What is a temporary skill shortage (TSS) – Subclass 482 visa? How to apply?
TSS is a temporary visa that lets an employer sponsor a suitably skilled worker to fill a position they can’t find a suitably skilled Australian to fill. There is no age limit for TSS visas.
Main features of the 3 Streams of TSS visa are provided in the table below.
| Short-term | Medium-Term | Labour Agreement |
| Your nominated occupation must be on the short-term occupation skilled list. | Your nominated occupation must be either on the medium-term occupation skilled list or the Regional Occupation List (ROL) | This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement with the Australia government in effect. It lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. |
| Stay: up to 2 years or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation(ITO) applies. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years. | Stay: up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years. | Stay: up to 4 years depending on the terms in the labour agreement. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years. |
| Processing time: 75% of applications: 84 days | 90% of applications: 4 months | Processing time: 75% of applications: 3 months | 90% of applications: 5 months | Processing time: Varies depending on circumstances. |
| Visa application Cost From AUD 1,265 | Visa Application Cost From AUD 2,645 | Visa Application Cost From AUD 2,645 |
| Eligibility – You must be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible short-term skilled occupations have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field within the last 5 years. have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this ( PTE Overall score of at least 36 & at least 30 in each test components, IELTS overall 5 & at least 4.5 in each test components or equivalent score in any other accepted English language test) | Eligibility – You must be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible medium and long-term skilled occupations have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field within the last 5 years. have a relevant skills assessment if required meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this ( PTE Overall score of at least 36 & at least 36 each in each test components, IELTS overall 5 & at least 5 in each test components or equivalent score in any other accepted English language test) | Eligibility – You must Be nominated to work in a specific occupation under the terms of a Labour Agreement have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field within the last 5 years. have a relevant skills assessment if required meet minimum standards of English language proficiency specified in the labour agreement between your employer and the Australian government , unless you are exempt |
| VISA conditions Maintain adequate health insurance Must only work in a nominated occupation and with the business that nominated you, unless an exemption applies. | VISA conditions Maintain adequate health insurance Must only work in a nominated occupation and with the business that nominated you, unless an exemption applies. | VISA conditions Maintain adequate health insurance Must only work in a nominated occupation and with the business that nominated you, unless an exemption applies. |
| No permanent residency pathway.
You can renew it once onshore. | Pathway to Permanent residency after being on 482 visa for 3 years with the sponsor. Renewable unlimited times onshore. | Pathway to Permanent residency after being on 482 visa for 3 years with the sponsor. |
The process for TSS 482 subclass visa simplified:
TSS 482 visa can be divided into two parts – the nomination process and the visa application process and requires documentation from both parties – the visa applicant and the sponsor ( the employer). There are other specific requirements to be met by the sponsoring business for eg; the business must obtain standard business sponsor approval to be eligible to sponsor overseas workers and the business must pay the visa applicant Australian Market Salary Rate of the nominated occupation etc.
First the sponsor must apply to be approved as a standard business sponsor (SBS)
The business can also start Labour Market testing at this point or once the SBS is approved.
A Labour marketing testing is basically done to prove to the department that the business genuinely tried to hire an Australian skilled worker and failed to get a suitable worker. It usually involves the process of posting vacancy advertisements for a minimum of 28 days in 2 prominent recruitment agencies or newspaper and Australian government website jobactive.
Once the labour marketing test is completed. The employer can then nominate you for the available work position. The employer will submit a nomination application to the department with its SBS and other relevant documents such as your signed employer contract. Once the nomination is lodged, you can apply for the visa, provide your supporting documents and wait for the outcome.
The nomination must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
A nomination refusal leads to the refusal of the visa as well.
For further in depth information regarding TSS (482) visa, please book a free consultation with our registered migration agent.
