482 Visa: Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)

How long does the 482 visa last?

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa allows you to live and work in Australia on a temporary visa, for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years.

How many streams does the TSS visa have?

It has three streams: a short-term stream, a medium-term stream and a regional stream.

How can I apply for a 482 visa?

• As the 482 TSS visa applicant, you:
  • must show that you have sufficient work experience
  • have the qualifications and/or work experience to meet the Skill Level requirement of your occupation
  • need to demonstrate your English ability, unless exempt
  • need to obtain licensing or registration (if compulsory in your occupation)
  • are not restricted by an age limit
  • require police clearances
  • can apply for a 482 TSS visa as the holder of a Bridging Visa A, Bridging Visa B and Bridging Visa C (provided you have not had a visa refused whilst onshore on a bridging visa)

How can my employer sponsor me on a TSS visa?

• As a sponsor, your employer must:
  • hold Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval or be in the process of becoming an approved sponsor
  • nominate an occupation on one of the 482 visa shortage lists
  • meet caveats that apply to your occupation. A caveat may refer to a minimum company turnover, a minimum number of employees or a specific salary
  • meet the Labour Market Testing requirement, unless exempt
  • pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy when nominating you (the amount is based on company turnover and the number of years you’ll be nominated on the 482)
  • pay you at least $73,150 + super for a full time 38-hour week, unless a higher amount is a caveat requirement for your occupation

TSS visa occupation lists

Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

• You can be nominated for one or two years
• There is no limit to the number of applications you can make onshore and offshore
• You need to show that you are a genuine temporary entrant (this depends on the length of time in Australia, visas held, visa refusals and your likelihood to return home to your country of origin in the future)
• You need to score an overall 5.0 (minimum score of at least 4.5 in each test part) in the IELTS (or in an equivalent English test), unless exempt
• You pay a lower visa application charge than MLTSSL applicants

Previously, there was no PR pathway for 482 visa holders nominated in an STSOL occupation.

Recent changes mean there is now a pathway to PR after two years on the 482 visa, on any of the occupation lists.

• You will be eligible for permanent residency when the following applies:
  • You have worked for the same sponsor, in the same occupation for two of the past three years on one or more 482 visas
  • You hold a score of at least 6.0 in all four parts of the IELTS (or in an equivalent English test), unless exempt
  • You have been paid at least the salary on your 482 nomination letter/s for the two years and if under $73,150 you must be offer this salary for the 186 TRT
  • You are under 45 years of age at the time of lodging your PR visa

Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

• You can be nominated for 1, 2, 3, or 4 years
• You can apply for further 482 visas without limit
• You need to score an overall 5.0 (minimum score of at 5.0 in each test part) in IELTS (or in an equivalent English test), unless exempt
• You pay a higher visa application charge than STSOL applicants
• You will be eligible for permanent residency when the following applies:
  • You have worked for the same sponsor, in the same occupation for two of the past three years on a 482 visa
  • You hold a score of at least 6.0 in all four parts of the IELTS (or in an equivalent English test), unless exempt
  • You have been paid at least the salary on your 482 nomination letter/s for the two years and if under $73,150 you must be offer this salary for the 186 TRT
  • You are under 45 years of age at the time of lodging your PR visa

Easier PR Pathways Introduced in November 2023

Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The ROL has the same eligibility requirements as the MLTSSL, apart from the fact that the sponsor and the nominated position must be in a regional postcode.

What are the Regional Occupation List postcodes?

Regional Occupation List postcodes are subject to change and can be found on the Department of Home Affair’s website.

Does the TSS occupation list change?

The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) makes changes to the TSS shortage list based on industry and economic factors. This includes adding or removing occupations from list. An occupation can also be moved from one list to another.

Can I link a new 482 nomination to a pending 482 visa?

A pending 482 visa cannot be linked to a new nomination. This means that if you lodge your 482 nomination and 482 visa together and the nomination is refused, your visa application needs to be withdrawn. The Government’s visa application charge is refundable if the visa is withdrawn.

If you were in Australia when you lodged your 482 visa and you now need to lodge another 482 application (both a visa and a new nomination), you (and your partner and children, if applicable) will need to pay the visa charges again, along with the subsequent temporary application charge of $700. Additionally, your sponsor will need to pay a new nomination fee and the SAF Levy.

Can I change occupation on a 482 visa?

If you hold a 482 TSS visa and you are nominated in a different occupation (either with your current sponsor or with a new sponsor), you will need a new nomination and a new visa.

In July 2024, changes to visa conditions were introduced to prevent worker exploitation and improve productivity. People on 482, 457 and 494 visas who cease working for their sponsor (due to the sponsor discontinuing their nomination) now have more time to find alternative employment or apply for a different visa. There is also greater flexibility in relation to the type of work people can do during this transition period.

Visa holders now have 180 days to find a new sponsor, apply for a new visa or leave Australia. Additionally, whilst in between sponsors, people can work for other employers in any job. During this period, visa holders are not required to work in the occupation that they were nominated in. This allows visa holders to continue to support themselves whilst making alternative arrangements. These changes apply to both new 482 applications and existing 482 visa holders.