Australia’s “Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482” allows foreign workers to enter the labor market and stay and work in this developed country. Australian employers if they cannot find an Australian for their specific job positions can temporarily sponsor someone to fill this position. This visa plays a vital role in Australian immigration streams.
For these visa streams, the employer must first apply to be a sponsor and receive approval of the sponsorship. Then they nominate you for the selected occupation and afterwards, you apply for the visa. This visa is divided into three categories:
- Short Term Stream
This visa is valid for up to 2 years. If ITO (International Trade Obligations) applies then up to 4 years of maximum stay duration is also allowed. Australian employers can sponsor you for this visa if they cannot find Australian workers for the temporary shortage occupations. This visa category is limited to roles listed under the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
2. Middle Term Stream
This visa allows a stay of up to 4 years and the same conditions apply as for the short-term stream of this subclass.
3. Long Term Stream (labor agreement stream)
Applicants with labor agreements can apply for this visa. It allows up to 4 years and terms are written in the labor agreement. These agreements are generally between the Australian government and the employers. Currently, there are 5 types of labor agreements:
- Company-specific labor agreements
- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
- Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
- Industry labour agreements
- Project agreements
There are 10 industries labor agreements are in place:
- Minister of Religion
- On-hire
- Dairy
- Fishing
- Advertising
- Aged care
- Horticulture
- Meat
- Restaurant (premium dining)
Note: Citizens of Hong Kong can stay on these all visas for up to a 5 years.
Overview of Temporary Skill Shortage Visa subclass 482 offer
| Topics | Short-term stream | Medium-term stream | Long-term stream |
| Duration | Allows work for up to 2 years (extendable to 4 or 5 years based on ITO or nationality). | up to 4 years | Up to 4 years |
| Study | Permissible, though government assistance isn’t provided. | Permissible, though government assistance isn’t provided. | Permissible, though government assistance isn’t provided. |
| Travel (inbound/outbound) | Multiple entries allowed | Multiple entries allowed | Multiple entries allowed |
| Permanent Residence | Eligible if criteria are met | Eligible if criteria are met | Eligible if criteria are met |
| Occupation | Must align with Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). | Your employer must have nominated you to fill an occupation specified on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List | You must hold a labor agreement. |
| Cost | AUD1,455 for the main applicant, additional fees for dependents. | AUD3,035 for the main applicant, additional fees for dependents. | AUD3,035 for the main applicant, additional fees for dependents. |
| Visa Extension | Requires a new nomination and visa application. | Your employer must submit a new nomination. And you should submit a new visa. | Your employer must submit a new nomination. And you should submit a new visa. |
| Pathways to Permanent Residency | Via Employer Nomination Scheme or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme. | Yes | Through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). |
| Family Sponsorship | Eligible to be included in the application under specific conditions. | Eligible to be included in the application under specific conditions. | Eligible to be included in the application under specific conditions. |
Eligibility Criteria for TSS Visa (subclass 482)
The applicants applying for this visa must prove certain requirements that are required for all three streams of this visa. These are as follows:
English proficiency requirements
The English language proficiency should be proven at the competent level which is required for this visa. This level addresses the requirements as follows:
| Test | Score for Short-term Stream | Score for Medium-term Stream |
| IELTS | Overall 5 and at least 4.5 for each of the 4 components | Overall 5 and at least 5 for each of the 4 components |
| TOEFL iBT | iBT overall score of at least 35. At least 3 for each of the test components of listening and reading. And a score of at least 12 for each of the test components of speaking and writing. | iBT overall score of at least 35. At least 4 for each of the test components of listening and reading. And a score of at least 14 for each of the test components of speaking and writing. |
| PTE Academic | Overall 36 and at least 30 for each of the 4 components | Overall 36 and at least 36 for each of the 4 components |
| Occupational English Test | At least B for each of the 4 components | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Overall 154 and at least 147 in each of the 4 components | Overall 154 and at least 154 in each of the 4 components |
The required English level for their Long-term stream is not specified but should be sufficient to perform your occupation. It could also be written in the labor agreement as well.
Citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic do not need to present the above-mentioned English test with their visa application.
Furthermore, if you have studied full-time in a secondary or higher secondary school for 5 years in Australia, you also do not need to prove your English language proficiency at the competent level.
Age
Luckily there are no age requirements to apply for this visa for all three categories.
Visa Status
The applicant must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa if they are in Australia. Applicants can apply whether they are in or outside Australia.
Previous Visa Compliance
Interested candidates to apply for these visa categories must have complied with previous visa conditions.
Sponsorship
For all three visa streams, the “Nomination” by an approved sponsor is necessary. For the Long-term stream, a labor agreement is mandatory.
Job offer
A valid job offer is mandatory for the applicants to apply for these visas. For each category, these are:
- For the short-term stream, your employer should nominate you for occupation from the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
- For the medium-term stream, your employer should nominate you for a valid occupation from the Long-term Strategic Skills List.
- For the long-term stream, the applicant should be nominated by the employer for the jobs that are part of the labor agreement.
Skills
The applicants are required relevant skills for their nominated occupation. These are specified by the employers for the relevant job role.
Work Experience
All three streams under subclass 482 require a work experience of 2 years. The interested applicants must have 2 years of relevant work experience for the nominated occupation during the last 5 years. A work experience in a relevant field is also acceptable. Casual work experiences are not accepted as a work experience requirement. The work experience need not be continuous over the past 5 years.
Skills Assessment
Mandatory for some applicants. The applicant must possess a positive skills assessment report to be eligible for this visa.
General Requirements
The applicants must also meet for all three categories. They must:
- meet health standards.
- meet character standards.
- have a genuine intention to stay temporarily.
- not owe any debt to the Australian government. A clean financial record history is mandatory.
- agree to respect Australian laws and way of life.
- maintain adequate health coverage.
- have a clean immigration history.
Application Process – Step by Step Guidance
Step 1: Preparation
- Arrange necessary assessments: Before application, arrange assessments including skills evaluation, English proficiency testing, and health examination.
- Ensure nomination by employer: Confirm that your prospective employer has nominated you for a specific position within their organization.
- Check passport validity: Verify that your passport is valid for the duration of the visa period to avoid any complications during the application process.
- Arrange health insurance: Obtain evidence of adequate health insurance coverage for both yourself and any accompanying dependents.
Step 2: Visa Application
- Apply online via ImmiAccount: Initiate your visa application process by logging in or creating an account on the designated platform.
- Attach required documents: Ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted along with your application.
- Pay application fee: Complete the payment of the application fee and take note of the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) for future reference.
- Be prepared for additional requests: Be ready to provide additional information or undergo biometric procedures if requested.
- Maintain lawful status: Ensure you maintain a valid visa status throughout the processing period of your application.
Step 3: Visa Outcome
- Await decision: Expect to receive notification of the visa outcome in writing, whether it’s a grant or refusal.
- Review refusal reasons: In the case of a refusal, carefully review the reasons provided and explore options for review or appeal.
- Keep visa details handy: Make note of important visa details including the grant number, start date, and any associated conditions for future reference.
How long does it take to get a subclass 482 visa?
For all three categories, nomination and sponsorships, the processing times are:
| Processing Times* | Short-term Stream | Medium-term stream | Long-term stream | Nomination | Sponsorship |
| 50% processed | 23 days | 25 days | 30 days | in 6 days | in 6 days |
| 90% processed | 3 months | 3 months | 4 months | in 33 days | in 21 days |
When You Have This Visa
Reaching Australia
- Verify that your passport and visa are current and have the required validity.
- Complete an Incoming Passenger Card.
- Utilize SmartGate for quicker airport departure.
In Australia
Once you are in Australia, you can be on these all visa types?
- Work, study, and enroll in Medicare.
- Support eligible relatives’ visits.
- Travel to and from Australia over 5 years.
- Apply for citizenship if eligible.
- Your work is protected by Australian workplace laws.
- You can sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency.
Traveling on Your Visa
- Travel flexibility for up to 5 years.
- Use VEVO for checking conditions and travel records.
Sponsoring Family Members
Family members can also be sponsored through these three visa streams. It depends if the applicant holds a subclass 457 or TSS visa. The following family members can be included in the application:
- one of your family members or
- Your family member who holds a subclass 457 or TSS visa that was granted on the basis that they were a member of the family unit at the time, and is currently one of the following:
- your spouse or de facto partner
- your or your spouse’s or de facto partner’s child or step-child who is not engaged, married, or in a de facto relationship, and is:
- younger than 23
- aged 23 or older and fully or mostly reliant on you or your partner because they cannot work, due to a partial or total physical or mental disability
- is a dependent child of your or your spouse or de facto partner’s child or step-child