When preparing employer-sponsored or business-related visa applications for Australia, supporting documents play a critical role. Two commonly required reports are the Business Plan and the Genuine Position Report (GPR). While both documents are closely related, they serve very different purposes and address different Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requirements.
Understanding the difference between these two reports is essential to avoid confusion, inconsistencies, or potential visa refusal.
What Is a Business Plan?
A Business Plan provides a complete overview of the business itself. It focuses on the overall operations, structure, financial position, and future growth of the company.
For migration purposes, a Business Plan demonstrates that the business is:
Lawfully established and actively operating
Financially viable and sustainable
Capable of meeting sponsorship and employment obligations
Aligned with Australian business and workplace laws
Key Focus of a Business Plan
Business background and ownership structure
Products or services offered
Market and industry analysis
Organisational structure and staffing
Financial performance and future projections
Business growth strategy
The Business Plan helps DHA assess whether the sponsoring business is genuine and financially capable.
What Is a Genuine Position Report (GPR)?
A Genuine Position Report focuses specifically on the nominated role, not the entire business. Its purpose is to demonstrate that the position offered to the nominee is real, necessary, and consistent with the nature and scale of the business.
The GPR explains:
Why the nominated position exists
Why the role is required within the business
How the role fits into daily operations
How the duties align with the nominated occupation
That the position is not created solely for migration purposes
Key Focus of a Genuine Position Report
Detailed position description
Daily duties and responsibilities
Reporting lines and supervision
Relevance of the role to business operations
Business need for the position
Alignment with ANZSCO occupation
The GPR allows DHA to assess whether the nominated position is genuine.
Key Differences Between a Business Plan and a Genuine Position Report
| Business Plan | Genuine Position Report |
|---|---|
| Focuses on the overall business | Focuses on the nominated position |
| Demonstrates business viability | Demonstrates position genuineness |
| Covers financials and growth | Covers duties and role necessity |
| Supports business credibility | Supports nomination credibility |
| Business-wide analysis | Role-specific analysis |
Both reports address different aspects of the application and cannot replace each other.
Why Both Reports Are Often Required
In employer-sponsored visa applications such as Subclass 482 and Subclass 186, DHA may require both documents to fully assess:
The legitimacy of the business
The genuine need for the nominated role
Financial capacity to employ the nominee
Consistency between business activities and job duties
If the Business Plan shows growth but the GPR fails to justify the role, or vice versa, DHA may raise concerns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting a generic Business Plan not tailored to the business
Copying job descriptions into the Business Plan
Inconsistencies between the Business Plan and GPR
Poorly defined duties that do not match ANZSCO
Lack of financial or operational justification
Professional report writing helps avoid these issues.
How Professional Report Writing Helps
Expertly prepared Business Plans and Genuine Position Reports are:
Tailored to the specific business and role
Consistent across all supporting documents
Aligned with current DHA expectations
Clear, evidence-based, and compliance-focused
This significantly improves the strength of decision-ready applications.
Get Expert Assistance
At McKkr’s, we prepare professionally written Business Plans and Genuine Position Reports designed specifically for Australian visa and nomination applications. Our reports are accurate, detailed, and aligned with DHA requirements.
If you need assistance with a Business Plan or Genuine Position Report for your client, contact us today and let our experts support your application.