Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
The TSS visa, or 482 visa, is a temporary visa that permits the holder to live in Australia while working full-time for the sponsoring employer, in a nominated occupation that is listed on the Short Skilled List or Medium Long Term Skilled List.
Note: you cannot apply for this visa if you do not have an employer willing to sponsor and employ you in a full-time position. We cannot assist you in finding an employer as we are not a recruitment consultancy.
482 Visa Requirements
You are required to:
1. Have a job offer
2. At least two years of experience in the position
3. Genuine intention to work in the nominated position
4. Qualifications that are relevant to the position
5. Adequate arrangements for health insurance
6. Meet health, character and English requirements
TSS nomination (position) requirements:
1. A genuine, full-time position
2. Work in the sponsor’s business unless an associated entity
A salary in line with market rates, not below $73,150
Subject to Labour Market Testing, unless exemptions apply
On the relevant occupation lists
Sandra Nolan
Sandra Nolan
My experience with Migration Downunder has been excellent. Everything was so straightforward and simple with both applications I’ve processed through the agency. If I ever had a question or a problem, Alice and the team were able to deal with it so efficiently. I was always well informed about what part of the process we were at and the stress associated with visa application was dissipated completely. I would recommend Migration Downunder to anyone who is applying for sponsorship, PR or merely looking at their options for extending their stay in Australia.
Age Restriction for a TSS 482 visa
There is no age limit for a TSS visa; however, there is for Permanent Residency. If you are granted a TSS visa and intend to apply for permanent residency after two years of working for the same sponsor, you will need to be under 45 at the time of lodging your permanent residency application; unless you meet the exemptions.
482 visa streams
There are three streams applicable to the TSS 482:
The Short-Term Stream
Applicants with occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) may be eligible for visas of up to two years, renewable onshore, for a further two years. You must continue to meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirements;
The Medium & Long-Term Stream and Regional Stream
Applicants on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL) can apply for up to four years (with eligibility for permanent residency after three years, depending on meeting age, English, Health and Character requirements);
The Labour Agreement Stream
Labour Agreements are not aimed for wide application but rather, are designed to be used in limited or exceptional circumstances where the standard skilled visa programmes are not available.
The TSS 482 visa subclass involves a three-step process
A sponsorship application by the employer
A nomination application for a skilled position by the employer
A visa application by the proposed employee
What you and your family can do whilst on a 482 Visa?
If you are granted this visa as a primary applicant, you can travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa and will be entitled to work only for the approved sponsor who has nominated you in your chosen occupation.
Whilst holding this visa, your family members – included in your application – can travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa and can work or study in Australia without restriction.
Processing Time for TSS visa
Processing times fluctuate in accordance with the departmental workload and are updated monthly. You can check the current processing time on https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times
If the employer is an accredited sponsor or your occupation is in a targeted sector by the government, such as health and education, your application will be prioritised.
FAQS
Who pays for the costs?
All costs relating to the business sponsorship and business nomination are legally required to be paid by the employer, including any consultancy fees for migration agents; it is against the law to pass these costs onto the applicant.
Fees for the visa application itself can be paid by either employer or visa applicant; it’s up to what is negotiated between the employer and applicant.
Can I Change Sponsors?
If you hold a TSS 482 visa, you can transfer your sponsorship to a new employer. Your new sponsor will need to nominate you on a TSS 482 visa. You cannot commence employment with your new sponsor until your nomination has been approved. This is currently taking approximately seven (7) business days. Generally speaking, this can be an auto-grant upon application.
What Does this Visa Allow You to Do?
The TSS 482 visa is a temporary visa that permits the holder to live in Australia while working full-time for the sponsoring employer in the nominated position. Applicants for a TSS visa may include dependent members of the family unit.
Family members, as a secondary dependent on the main 482 visa applicant, can enjoy unrestricted work rights whilst the holder of a 482 visa.
Obligations of TSS visa holders’
You must maintain health insurance at an appropriate level while you are in Australia. Reciprocal health arrangements may not always be adequate.
The primary visa holder must also engage in approved work. This generally means:
- Only work in the occupation for which your visa was approved. To work in a different occupation you must apply for and be granted a new TSS visa
- Only work for the employer who nominated the position you are working in (limited exceptions apply)
- Not cease employment for a period that exceeds 60 consecutive days
- Hold any licence, registration or membership that is mandatory to perform the occupation nominated in relation to you
- Comply with each condition or requirement to which the licence, registration or membership is subject
Can a TSS 482 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?
There is no obligation for an employer to sponsor you for permanent residency. It’s dependent on the business needs and whether or not there is an ongoing need for the full-time position.
Generally speaking, occupations nominated from the MLTSSL occupation list will provide a pathway to permanent residency through the 186 Visa Subclass.
Employment Terminated
You must notify the Department of Home Affairs of any change in your circumstances. If the 482 sponsor terminates your employment, you must do one of the following:
- Find another employer who is willing to sponsor you and have the approval in place before starting work with the new sponsoring employer; or
- Apply for another type of visa; however, there could be complications due to the 60 days’ time limit; or
- Leave Australia within 60 days, depending on your visa grant date
Please be aware that you must have a new 482 nomination lodged and approved before you start working with a new company.
Before any immigration advice can be provided, we must hold an initial consultation which will attract a fee commencing from $385.
