AUSTRALIA TEMPORARY SKILLS SHORTAGE (TSS) VISA (SUB CLASS 482)

AUSTRALIA TEMPORARY SKILLS SHORTAGE (TSS) VISA (SUB CLASS 482)

The Subclass 482 visa allows a skilled worker to work in their nominated occupation for an approved sponsor (employer) in Australia for up to four years.

Before applying for this visa, the worker must have an employer who is a standard business sponsor and has applied for nomination with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for the worker.

An employer who is already registered as a standard business sponsor can apply for the worker's nomination, and once approved, the worker has six months to apply for the visa.

Employers who are not eligible sponsors must first apply to become one and then apply for worker's nomination. Both sponsorship and nomination applications can be made at the same time.

Employers have several obligations to fulfill to become a business sponsor and nominate an employee, such as meeting the requirements set by the Department of Immigration regarding business tenure, critical position needs, training benchmarks, checking that no Australian citizens or Permanent Residents are available for the position, and offering a suitable salary to the nominated worker among others.

THE VARIOUS STREAMS UNDER 482 SUB CLASS VISA

The Subclass 482 visa offers three options to choose from:

• The Short-Term stream, which allows a stay of 2-4 years and requires the occupation to be on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

• The Medium-Term stream, which allows a stay of up to 4 years and requires the occupation to be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

• The Labour Agreement stream, which allows a stay of up to 4 years and is based on a Labor Agreement.

All three streams have different requirements, applicants should ensure that their occupation is present on the required skilled occupation list, and they must be nominated by an approved sponsor in order to apply for the visa.

ELIGIBILITY FOR TEMPORARY SKILLS SHORTAGE VISA (TSS VISA)

To be eligible for a 494 visa, applicants must have sponsorship from an approved standard business sponsor, be nominated for a skilled occupation that has been approved by the Australian Government, possess the necessary skills to fill the nominated position, meet English language proficiency requirements, have any necessary registration or licensing, be limited to working only in the nominated occupation, meet health, character, and other skill-related requirements, have adequate health insurance or be covered by Medicare, and have the option to include their partner, dependent children, and other family members in the application.

APPLICATION COST

To apply for sponsorship as an eligible standard business sponsor, the fee is AUD420. The fee for nomination application, also for the employer, is AUD330. The Temporary Skills Shortage visa (subclass 482 Short Term Stream) application fee is AUD1,330, and for the Medium-Term and Labour Agreement Stream, the fee is AUD2,770. The same fee applies to additional applicants over 18 years old, with additional costs for applicants under 18 years old, depending on the stream being applied for. 

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