Australian businesses can use the Community Support Program (CSP) to offer employment to someone in need and help them settle in Australia. By doing so, your business becomes an 'Australian supporter'.
To be eligible, you must have:
- an Australian Business Number
- a genuine position available within your business.
Businesses can:
- suggest an
eligible CSP applicant and make them a job offer
- seek
assistance to be matched with an eligible applicant
- employ one or more CSP visa holders once they arrive in Australia.
You must be able to offer meaningful, stable work and follow Australian workplace laws.
There are no minimum requirements for employment, but the job you offer needs to provide enough income to give the CSP entrant financial self-sufficiency.
Wages must be in line with the standards for your specific workplace.
Assistance
To manage applications and help settle people in need we have appointed
Approved Proposing Organisations (APOs).
If you would like to support someone in humanitarian need, you need to approach an APO.
They can help you if you:
- already know someone you want to employ
- want to be matched with someone who has the skills and experience needed for the job.
APOs will:
- manage the visa application process
- provide CSP entrants with additional support and advice throughout resettlement.
Your obligations
As an employer of a CSP entrant, you must make sure you meet all obligations under Australian workplace laws. You will also need to stay in contact with the APO about how the entrant is going at work during their first year in Australia.
You will also need to meet:
- any financial commitments, if you agree to give them financial support
- assurer obligations, if you are also providing the person in need with an Assurance of Support (AoS).
Work start dates
Once the person in need has an approved visa, they have the right to work in Australia straight away. However, it will take time to organise their travel to Australia. They will also need support once they arrive to settle in before they start their new job.
Each person will have different circumstances. Your APO can advise how quickly you should expect them to start work after they arrive in Australia.
