’s sponsorship program comes in. “We don’t just help you bring in new talent; we specialise in helping you keep the high-performing international employees you already have.” Sue’s team takes care of the entire sponsorship process, from initial assessment through to ongoing compliance. “We handle the paperwork, red tape, and risks, so our clients don’t have to worry.”

The benefits are clear:

• Save time and money: “Avoid the costs of recruitment and onboarding a replacement by retaining your proven, high-performing team member.”
• Business continuity: “Keep critical projects on track and maintain expertise in your organisation.”
• Employee engagement: “Show your consultants you’re invested in their future, boosting morale and loyalty.”

Sue highlights that every client and consultant is assigned a dedicated point of contact. “We make the process simple, transparent, and stress-free. We work with reputable immigration lawyers and do thorough assessments before we begin, so there are no nasty surprises along the way.”

For consultants, sponsorship is a career game-changer. “It’s not just a visa; it’s a pathway to permanent residency and long-term stability in Australia. Once PR is secured, consultants can keep contributing to your business, or explore new opportunities with our sister company, Peoplebank, knowing they’re supported every step of the way.”

Ongoing support is key. “Once we’ve lodged the PR application, it’s important that we continue to provide ongoing work for them until that application is approved. We do everything we can to be supportive and make sure it all goes through. We’ve never had one fail.”

Sue’s track record speaks for itself: “We have managed every single permanent resident deal to conclusion, thanks to thorough upfront assessment and ongoing care.”

She sums up that by sponsoring and supporting your existing international staff, you ensure your team’s continuity, innovation, and resilience, without the cost and hassle of starting from scratch.

Leaders IT’s end-to-end sponsorship management delivers retention, compliance, and peace of mind, so you can focus on your business priorities, not paperwork. Ready to retain your top international employees?

Contact Leaders IT to find out how our proven and supportive sponsorship solutions can help you keep the talent you trust.