Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)

The Subclass 482 visa is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work in a specified occupation for a period of time. This visa is employer-sponsored and is intended to bring in individuals with the skills needed for specific jobs when no suitable local workers are available.  

Note: 482 Visa Changes – The government plans to introduce a new Skills in Demand visa to replace the TSS 482 visa, focusing more on filling jobs in high-demand areas. This skills in demand visa offers three pathways: Tier 1 – Specialist Skills Pathway, Tier 2 – Core Skills Pathway, and Tier 3 – Essential Skills Pathway. 

The Subclass 482 Visa has three streams. The Short-Term Stream and Medium-Term Stream have access to Permanent Residency after 2 years. The Labour Agreement Stream which allows employers with government agreements to hire overseas workers when suitable Australian workers cannot be found. 

The application process for the Subclass 482 visa involves three main stages:

• Sponsorship: An employer must apply to become an approved sponsor.
• Nomination: The approved sponsor nominates a position to be filled by the overseas worker.
• Visa Application: The skilled worker applies for the visa by fulfilling the 482 visa requirements and submitting the necessary documents such as proof of skills, qualifications, English language proficiency, and health checks.

Depending on the stream, the Subclass 482 Visa has varying duration. Stays in the Short-Term Stream are permitted for up to two years or four years if an International Trade Obligation is met. While the Labour Agreement Stream varies based on the labour agreement, usually ranging from 2 to 4 years, the Medium-Term Stream allows stays of up to 4 years. 

Depending on the applicant’s occupation, a skills evaluation can be necessary before applying for the TSS visa. Certain positions need applicants to complete a skills assessment to prove they have the required education and experience, particularly those on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). 

The Subclass 482 visa processing time typically ranges from 56 days to 5 months. Though the processing time can vary based on factors such as the stream you’re applying under the completeness of your application, whether a skills assessment is required, and the time taken for health and character checks. 

The basic application charges for the Subclass 482 visa vary by stream. As per the Department of Home Affairs, for the Short-Term Stream, the base application fee is AUD 1,495.00. Both the Labour Agreement Stream and the Medium-Term Stream have a higher application fee of AUD 3,115.00 each. 

An authorised Australian business or organisation with a valid sponsorship license can sponsor you for a Subclass 482 visa. Employers must prove that they are unable to recruit an appropriate Australian worker for the role while still meeting other criteria such as training requirements and providing fair working conditions. 

Yes, you can change sponsors while holding a Subclass 482 visa. A visa holder cannot start working for a different employer until the new employer has a new approved nomination. The new employer must be an approved sponsor, and you need to notify Department of Home Affairs for the change. 

You can transition from a Subclass 482 visa to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 visa, if you meet the eligibility requirements. If you hold a Medium-Term stream visa, you can apply for permanent residency after 2 years of full-time employment with the same sponsor. Additionally, you must demonstrate at least competent English proficiency and be under 45 years of age at the time of your application for permanent residency. 

Yes, you can add immediate family members (spouse or de facto partner) and dependent children in your 482-visa application. Family members on your visa may study, live, and work in Australia while your visa is valid.