From 25 November 2023, TSS (subclass 482) visa holders will have an easier pathway to Australian permanent residency (PR).
It’s the news we have all been waiting for. The Government has finally locked in a date for the major PR pathway changes it announced earlier this year.
From 25th November 2023, it will be much easier for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa holders to secure Australian permanent residency.
Please note, the commencement date is subject to the approval of regulation changes.
These changes will bring greater clarity and more options for both employers and TSS 482 visa holders, ensuring Australia continues to attract and keep highly skilled workers.
Here’s a breakdown of the key changes which will apply to those who have a TSS 482 visa on or after November 2023:
• You can renew your 482 visa indefinitely, regardless of whether you’re working in a short or medium-term occupation. There is no limit to the number of applications you can make onshore.
• To apply for the subclass 186 visa via the temporary residence transition (TRT) stream, you must have held your TSS 482 visa for at least 2 out of the last 3 years with the same employer before nomination.
• Nominated occupations will no longer be assessed against skilled migration occupation lists for the 186 TRT stream but they need to be included in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) list of occupations.
• For people over 45, additional age exemptions will be available for regional medical practitioners or high-income earners looking to apply for permanent residency.
• Applicants for the 186 TRT visa still need an equivalent English IELTS score of at least 6 in each component.
Although these changes expand PR pathways for temporary skilled workers, overall migration planning level numbers have not been changed.
Why now?
Many temporary skilled visa holders in Australia face limited options for achieving permanent residency, resulting in a growing number of individuals who remain in a state of being ‘permanently temporary’ visa holders.
These changes represent an initial effort to create a fairer pathway to permanent residency for all TSS visa holders. Meanwhile, the Government is actively working on broader reforms to the skilled visa programs, building upon the development of the Migration Strategy Outline and in response to the findings of the 2023 Migration System Review.
Why apply for PR?
There are many benefits associated with Australian permanent residency, including easier access to Government services and educational opportunities, a pathway to citizenship and fewer constraints when it comes to property ownership.
If Australian PR is available to you, we highly recommend you go ahead and apply.
Are you eligible?
Our Registered Migration Agents can provide a free assessment to determine your eligibility under the new expanded PR pathway.