Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
(Subclass 482)
The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) allows employers to mitigate labor shortages by hiring skilled workers when suitable Australian candidates are unavailable. It facilitates the recruitment of foreign workers to address temporary skill gaps, while ensuring priority for Australian workers. Holders of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa can work in Australia within their nominated occupation and may have the opportunity to pursue permanent residency through the 186 Visa. You can apply online through ImmiAccount for this Visa.
For a Business to sponsor an individual for the Temporary Skill Shortage 482 visa, then they must at least be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) or Overseas Business Sponsor.
You have the flexibility to lodge your application while in or outside Australia, or if you hold a Bridging Visa A (BVA), Bridging Visa B (BVB), or Bridging Visa C (BVC).
Note that the 457 Visa has been discontinued and replaced by the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa, which consists of the Short-Term stream, Medium-Term stream, and Labour Agreement stream.
TSS (subclass 482) Visa Employer Nomination period:
When submitting a 482 TSS nomination application, employers are required to designate an employment period. For the short-term stream, the options include 1 or 2 years, with the possibility of extending up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) is applicable. In the medium-term or labor agreements stream, employers can choose from employment periods of 1, 2, 3, or 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years for the short term or long-term stream.Â
This selection process allows employers to align the duration of the employment with the specific stream’s requirements, providing flexibility in meeting workforce needs.
Changes to the 482 Visa:
The Department of Home Affairs has scheduled the implementation of changes to the employer-sponsored permanent residency program from November 25, 2023.Â
Following the enactment of these Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) reforms, individuals holding short-term Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visas will have the opportunity to pursue permanent residency through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the ENS 186 visa program. Employers already approved as standard business sponsors for the subclass 457 visa will retain the ability to sponsor skilled overseas workers under the 482 TSS visa program.
In the context of age, individuals over 50 years old can still apply for the TSS 482 visa as there is no age limit associated with this visa category.
Requirements for the employee:
- be nominated to work in an occupation that is listed as eligible on the Skilled Occupation List.
- have at least 2 years of full-time relevant work experience usually within the last 5 years; but may also count if outside of the last 5 years depending on your occupation, qualification, licence and skills authority requirements (if applicable). This work experience can be onshore and/or offshore in your nominated occupation or a related field and is the same or closely related to what is outlined in ANZSCO for that nominated occupation. Full-time work is 38 hours per week, however full-time work may also be considered for a period between 32 and 45 hours per week. Part-time work experience that is equivalent to two years full-time experience may also be counted, but not casual work experience.
- Meet general ANZSCO task requirements in your nominated occupation including any relevant license/registration/professional membership if it listed as required in ANZSCO or by relevant State/Territory authorities for that nominated occupation.
- Meet relevant Labour Market Testing (LMT) unless you are exempted under an International Trade Obligation.
- Generally, you are exempt from the requirement to have a skills assessment, but there is a mandatory skills assessment requirement for certain occupations and passport holders.
- Work on a full-time basis for your sponsor or associated entity if in Australia, unless you are exempt. For overseas sponsors, you must work only for that business, unless you are exempt.
- Meet minimum standards of English Language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this.
- Maintain adequate health insurance while you remain in Australia for yourself and if applicable, your family members, unless you are exempt under a reciprocal healthcare agreement.
Application Costs for 482 Visa:
The associated costs for the TSS 482 visa are as follows:
- For the employer to become an approved sponsor under the TSS 482 visa program: AUD $420
- For the employer to Nominate a visa applicant for the TSS 482 visa: AUD $330
- For the employee to apply for the TSS 482 visa application: AUD $1,495 for short-term stream. AUD $3,115Â for medium-term/Labour stream
- In addition, Businesses who are sponsoring an employee are also required to pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy: This amount depends on the business turnover, and the proposed period of stay of the employee. The levy payments are listed in the below table:
Business size | TSS 482 visa |
Small (annual turnover less than $10 million) | AUD $1200 per year or part thereof up to 4 years. 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders. |
Other business (annual turnover of $10 million or more) | AUD $1800 per year or part thereof up to 4 years. 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders. |
Still have any question in mind?
Can I apply for permanent residency if my occupation is on the STSOL or ROL list?
If your occupation is on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL), you may still be eligible for permanent residency through the 186 Transition Stream. Check with our office to find out your eligibility.
Can I include my family on the 482 visa Australia?
A family member can join their application together with the primary 482 visa applicant, or any other applicant who claims to be a member of the family unit of the primary applicant – that is, a combined application can be lodged at the ‘same time and place’ as the primary applicant.
If you do not combine the visa application at the time of lodgement, then family members must apply separately by submitting a visa application in their own right. This is known as a 482 subsequent entrant visa.
As a student graduate, can I apply for the 482 visa?
For most student graduates, attaining temporary or permanent business sponsorship poses a challenge, given the requisite two years of full-time work experience required to apply for the 482 Visa. However, structured, formal training and work experience obtained during a student 500 visa tenure and/or a 485 Graduate Visa may contribute toward fulfilling the mandatory two-year work experience requirement.
Are there age restrictions for the TSS 482 visa?
No, there is no age limit for the TSS 482 visa, making it accessible to individuals over the age of 50.
What is the difference between the Subclass 457 and 482 visas?
The Subclass 457 visa has been discontinued and replaced with the 482 TSS visa, necessitating adherence to the revised visa criteria and regulatory framework.