482 Visa – Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS)

The Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482) visa is the fundamental visa used for sponsoring foreign workers in Australia.

The TSS visa has two streams:

1) Short Term Stream

A short term TSS visa will allow applicants to stay and work in Australia for 2 years, with the option of renewal once for the same period.

This stream is designed for short term stay and will require you to demonstrate that you are a genuine temporary entrant (eg via showcasing strong ties to your country of origin).

Applicants will require a position on the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

2) Medium Term Stream

A medium term TSS visa will allow you stay and work in Australia for 4 years. From there, you can either renew your visa, or apply for permanent residency. This stream is designed for longer term stay and will allow you to apply for a transitional 186 visa (permanent residency).

Occupation Lists

Applicants for the TSS will need to be nominated for a position that is on either the STSOL or MLTSSL occupation list. Both lists continue to be reviewed every 6 months by the Department of Employment.

TSS – A Three Part Application

The TSS is made up of the following 3 components:

Standard Business Sponsorship

The business must be a recognised sponsor. This is not an application applied for per applicant. All sponsored visas will reference the single approved Sponsorship application. This application requires the business to demonstrate that it is a lawful, operating business, and has the financial viability to meet its obligations as a sponsor (including salaries etc).

Nomination

The employer will nominate the occupation from the relevant skilled occupation list they would like a foreign worker to be employed as.

They will need to demonstrate the applicant will be paid a salary of at least the TSMIT (currently $53,900); and that the terms of employment are equivilant to an Australian in the same position, including the salary as being on par with the market rate.

The TSS visa has added new considerations for employers around labour market testing, including non-discriminatory workforce test requirements, Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold requirements and other safeguards to the local labour market.

TSS Criteria – Primary Application

Applicants will need to meet the following:

• Hold a position on the relevant skilled occupations list.
• Meet the skills, qualifications, and English language requirements of that position.
• Have at least two years of relevant work experience.
• Be under 45 years of age if staying permanently.
• Demonstrate at least functional English (a score of 5 in each band in IELTS).
• Provide penal clearance certificate or overseas police check.

If you are looking to work in Australia — whether you have secured employment or are in the process of doing so — our migration experts in Sydney can help. From planning and selecting an appropriate occupation for nomination, to reviewing documents and lodgement of the visa, we ensure the process remains simple and easy for both you and your sponsoring employer.