Introduction
Temporary Skill Shortage TSS visa 482 is an employer sponsored visa, allowing employers to address the labour shortage within their company/organisation by bringing in skilled workers where they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian. Under this visa subclass, employees can stay and work in Australia for up to 4 years, depending on what stream they apply for.
There will be significant changes for TSS visa in December 2024. These updates are designed to create a more dynamic and responsive system for both skilled professionals and the employers who rely on their talents.
Reduced 482 Visa Requirements
Starting from 23 November 2024, applicants need only one year of full-time work experience in their nominated occupation to be eligible for a 482 visa. The previous requirement is two-year of work experience.
This change will help speed up the process of retaining skilled workers who can contribute significantly to the local economy. Employers can also benefit from this change as they can access to a larger pool of candidates to address the skills shortages.
Expanded Pathways to Permanent Residency
From December 2024, the Australian Government will also expand the pathway for TSS visa holders to transition to permanent residency. Under the updated Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa, TSS visa holders now have a clearer route to permanent status. Applicants who have worked for their sponsoring employer for at least two of the past three years now can apply for a permanent visa without the restrictive occupation lists.
Previously, only 482 via holders who are employed in occupations listed under the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) can be qualified for visa 186. This requirement restricts opportunities of a large number of skilled workers who can contribute to the local economy. However, from December 2024, with the removal of the restrictive occupation lists, more occupations will qualify for Australian permanent residency.
The Introduction of the Skills in Demand Visa
In December 2024, the Australian government will officially phase out the TSS visa, replacing it with the new Skills in Demand visa. This change is part of the broader migration reform strategy aimed at better addressing Australia’s labour needs while providing skilled migrants with clearer and more secure pathways to permanent residency.
The Skills in Demand visa will include three streams—Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills—each tailored to meet different segments of the Australian job market.
- Specialist Skills Pathway: This stream is to attract top talent in critical fields, targeting professionals with highly specialised expertise. Applicants under this pathway must earn a minimum of AUD $135,000 annually.
- Core Skills Pathway: The Core Skills stream is the new mainstream pathway for most skilled migrants, focused on professionals whose occupations are on the newly established Core Skills Occupation List. This list will be introduced in December 2024 or early 2025 and will be updated regularly to ensure it reflects the evolving needs of the Australian economy. Applicants must meet a salary threshold of AUD $73,150 to be able to apply for this stream.
- Essential Skills Pathway: This stream will target lower paid workers but having essential skills. In defining essential skills, the Australian Government may consider sectors and occupations that are vital to supporting the living standards of Australians but there are persistent shortages, such as Aged Care. Details for this stream are still being finalised, but it will highlight the government’s focus on sectors that have faced chronic labour shortages.
Conclusion
Employer Sponsored Visas are getting more popular in Australia as the quotation for these visa subclasses appears to increase recently. If you wish to know your eligibility for these visas, contact our experienced migration agents today at 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.com. With more than 20 years of experience, we will provide you with the best visa option for you.