The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is paid by employers who sponsor skilled workers from overseas.
The levy helps ensure businesses hiring skilled migrants also contribute to skills development for Australians. The SAF levy is collected by the Department of Home Affairs.
From 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2022, the levy supported the National Partnership on the Skilling Australians Fund – an agreement between the Australian Government and six State and Territory governments to deliver skills, training and apprenticeships projects.
Since the cessation of the national partnership, the Australian Government has partnered with states and territories to deliver Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training (VET) places across Australia and in January 2024 the National Skills Agreement (NSA) commenced.