Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482)

The TSS subclass 482 visa replaced the 457 work visa in March 2018.

This is a temporary visa allowing the holder to live and work in Australia for up to 2 or 4 years depending on the occupation. There are pathways to permanent residency visas for the Medium-term stream, if eligible.

The TSS is a three-step process consisting of employer sponsorship, employer nomination application and the employee visa application.

• The employer must be an approved sponsor and nominated the applicant for the skilled occupation.

• The applicant must be nominated by the approved employer for an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).

• Up to 2 years visa for the Short-term stream (occupations on the STSOL).

• Up to 4 years visa for the Medium-term stream (occupations on the MLTSSL or the ROL).

• The visa holder on the Medium-term stream may be eligible to apply for a permanent visa after 3 years.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186)

This is a permanent residency visa allowing the holder to live and work in Australia and stay permanently.

The ENS is a two-step process involving the employer nomination application and the employee visa application.

• The applicant must be nominated by an Australian employer (the employer does not need to be a sponsor).

• At the time of application, unless exempt applicant, the applicant:

  • must be under 45 years old

  • for the Direct Entry stream - have a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation

  • for the Direct Entry stream - have at least 3 years full-time experience in the nominated occupation

  • have at least Competent English (equivalent of IELTS minimum of 6 in each category), no exemption unless is the holder of a passport from United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States, Canada or New Zealand

• The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for holders of subclass 457 (not under the Labour Agreement stream), subclass 482 Medium-term visa or related Bridging A, B or C visa, who have worked in the same position in Australia for 3 years in the last 4 years and the employer is nominating the applicant for a permanent position of the same occupation that is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

• Transitional arrangements for holders of subclass 457 visa that was applied for on or before 18 April 2017, will be able apply for the Temporary Residence Transition stream when they have worked in the same position in Australia for 2 years in the last 3 years and the employer is nominating the applicant for a permanent position of the same occupation (regardless of whether or not the occupation is on the MLTSSL). The age requirement will remain at under 50 years old.

• The Direct Entry stream is for applicant who has been nominated for an occupation on the MLTSSL in the Direct Entry stream and does not meet the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

• The Labour Agreement stream is for applicant who has been nominated for the Labour Agreement stream and the nominator is a party to the labour agreement.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187)

This is a permanent residency visa allowing the holder to live and work in regional Australia for a minimum of 2 years with the nominating employer before residing anywhere in Australia and stay permanently.

The RSMS is a two-step process involving the employer nomination application and the employee visa application.

• The applicant must be nominated by an Australia employer in regional Australia (the employer does not need to be a sponsor).

• At the time of application, unless exempt applicant, the applicant:

  • must be under 45 years old

  • have at least Competent English (equivalent of IELTS minimum of 6 in each category), or have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in secondary or higher education institution in English, or is the holder of a passport from United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States, Canada or New Zealand

• The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for holders of subclass 457 (not under the Labour Agreement stream), subclass 482 Medium-term stream visa or related Bridging A, B or C visa who have worked in the same position in Australia for 3 years in the last 4 years and the employer is nominating the applicant for a permanent position of the same occupation that is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).

• Transitional arrangements for holders of subclass 457 visa that was applied for on or before 18 April 2017, will be able to apply for the Temporary Residence Transition stream when they have worked in the same position in Australia for 2 years in the last 3 years and the employer is nominating the holder for a permanent position of the same occupation (regardless of whether or not the occupation is on the MLTSSL or ROL). The age requirement will remain at under 50 years old.

• The Direct Entry stream (only for applications made before 16 November 2019) is for applicant who has been nominated for an occupation on the MLTSSL or ROL in the Direct Entry stream and does not meet the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

• The visa holder must work in the nominated occupation in regional Australia for at least 2 years.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494)

This is a temporary visa allowing the holder to live, work and study in designated regional area of Australia for 5 years. There is a pathway to the new Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 visa after 3 years in designated regional area, if eligible.

This is a three-step process consisting of employer sponsorship, employer nomination application and the employee visa application.

• The employer must be an approved sponsor and nominated the applicant for the skilled occupation.

• The applicant must be nominated by an approved employer for an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL).

• At the time of application, unless exempt applicant, the applicant for the Employer Sponsored stream:

  • must be under 45 years old

  • have a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation

  • have at least 3 years full-time experience in the nominated occupation

  • have at least Competent English (equivalent to IELTS minimum of 6 in each category), no exemption unless is the holder of a passport from United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States, Canada or New Zealand

• Holders including family members must live, work and study in designated regional area for at least 3 years before eligible to apply for other permanent residency visas including the new Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 visa.