If you’re in the process of researching your Australian work visa options, you’ve no doubt come across these two visa types.
The 482 temporary skill shortage (TSS) visa and the 186 visa are both employer-sponsored work visas. The main difference between these two visa subclasses is that the 186 visa is a permanent residency visa.
Under some circumstances, the 482 visa can provide a PR pathway, but it is initially a temporary work visa.
To help you weigh these two subclasses up, we’ve done a comparison.
482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa in GREEN
and
186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa in ORANGE.
Visa Type
Temporary residency.
Occupations on the MLTSSL may have a pathway to PR after three years of employment on the 482 for the same sponsor.
Occupation Lists
Must have an occupation on one of the four lists associated with this visa type:
- Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- Medium and Long Term Skilled Occupation List (MLTSSL)
- Regional Occupations List (ROL)
- Labour Agreement Stream
Occupation must be on the Medium and Long Term Skilled Occupation List (MLTSSL).
Location of the position
Anywhere in Australia if the occupation is on the STSOL or MLTSSL. In a designated regional area if the occupation is on the ROL.
Anywhere in Australia.
Visa Length
Up to two years for STSOL roles. STSOL occupations can be nominated onshore for a second 482 visa, with a possible third visa (which must be lodged offshore).
Up to four years for MLTSSL and ROL roles. MLTSSL and ROL occupations can be re-sponsored without limitation.
Permanent residency visa with a pathway to citizenship.
The visa has a 5-year travel component which does expire and you may need a resident return visa if you leave Australia after this period and haven’t already obtained citizenship.
Sponsor Eligibility
Must be nominated by an Australian business (an approved sponsor).
Must be nominated by an Australian business (an approved sponsor).
Skills
Must have the necessary skills, experience and qualifications to meet the ANZSCO requirements associated with the position. This varies by skill level of the occupation. Regardless of your occupation, you must have two years of full time work experience, in the five years prior to the application being decided.
TRT: Sponsorship for the requirement period on the 482 visa meets the skill requirement.
DE: Must meet the requirements of the relevant skill assessment authority and have three years of full time and paid work experience at the skilled visa (post-qualification).
Age
No age limit.
Must be aged 45 or under at the time of application (rare exceptions).
Health and character requirements
Must meet character requirements.
May need to meet health requirements (depending on occupation).
Must meet health and character requirements.
TRT: Health Waiver provision.
DE: No health waiver.
Skill assessment
Only required for specific occupations for applicants holding specific passports (see below).
TRT: Skill assessment not required.
DE: Skill assessment required, in addition to three years of full time and paid work experience at the skilled visa (post-qualification).
Labour Market Testing (LMT)
28 days of approved advertising required, unless exempt.
Not required.
Caveats
Apply to specific occupations
TRT: Do not apply
DE: Apply to specific occupations
Licensing and Registration (if Required)
If licencing or registration is compulsory in your occupation, you have 90 days from the date of visa grant to arrange this.
If required in your occupation, it must be held at time of application. Some occupations are listed as “may require licencing or registration” as it can vary by state.
Tip: if your visa is about to expiry and you have not obtained the relevant licence or registration, you may need to apply for a 482 visa to buy yourself some time. For some trade occupations, such as a Plumber in NSW, this can be a lengthy process
Medicare
If you’re from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement, you may be covered by Medicare.
If not, it is a condition that you hold the relevant Overseas Visitors Cover for the duration of your visa.
TRT: Covered by Medicare from the day you apply.
DE: Covered by Medicare from the day of visa grant.
Processing Times (*these change frequently)
STSOL: 42-48 days
MLTSSL and ROL: 42-92 days
TRT: 4 to 7 months
DE: 61 days to 82 days
Skilling Australia Fund (SAF) Levy
SAF levy of $1,200 for each year of the visa (if company turnover was less than $10million in the last 12 months) OR $1,800 for each year of the visa (if company turnover was greater than $10million in the last 12 months).
This is payable in full (for all years of the visa) at the time the nomination is lodged.
Payable by the employer sponsor.
SAF levy of $3,000 (if turnover was less than $10million in the last financial year) OR $5,000 (if turnover was greater than $10million in the last financial year) payable by the sponsor .
This is payable in full (for all years of the visa) at the time the nomination is lodged.
Payable by the employer sponsor
Government Fees
STSOL
Applications for occupations on the STSOL attract a lower visa application fee as the visa can only be granted for a maximum of two years.
Sponsorship application fee of $420 – payable by the sponsor.
Position nomination fee of $330 – payable by the sponsor.
Visa application fee can be paid by the sponsor or applicant of $1,265 for the main applicant, $1,265 for the dependent partner and $320 for each child aged under 18.
Subsequent temporary visa application fee of $700 per applicant payable if the applicant has previously lodged certain temporary visas whilst in Australia, such as a second 417 or a second student visa.
MLTSSL and ROL
MLTSSL and ROL occupations have a higher VAC as you get a four year visa.
Sponsorship fee of $420 – payable by the sponsor.
Position nomination fee of $330 – payable by the sponsor.
Visa application fee of $2,645 for you, $2,645 for your dependent partner and $660 for each child aged under 18.
Subsequent temporary visa application fee of $700 per applicant if you have lodged certain temporary visas whilst in Australia, such as a second 417 visa or student visa.
Employer nomination fee of $540.
TRT: Exempt if employer is located in a designated regional area.
DE: Payable by all employers.
Visa application fees are the same for TRT and DE applicants and can be paid by the sponsor or applicant.
Visa application fee of $4,045 for you, $2,025 for your partner (and any child aged 18 or over) and $1,010 for each child under 18 years.
Including Partners and Children
Partner and children can be included.
You can include a partner and kids in your application. You must be married or have lived together for six months. You cannot waive the six months of living together through relationship registration.
If your partner and kids are not included in the original application, they will need to apply as subsequent entrants.
If your partner holds a 457 visa, you can still apply as a 482 subsequent entrant; you will be granted the same amount of time as they have left on their visa.
For example, if your partner holds a 457 visa from 1 Dec 2017 – 1 Dec 2021, you can apply as a 482 subsequent entrant. If your visa is granted, it would be valid to 1 Dec 2021.
Partner and children can be included.
You can include a partner and kids in your application at the time of applying or during the process before a decision.
You must be married, have lived together for 12 months, or be living together and have registered your relationship with a relevant state.
If you’re transitioning from a temporary visa to PR and met your partner after your other visa was granted, that’s fine. They can be included in the 186 application provided they meet the dependent requirements.
If your 186 visa is granted and you then meet a partner, you would need to sponsor them on a partner visa (as you are now an Australian permanent resident).
English Requirements
The English requirement depends on the list that your occupation is on.
482 English test scores are required at the time of decision.
For STSOL occupations, you’ll need to achieve one of the following scores.
- IELTS:Average band score of 5.0 with a minimum score of at least 4.5 in each band
- PTE (Academic): Average band score of 36, with minimum of 30 in each band
- TOEFL iBT: Total band score of 35, with at least 3 in Listening and Reading and at least 12 in Speaking and Writing
- CAE Cambridge: Average band score of 154, with minimum of 147 in each band
If your nominated occupation is on the MLTSSL or ROL, the required English results are:
- IELTS: At least 5.0 in all four test parts
- PTE Pearson: Overall score of 36, with at least 36 in all four test parts
- TOEFL iBT: At least 4 in Listening and Reading and at least 14 in Speaking and Writing. Score of at least 35 overall
- OET: “B pass” for all four test parts
- CAE Cambridge: Overall score of 154, with at least 154 in all four test parts
If you’re applying through the Labour Agreement stream, you must have adequate English skills to perform your nominated role.
Partners of 482 visa holders do not need to meet English requirements.
EXEMPTIONS
Holding a passport from one of the following countries meets the English requirement; you won’t need to take a test:
- UK
- USA
- Ireland
- Canada
- NZ
You are also exempt if you have completed at least five years of full-time study in a secondary or higher education institution where instruction was conducted in English.
Requirements are slightly higher for the 186 visa as applicants require Competent English, regardless of the stream.
186 English test results are required at the time of applying, so it’s important you leave yourself enough time to take the test and obtain the results before your lodgement deadline.
- IELTS: A test score of at least 6 in each of the four test components
- PTE Academic: Test score of at least 50 in each of the four test components
- TOEFL iBT: A test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 18 for speaking, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 12 for listening
- OET: A test score of at least B in each of the four test components
- CAE Cambridge: Test score of at least 169 in each of the four test components
EXEMPTIONS
You are exempt if you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand.
Partners of 186 visa holder must show Functional English unless exempt.
The above passport holders are exempt, as well as dependent who meet the requirements below:
- A positive assessment by an Adult Migrant English Program service provider in Australia that you have functional English.
- Completion of all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.
- Completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.
- Successfully completed at least one year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma in an institution in Australia and all instructions were in English.
- Completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate that required at least two years of full-time study or training in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.
If they are not exempt, partners (and dependents aged 16 or over) will need to sit one of the tests and reach the following scores:
- IELTS – average 4.5
- TOEFL iBT – average 8
- PTE Academic – average 30
- Cambridge (CAE) – average 147
Skill level requirements for 482 visa and 186 visa
The skill level requirements for each visa subclass depend on the occupation you’re being nominated in.
The following information is based on the definition by ANZSCO (The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations).
The skill level determines what you need to show in order to meet the entry level for the 482 visa.
Skill level 1
hold a relevant Bachelor degree plus two years of relevant work experience OR have at least five years of full-time relevant employment
Skill level 2
hold a relevant Diploma plus two years of relevant work experience OR have at least three years of full-time relevant employment
Skill level 3
hold a relevant trade qualification (equivalent to an Australian Certificate III) plus two years of relevant work experience OR have at least three years of full-time relevant employment
It is always best to contact a migration agent to see what your nominated occupation will be and what skill level you need to be able to show. There is no point applying if you don’t qualify or meet the skill level required for a particular role.
Also, the job title you’re applying for may not appear on an occupation list; however, it may be a subset or there may be an alternative title that you fall under. Occupations are known by different names in different countries. For example, a ‘Millwright’ is classified a ‘Machinist’ in Australia. Don’t just scan the occupation lists and presume you’re not eligible.
If you are applying as a 186 Direct Entry applicant, you need to be especially careful as you also have to meet the requirements of the skill authority for your occupation. This may differ from the 186 visa requirements.
For example, carpenters are on the MLTSSL. A carpenter with three years of full time work experience and no qualifications is eligible for a 482 visa; however the same carpenter – if they wanted to apply for a skill assessment for a 186 DE application – would need five years of work experience to pass the skill assessment. Conversely, a civil engineer can obtain a positive skill assessment purely based on their Bachelor degree (with no work experience), but would not be eligible for either a 482 or a 186 DE, without the required skilled work experience.
It’s highly confusing and if you’ve never attempted to navigate the Australian visa system before, it’s very easy to wrongly assess your own eligibility. Imagine how hard you’ll be kicking yourself if you abandon your Australian dream, only to find out later that you were in fact eligible for a visa.
Another important thing to note is that occupations can be moved between lists with no notice. One day your occupation could be on the MLTSSL and you might have a pathway to PR, the next it could be moved to the STSOL. If you’re eligible for a particular visa type and ready to lodge, it’s never advisable to hesitate.
Skill assessments
In most cases, 482 skill assessments are only compulsory for some occupations and nationalities. People are often surprised to learn this.
However, people nominated as Program and Project Administration or Specialist Manager– of any nationality – must be assessed through Vetassess. Please note, the Department can request a skill assessment for any occupation – however, we have managed 1000s of cases and have never had a non-mandatory one requested.
For a 482 visa, the skill assessment process must have started at the time of application and it must be issued by the time of decision.
482 TSS visa to PR
Every year, thousands of people move from temporary work visas to permanent residency visas.
482 visa holders in occupations on the MLTSSL have a pathway to Australian permanent residency via the 186 temporary residence transition (TRT) stream. You must work for your sponsor on a 482 visa for three years. You cannot count work on other visas (such as your working holiday or student visa) and you cannot count unpaid leave. You need to be under 45 at the time of applying for the 186 and have competent English.
There is also a ‘direct entry’ for the 186 visa. This requires you to have a positive skill assessment at the time of applying, as well as three years’ post-qualification work experience. You must also meet the other requirements outlined above.
With a direct entry visa, you won’t need to work for your employer for three years on the 482 visa before transitioning. You can enjoy all the perks of Australian permanent residency immediately.
Grandfathering arrangements for 457 visa holders
The 457 visa program ended a few years ago; however, there are still thousands of people in Australia who applied before the scheme closed and still have valid visas. Special grandfathering arrangements are in place to provide eligible 457 holders a pathway to permanent residency via TRT.
We hope this blog was useful in helping you to weigh up your options. For a tailored assessment with one of our highly experienced Registered Migration Agents, contact us today.