The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482 allows employers to address labour shortages by hiring skilled workers from overseas if they
are unable to find a suitable candidate in Australia. This visa is temporary, allowing skilled workers to work in Australia for up to four years if
they are sponsored by an approved Australian employer. To apply for this visa, applicants must have professional skills or work experience in an occupation that is listed on the relevant skilled occupation list. 482 visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation and, in some cases, may have a pathway to permanent residency.
The visa consists of three streams: Short-Term stream, Medium-Term stream, and Labour Agreement Stream.
Short-Term Stream
The 482 visa (Short-Term Stream) allows overseas workers to live in Australia while working full-time for their sponsoring employer in the
nominated position for up to 2 years, or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.
Requirements for Applicants
Applicants must be nominated by an Australian business that meets sponsorship requirements and has been approved as a sponsor. They must obtain a minimum overall score of 5 in IELTS (with a minimum of 4.5 in each test component), or be passport holders from Canada,
Ireland, UK, USA, or NZ.
They must have at least 2 years of work experience related to the nominated occupation.
The occupation must be listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL).
Applicants must demonstrate appropriate skills and qualifications to work in the nominated occupation.
They must meet the genuine temporary entrant requirement.
They must meet health and character requirements.
Immediate family members may be included with the support of the employer.
Requirements for Australian Employers:
Employers who wish to sponsor overseas workers must become Standard Business Sponsors. To become an approved sponsor, the organization
must be legally established and actively operating in Australia. The company can be located in or outside Australia.
Employers must pay Australian market salary rates for the nominated occupation.
The business must demonstrate that it has tested the local labor market by advertising the position locally.
Employers must also pass a non-discriminatory workforce test to ensure they do not discriminate against Australian workers during the
nomination stage and have a strong commitment to utilizing local labor.
Employers must pay at least a minimum annual salary equal to or greater than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT),
which is currently $70,000 plus Superannuation. Additionally, the salary must also be competitive in the market for that occupation.
Employers should pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. The levy payable is based on the turnover of the nominating business.
Medium-Term Stream
The medium-term (Subclass 482) Visa stream allows applicants to stay in Australia for up to 4 years (or up to 5 years if the applicant is a Hong Kong
passport holder) to work for their employer with the option to apply for another 482 Visa or Permanent Residency if eligible.
Requirements for Applicants:
- Applicants must be nominated by an Australian business that meets sponsorship requirements and has been approved as a sponsor;
- They must obtain a minimum overall score of 5 in the IELTS (with a minimum of 5 in each of the test components) OR be a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, UK, USA, or NZ;
- They must have at least 2 years of work experience related to the nominated occupation;
- Demonstrate appropriate skills and qualifications to work in the nominated occupation;
- The occupation must be on the Medium Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL);
- Applicants do not need to meet the genuine temporary entrant requirement;
- They must meet health and character requirements;
- Immediate family members may be included with the support of the employer.
Requirements for Australian Employers:
- Employers who want to sponsor overseas workers must become Standard Business Sponsors. To become an approved sponsor, the organization
- must be legally established and actively operating in Australia. The company can be located in or outside Australia.
- Employers must pay Australian market salary rates for the nominated occupation;
- The business must demonstrate that it has tested the local labor market by advertising the position locally;
- Employers must pass a non-discriminatory workforce test to ensure they do not discriminate against Australian workers during the nomination
- stage and have a strong commitment to utilizing local labor;
- Employers must pay at least a minimum annual salary equal to or greater than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT),
- which is currently $70,000 plus Superannuation. In addition, the salary must also be competitive in the market for that occupation.
- Employers should pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. The levy payable is based on the turnover of the nominating business.
The Labour Agreement Stream:
The Labour Agreement Stream allows applicants to stay in Australia for up to 4 years (or up to 5 years if the applicant is a Hong Kong passport
holder) to work for their employer with the option to apply for another 482 Visa or Permanent Residency if eligible.
This stream may be used in rare circumstances if an Australian employer can prove a need that cannot be met by Australian workers and other visa programs are not available. These agreements should be arranged between an employer and the Department of Home Affairs to enable an employer to hire overseas workers that may have a specified age, specified occupation, skill level, English language proficiency, and annual income requirements. The nominated occupation must be covered by a labour agreement between the Commonwealth and the Australian employer.
The application process includes three steps:
- Applying to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor.
- Applying for a nomination by the employer.
- Applying for a visa as the nominated employee.