TEMPORARY SKILL SHORTAGE VISA (Subclass 482) OVERVIEW
The TSS Visa (Temporary Skill Shortage) Subclass 482 has replaced the Subclass 457 Visa. The TSS visa program assists Australian businesses who experience genuine skill shortages and cannot find Australian workers to fill vacant positions.
THE SUBCLASS 482 VISA (TSS) HAS 3 DIFFERENT STREAMS
Short-Term Stream – up to two years
Medium-Term Stream – up to four years
Labour Agreement Stream
TSS VISA HOLDERS CAN:
live and work in Australia for up to four years
study in Australia
include immediate family on their 482 visa
transition to permanent residency (if eligible)
482 VISA GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
You might be eligible to apply for the TSS Visa if you have an Australian employer who is willing to sponsor you and meet the following requirements:
OCCUPATION
TSS Visa applicants must be qualified or have sufficient experience in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list. There are three lists relevant to the 482 Visa:
Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Regional Occupation List (ROL)
SPONSOR
You must be nominated by a Standard Business Sponsor or a business that has applied for a Standard Business Sponsorship. Your employer must also lodge a nomination application.
EXPERIENCE
Applicants must have at least 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation or another relevant role, gained within the previous 5 years before applying. Part-time work may be considered. Casual work will not be considered.
SKILL ASSESSMENT
Some primary TSS visa applicants must undergo a mandatory skills assessment to be eligible to apply for this visa.
AGE
There is no age limit for the TSS (Subclass 482) Visa.
HEALTH INSURANCE
482 Temporary Visa holders must maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia. Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia.
SHORT-TERM STREAM
The short-term TSS (Subclass 482) Visa stream allows applicants to stay for up to 2 years or up to 4 if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.
GENERAL
Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in the relevant field
Occupation must be listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
Applicants must meet genuine temporary entrant requirement
This visa does not provide a transitional pathway to Permanent Residency
Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer
ENGLISH
The primary applicant for the TSS Visa must meet the minimum English requirement. You will need to take an English test unless one of the following applies:
you are a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, UK, USA or NZ
you have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in at least a secondary level institution and where the medium of instruction was English
TEST
Required results
IELTS
Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components.
OET
Score of at least 'B' in each of the four components.
TOEFL iBT
iBT total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 3 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 12 for each of the test components of speaking and writing.
PTE Academic
Academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 30 in each of the test components.
Cambridge
Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 147 in each of the test components.
STAY PERIOD
2 years in most cases
4 years if an ITO applies
5 years if you are a Hong Kong passport holder
EXTENDING YOUR STAY
If your Short-term 482 (TSS) visa is expiring soon, you may be eligible to renew your visa for another 2 years. If you are already on your second 482, you cannot renew. If your occupation is on the STSOL, you may find a pathway to permanent residency through:
190 visa (State Nominated)
491 visa (Regional Sponsored)
494 visa (Employer-Sponsored Regional)
MEDIUM-TERM STREAM
The medium-term TSS (Subclass 482) Visa stream allows applicants to stay for up to 4 years, with the option to apply for another TSS Visa or Permanent Residency.
GENERAL
Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years work experience in the relevant field
Occupation must be on Medium Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Applicants don’t need to meet genuine temporary entrant requirement
Applicants have a transitional pathway to Permanent Residency after 3 years
Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer
ENGLISH
TEST
Required results
IELTS
Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components.
OET
Score of at least 'B' in each of the four components.
TOEFL iBT
iBT total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 3 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 12 for each of the test components of speaking and writing.
PTE Academic
Academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 30 in each of the test components.
Cambridge
Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 147 in each of the test components.
STAY PERIOD
Medium-term TSS Visa holder can stay in Australia for up to 4 years.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY
You may also be eligible to apply for one of the below permanent visas if your occupation is on the MLTSSL:
189 visa
190 visa
187 visa (RSMS visa)
186 visa (ENS visa)
TSS Visa holders under the medium-term stream may also be eligible to apply for a 186 Visa or 187 Visa through the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.
LABOUR AGREEMENT STREAM
The Labour Agreement TSS Visa stream allows applicants to stay for up to 4 years, which may have the option to apply for another TSS Visa or Permanent Residency. This stream may be used in exceptional circumstances where a business can demonstrate a need that cannot be met by Australian workers and standard visa programs are not available. Agreements may specify:
Specified age
Specified Occupation
Skill level
English language
Salary
GENERAL
Applicants may have a transitional pathway to Permanent Residency, depending on their employer’s labour agreement terms
Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer
ENGLISH
Applicants must meet the English level specified in their employer’s labour agreement.
STAY PERIOD
Labour Agreement TSS Visa holders can stay in Australia for up to 4 years.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY
your employer will need to submit a new nomination
you can apply for a new 482 TSS visa
you may also be eligible to apply for the 186 or 187 visa, depending on the terms of your employer’s Labour Agreement
YOU CAN INCLUDE YOUR FAMILY IN YOUR APPLICATION
Subclass 482 (TSS) Visa applicants can add family members to their application before lodgement or after approval. To be eligible to include family members:
your employer agrees to extend sponsorship
your family members meet the eligibility criteria
TSS visa holders and applicants may be able to include the below family members as secondary applicants:
Dependent children / step-children
Partner’s dependent child or children
Partner
Family members must meet the health and character requirements. Secondary applicants can live, work and study while residing in Australia. Family members can be included at the time of 482 visa application or after the visa has been approved.
EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISA 482
Employers must become a Standard Business Sponsor or have a labour agreement with the department, in order to sponsor overseas workers on a 482.
OPERATIONS
To become an approved sponsor, the business must be legally established in Australia and currently operating.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Employers must also pass a non-discriminatory workforce test, to ensure they aren’t discriminating against Australian workers at the nomination stage.
TSS NOMINATION
An approved Business Sponsor can nominate a position within their business to be filled by an overseas skilled worker.
EMPLOYEE SALARY
TSS Visa holders must earn a minimum annual salary equal to or above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) — currently $53,900 plus Superannuation.
LABOUR MARKET TESTING (LMT)
The business must demonstrate that they have tested the labour market by advertising locally for the nominated position.
TRAINING LEVY (SAF)
Small Businesses (Turnover < $10M): $1,200 per year per nominated TSS Visa holder. Other Businesses ($10M+): $1,800 per year. Under no circumstances can the sponsored employee pay for the SAF levy.
What is a 482 visa?
The 482 visa is a temporary skill shortage visa, allowing a skilled worker to temporarily live and work in Australia if nominated by an approved employer who hasn’t been able to find an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
Can I change employer on a 482 visa?
Yes, as long as the new employer is willing to sponsor you and lodge a new nomination. You cannot start working for the new employer until the change is approved, and you must continue working for your previous employer or limit any gap to less than 60 consecutive days.
Can I get Medicare on a 482 visa?
Generally no — you are responsible for your own health costs and must have adequate health insurance. Some reciprocal countries (NZ, UK, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Slovenia, Norway) can apply for an exemption.
How to renew a 482 visa?
You cannot renew the 482 visa, but you can apply for a new one. Your employer must make a new nomination.
Can I apply for PR with a 482 visa?
Not all 482 visa holders are eligible. Depends on occupation, age, English proficiency and more.
Can I study on a 482 visa?
Yes.
Can my spouse work on a 482 visa?
Yes, the spouse or partner is allowed to work and study in Australia.
Do I need a skills assessment for a 482 visa?
Depends on your occupation. Consult ASM to find out.
How long does a 482 visa take to process?
Between one month and over a year.
How long is a 482 visa valid for?
Short-term: 2 years. Medium-term: 4 years. Labour agreement: 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders: up to 5 years.
How much does a 482 visa cost?
Short-term from AUD 1,290. Medium-term and labour agreement from AUD 2,690.
