Australian Immigration & Visa Services

The Subclass 482 TSS visa allows skilled overseas workers, who have been sponsored by an eligible Australian business to live and work in Australia on a specified temporary basis, generally between 1 to 4 years.

There are two main lists under this visa, namely the Short-term Skilled Occupation list (STSSOL), which is a 2 year visa with an option for a 2 year renewal, and no pathway to permanent residence, and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) which is a 4 year visa, that can lead to permanent residence in the future. There is also a Regional Occupation List (ROL) available.

The nominated position and skill level must meet legislative requirements and the primary visa applicant must have the requisite skill and/or work experience to undertake the nominated occupation. The primary visa applicant must meet English language standards and pass health and character checks. Eligible dependent family members may be included in the Subclass 482 visa application.

The sponsoring employer must have a valid Standard Business Sponsorship agreement in place in order to nominate an overseas worker for a Subclass 482 visa (see Standard Business Sponsorship Agreements).

The Standard Business Sponsorship Agreement is the most common way for companies and businesses to sponsor a skilled worker under the 457 visa program. Company requirements to become an approved sponsor include:

• That the business is lawfully operating
• There is no adverse information about business or any of its directors
• Meets the department’s training requirements (Australian businesses only).

Companies based in Australia must demonstrate their commitment to employing local labour and a strong record of non-discriminatory work practices.

Eligible companies outside of Australia may apply for Standard Business Sponsorship where they business employs a skilled worker to either:

• Establish, or help to establish, a business operation in Australia
• Fulfil contractual obligations in Australia

The ENS Subclass 186 visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. It is open to workers located outside Australia or skilled temporary residents who live and work in Australia. Eligible dependent family members may be included in the Subclass 186 visa application. There are three entry streams:

• Temporary Residence Transition: For Subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for two years with their nominating employer in the nominated occupation.
• Direct Entry: For people outside of Australia or those in Australia, who do not hold a Subclass 457 visa, or have only briefly worked in the Australian labour market.
• Agreement: For people sponsored by their employer through a labour or regional migration agreement.

Common visa criteria for all streams are:

• The nominee must have been nominated by an approved Australian employer within the six months before applying.
• The nominee must be under the age of 50 at the time of application.
• All skill, licencing and registration requirements must be met at the time of lodgement.
• The nominee must have the required skills and qualifications for the position
• English language skills must be satisfied (at the time of application lodgement).
• The nominee must pass health and character assessments.

The RSMS Subclass 187 visa is aimed at assisting the economic development of regional Australia by attracting skilled migrants to fill long-term employment vacancies in regions where local Australian applicants are not available. The visa is open to overseas workers or skilled temporary residents who live and work in Australia. Eligible dependent family members may be included in the Subclass 187 visa application.

The visa has three entry streams:

• Temporary Residence Transition: For Subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for two years with their nominating employer in the nominated occupation.
• Direct Entry: For people outside Australia or those in Australia, who do not hold a Subclass 457 visa, or have only briefly worked in the Australian labour market.
• Agreement: For people sponsored by their employer through a labour or regional migration agreement.

Common visa criteria for all streams are:

• The nominee must have been nominated by an approved Australian employer within the six months before applying.
• The nominee must be under the age of 50 at the time of application.
• All skill, licencing and registration requirements must be met at the time of lodgement.
• The nominee must have the required skills and qualifications for the position.
• English language skills must be satisfied (at the time of application lodgement).
• The nominee must pass health and character assessments.