The 482 Visa or the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa was initially designed to assist Australian businesses in hiring professionals and other skilled workers whose capabilities, training, and experience are currently unavailable from the local talent market. It has been refined from its old 457 version and is now friendlier to Australians, making sure that job opportunities for citizens are secured and intact.
The 482 Visa, also known as the TSS Visa, a pathway for skilled workers from other countries to migrate to Australia with their families. It allows them to contribute their skills and hard work, making Australian businesses thrive, and therefore helping sustain the Australian economy all in all.
Are you a professional who is aiming to relocate to a different country? What are your top destinations of choice? If Australia is on your list, then this article is for you.
Please note that this article is not an official source of information for processing and lodging requirements for the 482 Visa, however, it is a good starting point for anyone who is considering it.
Occupation Lists for the 482 Visa
In order to apply for a 482 visa, you will need to be nominated by an Australian business in a specific occupation. Take note that not every occupation can be nominated, so the first thing to do is check the list of occupations and make sure there is one you are eligible for. Certain requirements, the length of the visa and Permanent Residency (PR) options will be determined depending on which occupational list your job belongs to.
Occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) will be granted a visa for up to two years unless an international trade obligation (ITO) applies. Then it can be granted for up to 4 years. These occupations can have their visas renewed only once whilst being in Australia and once whilst outside of Australia, as long as there is a business willing to nominate them.
Occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic List (MLTSSL) allow skilled migrant workers to stay in the country for up to four years. Unlike occupations on the STSOL, 482 visas under MLTSSL can be renewed unlimited times both onshore and offshore as long as there is a business willing to nominate them.
The final list is the Regional Occupation List (ROL) which is similar to the MLTSSL apart from the requirement that the applicant must be nominated by a business in a regional area in Australia.
It is important that you understand the requirements for each occupation and what documents you will be expected to provide when applying for the visa.
Applying for a TSS Visa
Once you have found an employer willing to sponsor you, have the required documents you will need to apply for the visa. This is done in three stages. The first two stages are the business’ responsibility and the third is yours.
Stage 1 -Standard business sponsorship (SBS)
The business must become approved as a Standard Business Sponsor by the Australian government. To be granted an SBS, the business must demonstrate that it has been established legally and is actively operating. Additionally, it also has to exhibit its commitment to employing Australian citizens.
Stage 2 – Nomination
When your company becomes a standard business sponsor, it then has to nominate you for an occupation on one of the occupation lists. Also, before lodging the nomination application, your employer is required to conduct labour market testing, unless exempted, in order to show that they are unable to find a local worker to do the required job. They also have to ensure that they meet employment and salary condition requirements by determining the annual market salary rate for your nominated position and by manifesting that, indeed, they have the ability to pay you the appropriate remuneration.
Stage 3 – Visa Application
The last stage is your 482 visa application. Here, you will have to provide all of the required documents to prove you meet the various visa requirements. These include English proficiency, skills, qualifications and experience, and character requirements.
Further, you will need to provide evidence of at least two years of full -time experience for the occupation you wish to be nominated for.
If you are seriously planning to go ahead with the 482 visa application or are needing help in getting started, please visit our visa information centre to get all the information you will need.
