Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa

Overview

The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers when they cannot find suitable local talent. It helps address genuine skill shortages across key sectors.

This visa permits the holder to live and work in Australia temporarily, with options to apply for permanent residency through various pathways including Subclass 186.

Key Features

Employer-sponsored visa
Valid for 2–4 years, depending on stream
Option to transition to PR via the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
Include family members
Work only for the sponsoring employer in the approved occupation

Visa Streams

1. Short-Term Stream

For occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
Maximum stay of 2 years (or 4 years if an international trade obligation applies)
One onshore renewal allowed
No direct PR pathway under standard eligibility

2. Medium-Term Stream

For occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Stay up to 4 years
Eligible to apply for PR after 2–3 years via Subclass 186
Renewable onshore

3. Labour Agreement Stream

For employers with a labour agreement with the Australian Government
Occupation and stream conditions negotiated case-by-case
Often used in niche industries or regional workforce shortages
May offer a pathway to PR

Eligibility – Applicant Requirements

To apply for the 482 visa, applicants must:

Have skills and qualifications matched to a nominated occupation on the relevant list
Have at least 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation
Be nominated by an approved employer
Meet English language requirements:
- Short-term stream: IELTS 5 overall (min 4.5 in each band) or equivalent
- Medium-term stream: IELTS 5 overall (min 5 in each band) or equivalent
Meet health and character requirements
Hold relevant licensing or registration (if required for the role)
Have adequate health insurance

Eligibility – Employer Requirements

Sponsoring employers must:

Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
(Apply or check status)
Prove there is a genuine skill shortage
Nominate an eligible occupation from the relevant skilled list
Pay the market salary rate
Not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices
Commit to training Australian workers
Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy

Visa Process – Step-by-Step

Employer becomes a Standard Business Sponsor (if not already)
Nominate position (occupation, salary, location)
Labour Market Testing (LMT) (unless exempt)
Employer lodges nomination application
Applicant gathers documents (experience, skills, English test)
Applicant lodges visa application
Wait for assessment and visa outcome

Note: Nomination and visa can be lodged concurrently.

Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Employers must show evidence they advertised the role in Australia (e.g., Seek, LinkedIn) and could not find a suitable Australian candidate.
LMT is required unless international agreements apply.

Learn more: LMT Guidelines

Occupation Lists

Use these to determine your eligibility and stream.

Visa Conditions

Condition 8607: You must only work in your nominated occupation for your sponsor
Condition 8501: Must maintain adequate health insurance
No work rights for accompanying secondary visa holders unless listed

Duration

Stream	Duration
Short-Term	Up to 2 years (renewable once onshore)
Medium-Term	Up to 4 years
Labour Agreement	Up to 4 years (depending on agreement)

Costs

Applicant Category	Fee (AUD)
Main applicant	1,455 (Short-Term) / 3,035 (Medium/Long-Term)
Adult dependent	1,455 (Short-Term) / 3,035 (Medium/Long-Term)
Child dependent	365 (Short-Term) / 760 (Medium/Long-Term)

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy
Paid by employer:

AUD 1,200 per year for businesses with turnover <10 million
AUD 1,800 per year for businesses with turnover >10 million

Processing Time

Stream	25%	50%	75%	90%
Short-Term	14 days	28 days	42 days	4 months
Medium-Term	21 days	35 days	56 days	6 months
Labour Agreement	Varies case-by-case

Times can fluctuate based on demand, completeness of application, and security checks.

Transition to Permanent Residency

Many 482 holders can apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 186 ENS visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) after working in the role for a minimum of 2 to 3 years, depending on the stream and whether transitional arrangements apply.

Family Members

You can include family members (partner and dependent children) in your application. They will have the same visa duration and rights (schooling, Medicare eligibility depending on state).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change employers while on a 482 visa?
Yes, but the new employer must lodge a new nomination for you. You cannot start work for them until the new nomination is approved.

Can I apply for another visa while on 482?
Yes, you may be eligible to apply for PR via 186, or transition to other visas like 491/190 depending on your situation.

Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit to apply for the 482 visa, but age restrictions apply for PR pathways like Subclass 186.

Can I work part-time?
You must work full-time in the nominated occupation, unless specified otherwise in your employment contract and nomination.

Official Links & Resources

Summary

The Subclass 482 visa is a critical component of Australia's employer-sponsored migration program. With multiple streams and evolving policies, it provides skilled workers with a practical way to contribute to the workforce and eventually settle in Australia long-term.

Tags: `482 visa`, `TSS visa`, `temporary skill shortage`, `sponsored visa`, `employer sponsored`, `ENS pathway`, `PR via 186`, `STSOL`, `MLTSSL`, `labour agreement`