What is Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, referred to as the TSS visa (482 Visa), enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian. It facilitates targeted use of overseas workers to address temporary skill shortages while ensuring that Australian workers get priority. If you have the skills to fill a job position with an Australian employer who is looking to recruit you then you may be eligible for the TSS visa. TSS visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor under one of three streams: Short Term, Medium Term and Labour Agreement Stream

Under the Short-Term Stream, the TSS visa will be approved for two (2) years. It will be approved for a maximum of up to four (4) years in the Medium-Term Stream and Labour Agreement Stream. Please note that according to 482 visa Australia requirements, there is no age restriction/limit for this visa. So anyone with higher skills can apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa in Australia

TSS 482 visa involves a three-step process:

Step 1: a sponsorship application by the employer (the employer needs to be a lawfull, active, operating business and meet local labour and employment practices).

Step 2: The second part of the application process is the nomination application. This is regarding the position to be filled, salary details, efforts to hire Australian workers and the ‘genuineness’ of the position. The business must also be viable to sponsor from overseas.

Step 3: a visa application by the nominated employee. The visa applicant must demonstrate that they meet the skills required for their occupation as well as health and character requirements.

Eligibility requirements:-

Short-Term

• be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible
• short-term skilled occupations
• have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation
• work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless you are exempt
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency (with Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components unless you are exempt

Medium-Term

• be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible medium and long-term skilled occupations
• have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation
• work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless you are exempt
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency (Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components) unless you are exempt

Labour Agreement

• be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a Labour Agreement
• have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation
• work only for your sponsor
• You must have English language skills suitable to perform your nominated occupation. The labor agreement between your employer and the Commonwealth may include specific standards regarding English proficiency.

Embassy Fee: 

• Short-term stream of 482 Visa costs from AUD1,495
• Medium-term stream costs from AUD 3,115
• Labour agreement stream costs from AUD 3,115

Health insurance

You will need to provide evidence of adequate health insurance for you and any secondary applicants for the duration of your stay in Australia.

Health & Character Requirements

You along with your family members included in your application must fulfil the requirement of heath by providing the valid medical certificates obtain within 12 months of application lodgement.

Satisfy the character requirement by submitting the police clearance certificate

Inclusion of Family Members

Spouses/Partners and children can be included in a TSS visa application as dependent family members. These family members have unrestricted work and study rights or transition to permanent residency.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa – Subclass 186

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an approved Australian employer. It allows qualified professionals to live, work, and settle in Australia permanently.
This visa is ideal for employers who wish to retain talented overseas staff by sponsoring them for permanent residence.

Key Highlights

• Stay, work, and study in Australia permanently.
• Include your eligible family members in your visa application.
• Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
• Travel in and out of Australia freely for five years.
• Become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once the residency requirements are met.

Types of Subclass 186 Visa Streams

1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

This pathway is for applicants already working in Australia under a qualifying temporary visa (like Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) who have been employed by the same company in the same role for at least three years.

Eligibility for TRT Stream:

• Hold a valid Subclass 482 or 457 visa.
• Have worked full-time with the same employer for at least three years.
• The employer must offer a permanent role in the same occupation.

2. Direct Entry (DE) Stream

This stream suits skilled professionals applying from outside Australia or those who have not worked in Australia for long. It allows direct nomination by an Australian employer.

Eligibility for DE Stream:

• Valid nomination from an approved employer.
• Minimum three years of relevant work experience.
• A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body.
• Competent English (for example, IELTS score of at least 6 in each band).

3. Labour Agreement Stream

This option is available for workers nominated by an employer operating under a Labour Agreement approved by the Australian Government.

Eligibility for Labour Agreement Stream:

• Must be nominated by an employer with a valid labour agreement.
• Must meet the age, skills, and English conditions outlined in the agreement.

Eligibility Requirements

For Employers

• Must be actively and legally operating in Australia.
• Must show a genuine need for the nominated position.
• The position should be full-time and available for at least two years.
• Salary and working conditions must meet Australian market standards.
• Must comply with all workplace and immigration laws.

For Applicants

• Must be nominated by an approved employer for an eligible occupation.
• The nominated occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• Must be under 45 years of age (unless exempt).
• Must hold a positive skills assessment (if applicable).
• Must meet the required English language, health, and character standards.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Employer Nomination:
Your employer submits a nomination application to the Department of Home Affairs for your position.

2. Visa Application:
Once the nomination is lodged or approved, you can apply for the Subclass 186 Visa.

3. Visa Decision:
After assessment, if both the nomination and visa are approved, you and your eligible dependents receive Australian permanent residency.

Benefits of Subclass 186 Visa

• Become a permanent resident of Australia.
• Enjoy unrestricted work and study rights across the country.
• Access Medicare and other social benefits.
• Sponsor your eligible relatives for permanent residence.
• Build a pathway toward Australian citizenship.

Important Information

• The nominated occupation must be on the approved skilled occupation list.
• Skills assessment and English test results must be valid at the time of application.
• For the TRT stream, you must have worked continuously for 3 years in the same role and with the same employer.
• All applicants must pass health and character checks.
• Some exemptions may apply for age, English language, or skills requirements based on occupation or salary.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 494

The Subclass 494 Visa is designed to address skill shortages in regional Australia by allowing skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas for up to five years.

This visa enables approved regional employers to sponsor highly qualified overseas professionals for occupations where no suitable Australian workers are available.

Key Features

• Live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia for up to five years.
• Bring eligible family members with you.
• Travel to and from Australia multiple times while the visa remains valid.
• Apply for permanent residency after completing three years of regional work through the Subclass 191 Visa.
• Gain access to regional work opportunities in areas facing genuine skill shortages.

Available Streams

1. Employer Sponsored Stream

This stream is for skilled professionals nominated by an approved employer in a regional area.

Requirements:

• The occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• The applicant must have at least three years of full-time experience in the nominated occupation.
• A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required.
• The employer must offer a genuine, full-time position in a designated regional area.

2. Labour Agreement Stream

This stream applies if the employer has a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.

Requirements:

• The nomination and occupation must be covered by the terms of the labour agreement.
• The applicant must meet specific age, English, and skill criteria mentioned in the agreement.

3. Subsequent Entrant Stream

For family members of existing Subclass 494 visa holders who wish to join them in regional Australia.

Eligibility Criteria

For Employers

• Must be actively and lawfully operating in a designated regional area.
• Must demonstrate a genuine need for the nominated position.
• Must provide employment that meets the market salary rate and Australian workplace laws.
• Must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor or hold an active labour agreement.

For Applicants

• Must be nominated by an eligible employer in a regional area.
• Must be under 45 years of age (unless exempt).
• Must have a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant work experience.
• Must meet English language, health, and character requirements.
• Must agree to live and work only in regional Australia.

Visa Duration and Pathway to Permanent Residency

The Subclass 494 Visa is a provisional visa valid for up to five years.
After living and working in a designated regional area for three years and meeting income and compliance conditions, visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa.

Application Process

1. Sponsorship: Employer applies to become an approved sponsor (if not already).
2.  Nomination: The employer nominates the applicant for a specific regional occupation.
3. Visa Application: The applicant lodges the visa application after receiving the nomination.
4. Decision: Once approved, the visa holder can live and work in the regional area for up to five years.

Benefits of Subclass 494 Visa

• Long-term stay in Australia’s regional areas.
• Option to include spouse and dependent children.
• Pathway to permanent residency after three years.
• Gain valuable regional work experience recognised by Australian employers.
• Employers can fill essential skill gaps in regional industries.

Important Conditions

• You must live, work, and study only in designated regional areas.
• You can work only for your nominating employer in the approved occupation.
• You may apply for a new 494 visa if you change employers (with approval).
• You must meet income and residence conditions before applying for permanent residency under Subclass 191.

Training Visa – Subclass 407

The Subclass 407 Training Visa is a temporary visa for skilled individuals who want to come to Australia to undertake occupational training or professional development in their field of expertise. This visa is designed to help workers, graduates or trainees enhance their capabilities through a structured program managed by an approved Australian organisation.

Key Features

• Allows you to stay in Australia for up to two years, depending on the training program.
• Enables structured workplace-based training or professional development programs that relate to your current occupation, area of study or expertise.
• Eligible family members (partner and dependent children) may be included in your application.
• Travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa is valid.
• Gain valuable international exposure and strengthen your career prospects.

Training Streams

The Training Visa covers three main types of training:

1. Training required for registration or licensing — for applicants who need workplace-based training in order to obtain registration or licensing in their occupation in Australia or their home country.
2. Training to improve skills in an eligible occupation — for skilled workers nominated to participate in a structured workplace program relevant to their occupation.
3. Training for capacity building overseas — for professional development or training programs supported by an Australian or foreign government, or for overseas employers who send employees to Australia for training.

Eligibility Criteria

For Applicants

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be nominated by an approved Australian sponsor or be invited if the sponsor is a Commonwealth government agency.
• Have functional English skills sufficient to participate in the training and meet occupational health & safety standards.
• Demonstrate relevant skills, study or work experience in your occupation or training field.
• Hold valid health insurance for your stay in Australia.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have a genuine intention to stay temporarily for the purpose of training.