482 Visa
This temporary visa permits the holder to live in Australia while working full-time for the sponsoring employer in a nominated occupation listed on the Short Skilled List or Medium Long-Term Skilled List, supporting employer sponsored visas Australia. The TSS Visa (Temporary Skill Shortage) Subclass 482 assists Australian businesses that experience genuine skill shortages and cannot find Australian workers to fill vacant positions. Take a closer look at the 187 Visa because it could be your pathway to permanent residency and all the opportunities Australia offers. 
The Subclass 482 Visa (TSS) Three Different Streams
- Short-Term Stream – up to two years
- Medium-Term Stream – up to four years
- Labour Agreement Stream
TSS Visa Holders Opportunities
- Live and work in Australia for up to four years
- Study in Australia
- Include immediate family on their 482 visa
- Transition to permanent residency (if eligible)
Eligibility
You might be eligible to apply for the TSS Visa if an Australian employer is willing to sponsor you and meet the following requirements.
Occupation
TSS Visa applicants must be qualified or have sufficient experience in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list. There are three lists relevant to the 482 Visa.
- Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
- Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
Sponsorship Requirements
You must be nominated by a Standard Business Sponsor or a business that has applied for a Standard Business Sponsorship. Your employer must also lodge a nomination application.
Work Experience
- Applicants must have at least 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation or another relevant role.
- Applicants must gain this experience within the previous 5 years before applying. Part-time work may be considered. Casual work will not be considered.
- Depending on the nominated occupation and the applicant’s country of origin, a skill assessment may be required before applying for the TSS visa. Some assessing authorities require more than 2 years of experience to complete the assessment.
Skill Assessment
Some primary TSS visa applicants must undergo a mandatory skills assessment to be eligible to apply for this visa.
Age Requirements
There is no age limit for the TSS (Subclass 482) Visa
Health Insurance
- 482 visa holders must maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia.
- Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia and may not need health insurance.
Move to Australia with the Temporary Skill Shortage TSS Visa
For people interested in moving to Australia to work and start a new life for their family, acquiring the right visa is invariably one of the most important stages in the journey. Unfortunately, it can also often prove to be one of the most difficult, confusing, and stressful parts of the move. But if you are in the process of applying for a 482 Visa or any of the other visas available for moving to Australia, you can take comfort in the knowledge that the process does not have to be as complicated as you may have previously feared. In fact, with the help of a migration specialist, you can be sure that you will stand the best chance of having your application accepted with minimal hassle or expense on your part. Once you have received your Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, you will be able to live and work in Australia on a temporary basis in order to use your skills and experience to help fill a gap in the Australian labour market. You can then stay in Australia on the temporary skilled visa for either 2 or 4 years, depending on the stream, after which time you may be able to renew the Employer Sponsored Visa 482 or apply from a 482 visa to PR. After four years of living lawfully in Australia as a permanent resident, you may become eligible to apply for citizenship.
How Can We Help with Your 482 TSS Visa?
All of our migration agents are fully registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority, and our approach is all about spending the time to gain a full understanding of each client’s individual circumstances so as to be able to offer personalised advice that is perfectly tailored to their specific needs and preferences. With expert help on everything from deciding whether the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa is right for you to correctly completing all the paperwork so that you can sponsor your family members to join you in Australia without any hassle, you can be confident that we will make the whole move as smooth and effortless as possible. Feel free to get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your requirements.
Short-Term Stream
The short-term TSS (Subclass 482) Visa stream allows applicants to stay for up to 2 years or up to 4 if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.
General
- Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in the relevant field
- Occupation must be listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
- Applicants must meet genuine temporary entrant requirement
- This visa does not provide a transitional pathway to Permanent Residency
- Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer
English
The primary applicant for the TSS Visa must meet the minimum English requirement. You will need to take an English test unless one of the following applies:
- You are a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, the UK, USA, or NZ
- You have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in at least a secondary-level institution where the medium of instruction was English.
If you need to take an English test, you can take one of the below tests:
| Test | Required results |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components. |
| OET | Score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 3 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 12 for each of the test components of speaking and writing |
| PTE Academic | Academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 30 in each of the test components |
| Cambridge | Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 147 in each of the test components. |
Stay Period
Short-Term TSS Visa holders can stay in Australia for:
- Two years in most cases
- Four years if an ITO applies, but the maximum length will depend on the actual ITO relevant to your circumstances
- Five years if you are a Hong Kong passport holder
Extending your stay
If your Short-term 482 (TSS) visa is expiring soon and you would like to continue working for your employer, you may be eligible to renew your visa for another 2 years. If you are already on your second 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, you cannot renew. Generally, if your occupation is listed on the STSOL, you will have limited permanent visa options, however, you may find a pathway to permanent residency through one of the below subclasses:
- 190 visa (State Nominated)
- 491 visa (Regional Sponsored)
- 494 visa (Employer-Sponsored Regional)
Medium / Long-Term Stream
The medium-term TSS (Subclass 482) Visa stream allows applicants to stay for up to 4 years, with the option to apply for another TSS Visa or Permanent Residency.
General Requirements
- Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years work experience in the relevant field
- Occupation must be on Medium Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (For non-regional applications)
- Applicants don’t need to meet genuine temporary entrant requirement
- Applicants have a transitional pathway to Permanent Residency after 3 years
- Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer
English Language
The primary applicant for the TSS Visa must meet the minimum English requirement. You will need to take an English test unless one of the following applies:
- You are a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, the UK, the USA, or NZ
- You have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in at least a secondary-level institution where the medium of instruction was English
If you need to take an English test, you can take one of the below tests:
| Test | Required results |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 5 in each of the test components. |
| OET | Score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components |
| TOEFL iBT | iBT total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 4 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 14 for each of the test components of speaking and writing |
| PTE Academic | Academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 36 in each of the test components |
| Cambridge | Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 154 in each of the test components. |
Stay Period
Medium-term TSS Visa holders can stay in Australia for up to 4 years.
Extending Your Stay
If your Medium-term 482 (TSS) visa is expiring soon and you would like to continue working for your employer:
- your employer will need to submit a new nomination
- you can apply for a new 482 TSS visa
You may also be eligible to apply for one of the below permanent visas if your occupation is listed on the Medium Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL):
- 189 visa
- 190 visa
- 187 visa (RSMS visa)
- 186 visa (ENS visa)
TSS Visa holders under the medium-term stream may also be eligible to apply for a 186 Visa or 187 Visa through the Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement TSS Visa stream allows applicants to stay for up to 4 years and may have the option to apply for another TSS Visa or Permanent Residency. This TSS stream may be utilised in exceptional circumstances where a business can demonstrate a need that cannot be met by Australian workers and standard visa programs are not available. These agreements are negotiated between an employer and the Department to enable an employer to recruit overseas workers that may have a:
- Specified age
- Specified Occupation
- Skill level
- English language
- Salary
General
Applicants may have a transitional pathway to Permanent Residency, depending on their employer’s labour agreement terms. Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer.
English
Applicants must meet the English level specified in their employer’s labour agreement.
Stay Period
Labour Agreement TSS Visa holders can stay in Australia for up to 4 years.
Extending your stay
If your Labour Agreement 482 (TSS) visa is expiring soon and you would like to continue working for your employer:
- your employer will need to submit a new nomination
- you can apply for a new 482 TSS visa
- You may also be eligible to apply for one of the below permanent visas, depending on the terms of your employer’s Labour Agreement (The employer will need to hold a valid labour agreement when offering permanent sponsorship):
- 187 visa (RSMS visa)
- 186 visa (ENS visa)
Including Family
You can include your family in your 482 Visa Application. Subclass 482 (TSS) Visa applicants can add family members to their application before lodgement or after approval. To be eligible to include family members, applicants must meet the below criteria:
- Your employer agrees to extend the sponsorship
- Your family members meet the eligibility criteria
TSS visa holders and applicants may be able to include the below family members in their application as secondary applicants:
- Partner
- Dependent child
- Partner’s dependent child
Family members must meet the health and character requirements. TSS Visa secondary applicants can enter and remain in Australia for the duration of the main applicant’s TSS Visa (Subclass 482). Secondary applicants can live, work, and study while residing in Australia. Family members can be included at the time of the 482 visa application or after the visa has been approved.
Permanent Visas
Permanent Employer-nominated visas allow skilled overseas workers to live and work in Australia permanently based on the job offer from an Australian employer. The permanent Subclass 186 (ENS) and Subclass 187 (RSMS) visas allow skilled overseas workers to permanently live and work in Australia. The Subclass 186 visa and 187 Visas have three streams:
- DIRECT ENTRY STREAM: For applicants who are formally qualified or have sufficient experience in an eligible occupation and location.
- TRANSITIONAL STREAM: For 457 or TSS 482 visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for at least two or three years.
- AGREEMENT STREAM: For applicants sponsored by an employer under a labour agreement.
Subclass 186 Visa (Ens)
This is a permanent visa for skilled foreign workers who have a nominating employer in Australia. Applicants can be in or outside Australia when they apply for this visa.
Direct Entry Stream (De)
- Applicants must have an occupation listed on the MLTSSL
- An Australian employer must nominate applicants
- Applicants must perform a Skill Assessment through the authorised assessing authority.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRT)
- Applicants must hold a 457 or 482 TSS Visa
- An Australian Employer must nominate applicants
- Applicants may not need to perform a Skill Assessment
186 Visa (Employer Nominated Scheme) Overview
The Subclass 186 Visa has three streams:
- Direct Entry Stream
- For applicants who are qualified or have sufficient experience in an eligible occupation. See the Direct Entry Stream tab for specific requirements.
- Transition Stream
- For 457 or 482 TSS Visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for a minimum of two or three years. See the Transition Steam tab for specific requirements.
- Agreement Stream
- For applicants who are sponsored by an employer under a labour agreement.
186 Visa Holders Opportunities
- Work in Australia indefinitely
- Study in Australia
- Travel to and from Australia for five years
- Enrol in Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible
186 Visa General Eligibility
You might be eligible to apply for the 186 Permanent Visa if you have an Australian employer who is willing to sponsor you and meet the following requirements:
Sponsor
A business in Australia must nominate you before lodging your visa.
Experience
Applicants must have at least three years of work experience in the nominated occupation. Part-time work may be considered. Casual work will not be considered.
Age
The age limit is 45 unless exempt. See exemptions in specific stream tabs.
Employer Nomination
An Australian employer must nominate applicants before applying for this visa and apply within six months of the nomination being approved if the applications aren’t lodged together. The visa cannot be granted if:
- the nomination is withdrawn, or
- the position is no longer available
Length of Stay
This is a permanent visa. However, the 186 visa has a travel component that expires five years after the visa grant date. After this time, applicants can apply for one of the following:
- Australian Citizenship
- Resident Return Visa
DIRECT ENTRY STREAM
You may be able to apply for Permanent Residency through the Direct Entry Stream if you meet the following requirements:
Experience
You must have at least three years of relevant work Experience.
English
The primary applicant for the 186 Visa must have Competent English. You must take an English test unless you are a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, the UK, the USA, or NZ. If you need to take an English test, you can take one of the below tests:
| Test | Required score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
| TOEFL iBT | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
| PTE Academic | At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
| OET | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge | At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
Age
You must be under 45 years of age when you apply for this visa. You may be older than 45 years if you are;
- You are nominated as an academic by an Australian University.
- You are nominated as a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist by a Scientific Government Agency.
- You hold a New Zealand Subclass 444 or 461 Visa and have been working for your nominated employer for two years.
Health & Character
Meet the health and character requirements (Unless you are exempt). This requires police and medical checks.
Nomination
You must be nominated by an Australian employer and apply for the 186 visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved (If the visa and nomination applications were not lodged at the same time) The visa will not be granted if the nomination is withdrawn. The Department does not link new nominations to existing visa applications.
TRANSITION STREAM
You may be able to apply for Permanent Residency through the Transition Stream if you meet the following requirements:
Current Visa
You must hold one of the below visas to apply for the 186 Visa through the Transition Stream:
- 457 Visa
- 482 Visa
Experience
You must have been working full-time for your employer on your subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa for at least 3 years. Unless you held (or had applied for) a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017, then you only need to have been working for your employer for at least 2 years.
COVID Update
If you were temporarily stood down, had to take unpaid leave, or had your hours reduced due to COVID-19, this time can still be counted towards the time worked for your employer.
English
The primary applicant for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa must have Competent English. An English test is mandatory unless you are a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, the UK, the USA, or New Zealand. If you need to take an English test, you can take one of the below tests:
| Test | Required score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
| TOEFL iBT | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
| PTE Academic | At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
| OET | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge | At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
Age
You must be under 45 years of age when you apply for this visa. You may be older than 45 years if you are;
- you held (or had applied for) a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017. In this case, you can apply up to 50 years of age
- you are nominated as an academic by an Australian University
- you are nominated as a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist by a Scientific Government Agency
- you are a medical practitioner who has worked in your position for at least 3 years as a 457 or 482 visa holder, and 2 of those years were in a regional area.
- you have been working for your employer for 3 years on a 457 or 482 visa and you were earning at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold for each year of that period
Health & Character Meet the health and character requirements (Unless you are exempt). This requires police and medical checks. Nomination You must be nominated by an Australian employer and apply for the 186 visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved (If the visa and nomination applications were not lodged at the same time). The visa will not be granted if the nomination is withdrawn. The Department does not link new nominations to existing visa applications.
INCLUDING YOUR FAMILY
Include your family in your 186 Visa. 186 visa holders may be able to include the below family members in their application:
- Dependent children/step-children
- Partner’s dependent child or children
- Partner
Partners
Your married or de facto partner can be the same or opposite sex. Applicants must prove:
- the relationship is genuine and continuing
- you live together or do not live separately on a permanent basis.
- your partner is at least 18 years of age when the application is lodged (there are some exceptions)
- you are not related by family (if you are in a de facto relationship)
- you and your partner have a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others
Children
To be eligible to be included or added to a 186 visa, a child must:
- Be your child or a stepchild from a current or a previous relationship (in certain circumstances);
- not be married, engaged to be married, or have a de facto partner; and must be:
- under 18 years of age, or
- over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and be dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 years of age and be unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and be dependent on you or your partner (Note: The child will still need to meet Australia’s health requirement), or
- a dependent child of a child who is eligible under 1, 2, or 3 above.
English
Applicants over 18 must demonstrate Functional English. However, you can pay an additional application fee to the department for family members with less than functional English.
Age
Children 23 years and over cannot be included in your application. (Unless there are exceptional circumstances)
Health & Character
All family members must meet the health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances. If you already hold a permanent 186 (ENS) Visa and would like to bring your family to Australia, you must apply for one of the family visas.
SUBCLASS 187 VISA (RSMS)
This is a permanent visa for skilled foreign workers who have a nominating employer in a regional area of Australia. Applicants can be in or outside Australia when they apply for this visa.
DIRECT ENTRY STREAM (DE)
This stream is now closed to new applications
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE TRANSITION STREAM (TRT)
- Applicants must hold a 457 or 482 TSS Visa
- Applicants must be nominated by an Australian Employer
- Applicants may not need to perform a Skill Assessment
The Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (RSMS) Subclass 187 Visa is a popular option for skilled foreign workers who wish to obtain permanent residency in Australia. This visa is specifically designed for individuals who have a nominating employer in a regional or low-population growth area of the country. With the 187 Visa, applicants have the opportunity to work and live in Australia indefinitely, study, and even apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
Understanding the 187 Visa
The 187 Visa is a permanent visa that grants skilled overseas workers the ability to live and work in a regional area of Australia. There are two streams under this visa category: the Direct Entry Stream and the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream. However, as of November 2019, the Direct Entry Stream has been replaced by the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) – Subclass 494 Visa. Applicants can still apply for the 187 Visa through the Transition Stream.
Direct Entry Stream
The Direct Entry Stream was a pathway for individuals who did not hold a 457 Visa or a TSS Visa. However, with the introduction of the Subclass 494 Visa, this stream is no longer accepting applications. If you are eligible for the Direct Entry Stream, it is recommended to explore the new visa options available.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRT)
The Temporary Residence Transition Stream is designed for individuals who hold a 457 Visa or a TSS Visa and have worked for their nominating employer for a minimum of two or three years. To be eligible for this stream, applicants must agree to remain employed with their nominating employer in a regional area of Australia for a minimum of two years after their 187 Visa approval. This stream provides a pathway for individuals to transition from temporary to permanent residency.
Eligibility Requirements for the 187 Visa
To be eligible for the 187 Visa, applicants must meet certain criteria. These include:
Work Experience
Applicants must have been working for their employer for a minimum of two or three years, depending on their visa type (457 or TSS Visa).
English Proficiency
Applicants must provide evidence of competent English, which can be demonstrated through various means such as a valid passport from English-speaking countries or achieving specified scores in English language tests.
Age
Applicants must be under 45 years of age unless they qualify for age exemptions.
Health and Character
All applicants must meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian government.
Nomination
Applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer and apply for the 187 Visa within six months of the nomination being approved. It is important to note that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee the approval of the visa application. Each application is assessed individually, and additional supporting documents may be required to strengthen the case.
Benefits of the 187 Visa
The 187 Visa offers numerous benefits to successful applicants, making it an attractive option for skilled workers looking to establish a permanent life in Australia. Some of the key benefits include:
Indefinite Work and Study
187 Visa holders have the right to work and study in Australia indefinitely, providing them with stability and opportunities for career growth and personal development.
Travel Flexibility
The visa allows for multiple entries and exits from Australia for a period of five years, providing visa holders with the freedom to travel as they please.
Pathway to Citizenship
After meeting certain eligibility requirements, 187 Visa holders have the opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship, granting them additional rights and privileges.
Sponsorship of Family Members
Successful applicants can sponsor their partner, dependent children, and their partner’s dependent children to join them in Australia, subject to meeting health and character requirements.
Access to Medicare
187 Visa holders are eligible to enroll in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, ensuring access to quality medical services.
Applying for the 187 Visa
Applying for the 187 Visa requires careful preparation and attention to detail. It is highly recommended to seek the guidance of a reputable migration specialist to ensure a smooth and successful application process. EZY Immigration is a trusted migration agency with over two decades of experience in assisting skilled individuals to achieve their dreams of living and working in Australia.
Partnering with EZY Immigration
EZY Immigration understands the vital role that overseas workers play in the Australian economy. With a team of registered migration agents, they provide professional migration services to guide applicants through the 187 Visa application process. Their knowledgeable team can assess eligibility, collect necessary documents, and provide expert advice to increase the chances of a successful outcome.
Additional Resources
The EZY Immigration website is a valuable resource for individuals considering the 187 Visa. It offers tools such as a free eligibility assessment, a skilled occupations list, and a visa finder to streamline the application process. If further assistance is required, individuals can schedule a consultation with one of their registered migration agents or explore the current job vacancies available in regional areas.
Conclusion
The 187 Visa is an excellent pathway for skilled foreign workers who aspire to live and work in regional areas of Australia. By meeting the eligibility requirements and successfully obtaining this visa, individuals can enjoy the benefits of permanent residency, including the ability to work and study indefinitely, travel freely, and potentially apply for Australian citizenship. With the guidance of a reputable migration agency like EZY Immigration, applicants can confidently navigate the application process and increase their chances of a successful outcome. Take the first step towards a new life in Australia by exploring the opportunities provided by the 187 Visa. Unlock your Australian dream today! Contact us now and connect with EZY Immigration’s experienced migration agents for personalized guidance on Employer Sponsored Visas. Let’s make your move to Australia smooth and successful.
