The Truth About ‘Fully Sponsored’ Farm Jobs in Australia for Nigerians: PALM Scheme vs. The 482 Visa Path
You’ve seen the videos. You’ve read the promises. An opportunity to move to Australia for a “fully sponsored” farm job, earning $3,600 a month or more, with your flight and visa paid for. For many Nigerians, this sounds like a golden ticket, a life-changing opportunity to work hard and build a new future.
The question everyone is asking is: “Is this real?”
The answer is yes, these opportunities are absolutely real. But to get one, you must understand the system. Australia’s immigration system is very specific, and these jobs are offered through two completely different government programs:
- The PALM Scheme
- The TSS (Subclass 482) Visa
Many people hear about both and mix them up. They are both real, but only one of them is the correct, legitimate path for Nigerian citizens.
In this guide, we will tell you the 100% honest truth. We will explain both programs, show you which path is the correct one for you, and give you the real, step-by-step guide to apply with confidence. By the time you finish this article, you will be an expert.
Part 1: The PALM Scheme – What Is It, and Who Is It For?
First, let’s talk about the program many people hear about first: the PALM scheme.
“PALM” stands for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility. This is a 100% real, government-approved program. It was designed by the Australian government to help Australian businesses in sectors like agriculture (fruit picking, farm hands) and meat processing find workers when they can’t find enough local Australians for the jobs.
And yes, the benefits are fantastic. Workers in the PALM scheme are often “fully sponsored,” meaning the employer assists with flights, visas, and accommodation.
But here is the most important fact you need to know:
The PALM scheme is a special agreement only between Australia and 9 specific Pacific Island countries (like Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu) plus Timor-Leste.
As of 2024 and 2025, Nigeria is not a participating country in the PALM scheme.
This means you cannot apply for a PALM scheme visa. It doesn’t matter how many forms you fill out or who you talk to; the program is simply not open to Nigerian citizens. Any agent or person telling you they can get you a “PALM visa” is misinformed and cannot help you.
So, does this mean the dream of a sponsored farm job is over?
Absolutely not.
It just means you need to use the correct path. This path is more advanced, more stable, and ultimately a better long-term opportunity. It’s called the TSS (Subclass 482) Visa.
Part 2: The REAL Path for Nigerians: The TSS (Subclass 482) Visa
This is the information you came here for. The real, legitimate path for a Nigerian citizen to get a sponsored job in Australian agriculture is the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa.
This isn’t a “seasonal” visa. It’s a “skilled worker” visa. This is even better for you.
- It allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from any country (including Nigeria) for jobs they can’t fill locally.
- These visas are not for 9 months; they are for 2 to 4 years.
- This is a career visa, not just a job. It is the single most popular path for skilled professionals to move to Australia.
PALM Scheme vs. TSS 482 Visa: The Real Comparison
This simple table explains everything you need to know.
| Feature | PALM Scheme (The “Wrong” Path) | TSS 482 Visa (The “Real” Path) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Countries | 9 Pacific Islands + Timor-Leste | All countries, including Nigeria |
| Skill Level | Low-skill / Unskilled | Skilled / Semi-Skilled |
| Visa Length | 9 months (seasonal) or 1-4 years | 2 to 4 years (long-term contract) |
| Key Requirement | Be a citizen of a member country | Be sponsored by an ‘Approved Employer’ |
| Job Examples | General Fruit Picker, Farm Hand | Senior Farm Hand, Farm Supervisor, Livestock Farmer, Agricultural Technician, Equipment Operator |
| Path to PR? | No | YES. This is a direct pathway to Permanent Residency in Australia. |
As you can see, the 482 visa is a far more powerful, long-term opportunity. It’s a career move that can lead to you and your family settling in Australia permanently.
The only catch is that it requires you to be skilled. You must have provable experience. The single most important thing you need is not a link or an application fee. The only thing that matters is getting a job offer from an “Approved Australian Sponsor.”
Part 3: What Does “Fully Sponsored” ACTUALLY Mean for a 482 Visa?
You’ve seen the term “fully sponsored.” This is the most important part, and it’s what makes this a high-value opportunity.
When a company sponsors you for a 482 visa, they are not just giving you a job. They are making a legal and financial commitment to the Australian government.
This is what “sponsored” really means:
1. The “Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy”
This is the big one. For every single 482 visa worker they hire, the employer must pay a large fee to the government. This fee is called the SAF Levy.
- For a small-medium business, this is $1,200 AUD per year of your visa.
- For a large business, it’s $1,800 AUD per year.
So, for a 4-year visa, the employer is paying $4,800 to $7,200 AUD to the government just for you. This is before they even pay your salary. This is why they are “sponsoring” you—they are investing thousands in you.
2. Other Mandatory Costs for the Employer
The employer also pays for:
- Nomination Fee: A fee to the government to “nominate” you for the position.
- Migration Agent Fees: Most farms use expensive immigration lawyers to handle the complex paperwork, often costing $5,000 – $10,000 AUD.
3. What “Fully Sponsored” Means for YOU
When an ad says “fully sponsored,” it also means the employer is offering to pay for:
- Your Flight Ticket: From Nigeria to Australia.
- Relocation Assistance: Help with your first month’s rent or accommodation.
This is the “bonus” they offer to attract the best workers.
What YOU Will Still Pay For
Be realistic. Even in a “fully sponsored” job, you are always responsible for your own personal documents:
- Your Nigerian Passport: Must be valid.
- Medical Check-up: A required health exam from an approved doctor.
- English Language Test: You must prove you can speak English (e.g., an IELTS test).
- Police Clearance Certificate: To prove you have good character.
Part 4: Your 5-Step Guide: How to Get a 482 Visa Farm Job from Nigeria
This is the actionable, step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility (The “Skilled” Part)
This is the most important step. You cannot get a 482 visa without being “skilled.” You MUST have:
- Provable Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of full-time, relevant work experience. This needs to be more than just casual labour. You need to be a Skilled Farm Worker, a Farm Supervisor, a Livestock Handler, an Agricultural Technician, or an Equipment Operator (e.g., tractors). You must be able to prove this with reference letters.
- English Language Test: You must take an approved test (like IELTS) and get a minimum score (usually 5.0 overall, with no individual score below 4.5 or 5.0).
- Health & Character: You must be ableto pass the medical exam and get a clean police clearance certificate.
Step 2: Find an “Approved Sponsor” (The Hardest Part)
This is the secret to success. You cannot just apply to any job on any website. You MUST find a farm that is a “Standard Business Sponsor” (SBS) approved by the Australian government.
- How to find them: This is the most difficult part. You can search on Australian job sites (like Seek, Jora, and Indeed) using keywords like “482 sponsorship available” or “visa sponsorship agriculture”.
- The Government Register: The government has a public list of all approved sponsors, but it’s hard to search.
- LinkedIn: Many professional recruiters in Australia use LinkedIn to find skilled workers.
Step 3: The Job Offer & Interview
Once an approved sponsor finds your CV, you will have a formal interview (usually over video). If you are successful, they will send you a formal “Contract of Employment.” This document is your golden ticket. It details your salary (which must be above the legal minimum, usually over $70,000 AUD per year), your hours, and your responsibilities.
Step 4: The Employer Lodges the “Nomination”
After you sign the contract, the employer’s migration agent will lodge the “Nomination” with the government. This is where they pay the SAF Levy and all their fees. They are proving to the government that the job is real and you are the person they want.
Step 5: You Lodge Your Visa Application
Once the nomination is approved, you will get an official invitation to lodge your 482 visa application online. You will do this through the official Australian “ImmiAccount” website. This is where you upload your passport, your signed contract, your English test results, your medicals, and your police check.
After a processing period, you will receive your Visa Grant Notice. You can then book your flight (which your employer may pay for) and start your new life.
Part 5: WARNING: 5 Common Visa Scams Targeting Nigerians
Now that you are an expert, you can easily spot a scam. Protect yourself and your family. Never pay anyone who promises these things:
- The “Application Fee” Scam: A person on WhatsApp or Facebook asks for N50,000 or N100,000 to “process your application” or “put your name on the list.”
TRUTH: Legitimate employers and recruiters never charge you a fee to apply for a job. - The “Pay for Your Own Sponsorship” Scam: An “agent” tells you the sponsorship fee (the SAF Levy) is $5,000 and you must pay it to them.
TRUTH: This is 100% illegal. It is Australian law that the employer must pay all sponsorship fees. You are not allowed to pay this. - The “Guaranteed Visa” Scam: Anyone who says, “Pay me, and I guarantee you a visa.”
TRUTH: No one can guarantee a visa. Only the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs can grant a visa. - The “PALM Scheme” Scam: Anyone who tells you they can get a Nigerian citizen a “PALM Scheme” or “Seasonal Worker” visa.
TRUTH: As you now know, Nigerians are not eligible for this program. They are lying. - The “Pay for a Job Offer” Scam: An agent says, “I have a job offer for you, just pay me N200,000 to get the contract.”
TRUTH: Real job offers are based on your skills and experience, not your ability to pay a bribe.
Part 6: How to Apply (The RIGHT Way) – Your Next Steps
You now have the truth. You know the dream of a sponsored farm job in Australia is real. You know the path is not the PALM Scheme, but the powerful, long-term TSS (Subclass 482) Visa.
You also know this path requires you to be skilled, experienced, and serious. The hardest part of this entire journey is finding a real, government-approved “Standard Business Sponsor” who is actively hiring.
This is where we help.
We are a matching service. We do not charge application fees, and we do not make fake promises. We work directly with Australian farms that are approved 482 sponsors and are looking for skilled, experienced workers.
If you are serious, have at least 2 years of provable experience in agriculture or farm management, and are ready to take an English test and start your new life, we want to hear from you.