New Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482 Replacing Subclass 457
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa, or TSS (Subclass 482), has finally replaced the 457 Temporary Work Skilled visa as of 18 March 2018.
The 457 visa was scrapped because some people in Australia, and their government, felt that it was too easy for foreign applicants to get one and took good skilled jobs away from Australians.
It was also seen as an easy gateway to permanent residency in Australia.
Skilled Australians felt hard done by, and demanded a change in the regulations.
The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa is that change.
It will be a lot more difficult to get a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa.
As the business that sponsors you must put a lot more work into proving that there are no Australians who could do the job.
The list of occupations that are eligible to be filled by someone on a 482 visa has also been changed and updated since it was created for the 457.
There are two lists: short term and medium term.
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved business in an approved occupation for up to four years (or five in exceptional cases).
How Do I Apply For Temporary Skill Shortage Visa?
A business can only sponsor someone for this visa if they genuinely cannot find an Australian citizen or permanent resident to do the skilled work (and can prove they put in the leg work to find such an Australian).
The following steps are now in place, as of 18 March 2018.
Step 1
If you are looking to apply for this visa, as a first step you have to find a business that is already a “Standard Business Sponsor”, or is willing to become one to employ you.
For your employer to become a Standard Business Sponsor, they have to be a lawfully operating business and have no relevant adverse information about them (e.g. have never been insolvent in the past).
They must also prove that they have been loyal to the Australian workforce and have employed many Australians.
They must prove that they mainly rely on local labour, and hiring you is an exception.
The sponsorship status is in place for 5 years only, before the company has to renew it.
Step 2
If your employer is approved as a sponsor, they can apply to nominate you for the role.
For this they have to provide documentation around your working circumstances and environment (e.g. your contract of employment, working hours, salary etc). they also have to explain why they hired you (your skill set etc)
Step 3
While the nomination is being processed, you can apply at the same time for your actual subclass 482 application.
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor under one of three streams:
- Short term stream (usually for two years, although in exceptional cases it can be up to 4 years)
- Medium term stream (can be up to four years)
- Labour agreement stream (up to five years, and with a Labour Agreement in place with immigration)
The link to the combined medium and short term eligible occupations list is here.
To apply for any of the streams you must:
- be nominated to work in an approved occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
- meet the skill requirements for the nominated occupation
- meet registration and licensing obligations
- speak vocational English
- have at least 2 years relevant work experience, preferably in your actual nominated role.
- For this there are exceptions depending on the industry.
- For example, some people may be able use their masters degree in place of work experience.
If you would like further information on the new Temporary Skill Shortage visa, or how to go about each of the steps, please get in touch with ONE derland Consulting on +61 89 477 5831, or through other communication channels listed in our contact page.
We would be delighted to help you with any of your queries.
