Temporary Skill Shortage – TSS visa
(482 visa)

The Temporary Skill Shortage – (TSS visa – 482 visa) allows Australian employers to sponsor employees who are foreign nationals for a temporary visa to work in Australia.

This visa is designed to respond to the needs of Australian employers by allowing them to recruit and nominate skilled people to fill positions that cannot be filled from the Australian labour market or through their own staff training. The Temporary Skill Shortage – (TSS visa – 482 visa) caters for employees who are either genuinely highly skilled workers from overseas or genuinely highly skilled temporary residents currently in Australia.

Please note there is no age requirement set for the Temporary Skill Shortage – (TSS visa – 482 visa).

The Temporary Skill Shortage – (TSS visa – 482 visa) work visa may be applied for inside or outside Australia and all applicants must meet health and character criteria. Certain work visa applicants will also need to meet the English language requirement.

The Temporary Skill Shortage – (TSS visa – 482 visa) has three steams under which an applicant can apply:

a. The Short-term stream is for employers who wish to sponsor an applicant to be in Australia on a temporary basis.  Only occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) can apply under this stream.  The visa is valid for a maximum of 2 years or 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.

b. The Medium-term stream is for employers who wish to sponsor an applicant to be in Australia for a period of up to 4 years. Only occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Skilled Occupation List (MLTSOL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL) can apply under this stream. Applicants who apply for this visa may be eligible to apply for a permanent visa in the future.

c. The Labour Agreement stream is for employers who wish to sponsor an applicant and they have entered into a labour agreement with the Department.

How does this visa work?

Step 1: The employer has to apply to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor. Once approved, the business sponsorship is valid for five years and the business can nominate workers during this period. A business that is operating for less than 12 months or an overseas business can also be approved sponsorship for a 5-year period.

Step 2: The employer must nominate an occupation in their business to be approved from the 482 Skilled Occupation List and identify in the application who the visa applicant will be. As part of the Nomination application the company must provide evidence that there is a genuine need for the position & that the position has not been created to just help the nominee stay in Australia/migrate to Australia.

Step 3: A visa application must be lodged. The visa applicant must meet certain requirements for the approval of the visa, such as English fluency, work experience, skills, health and character to meet the requirements of the nominated occupation.

TSS Visa Employer Eligibility

• Lawfully and actively operating business operating in Australia
• Have a genuine need for a paid employee to fill the position AND unable to fill the position with local labour
• Have advertised the position to meet the Department’s specific requirements
• Direct employer of the employee
• Good business record and abide by immigration laws.

Am I eligible for a TSS visa via the Short-Term stream?

• I have a nominated occupation on the current Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• I am either inside or outside Australia
• I have the required skills, qualifications, and employment background to perform my nominated occupation
• I have been employed full-time (35h/wk) in my nominated occupation or a related field for at least 2 years
• I have a genuine intention of entering and remaining in Australia for a short period (up to 2 years)
• I will be working directly for my sponsor
• I am being offered the Market Salary rate for my nominated occupation
• I have a positive skills assessment (if required)
• I have the correct level of English
• I meet the health and character requirements.

Am I eligible for a TSS visa via the Medium-Term stream?

• I have a nominated occupation on the current Medium and Long-term Skilled Occupation List (MLTSOL) OR the Regional Occupation List (ROL)
• I am either inside or outside Australia
• I have the required skills, qualifications, and employment background to perform my nominated occupation
• I have been employed full-time (35h/wk) in my nominated occupation or a related field for at least 2 years
• I will be working directly for my sponsor
• I am being offered the Market Salary rate for my nominated occupation
• I have a positive skills assessment (if required)
• I have the correct level of English
• I meet the health and character requirements.

Am I eligible for an TSS visa via the Agreement stream?

Labour Agreements are formal arrangements between an employer and the Commonwealth which allow for the recruitment of an agreed number of overseas skilled workers.

• I meet the age, English, skills, experience, and any other requirements as stated in the Labour Agreement to which my employer has entered into with the Department
• I am either inside or outside Australia
• I meet the health and character requirements.

What does this visa allow me to do?

• Reside, study and work for my sponsoring employer in Australia for the length of my visa
• Travel in and out of Australia during the life of my visa
• Include dependent family members so they can reside in Australia with me.