The Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa is a temporary visa that allows employees to work in Australia for a nominated employer on a full-time basis for up to four years.
The TSS (482 Visa) Visa replaced the 457 Visa in March 2018 and is now the most common way for companies to sponsor employees in Australia.
The purpose of the 482 TSS Visa is to fill the employment gaps in the Australian labour market for occupations that are currently unable to be filled by appropriately qualified and skilled Australian workers.
The types of occupations eligible for the TSS visa can be found on the lists below:
482 Visa Requirements
For PR Pathway , you must be 45 years old
Skill Assessment - Click here to find out more
Skill Assessment Authorities - Click here for more info
You will need to consider the usual pathways for finding employment, which could include:
The legislation imposes sanctions on a person who asks for, receives, offers or provides a benefit in return for a visa sponsorship or employment that requires visa sponsorship.
The aim is to:
The visa holder can have their visa cancelled.
Note: you cannot apply for this visa if you do not have an employer willing to sponsor and employ you in a full-time position. We cannot assist you in finding an employer as we are not a recruitment consultancy.
You are required to:
TSS nomination (position) requirements
In general, an employee is eligible for the TSS visa if they:
The nominated occupation must be on one of the following:
The nominated occupation must be:
Currently listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
The duration of the visa is:
Up to two years (or up to four years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO)
The base fee for the visa is:
For employees: from $1,330 AUD
For employers:
To be eligible for this visa, the employee must:
To be eligible to sponsor an employee, the employer must:
You can extend the visa if:
You may be able to apply for Permanent Residence if:
Your employer decides to sponsor you for either the:
You may be able to include family members if:
You can apply for this visa from:
The processing time for this visa is:
The nominated occupation must be:
Currently listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
The duration of the visa is:
Up to four years
The base fee for the visa is:
For Employees: from $2,770 AUD
For Employers:
To be eligible for this visa, employees must:
To be eligible to sponsor an employee, the employer must:
You can extend the visa if:
You may be able to apply for Permanent Residence if:
Your employer decides to sponsor you for either the:
You may be able to include family members if:
You can apply for this visa from:
The processing time for this visa is:
The 482 visa in itself is not a permanent visa. However if your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you could potentially look to apply for the 186 – employer sponsored. Other permanent visa options include the 190 or 491. Or if you are living and working in a regional area, you could consider the Subclass 494 employer sponsored visa.
Yes you can extend your 482 visa one time. After this you would need to look at different visa options.
Yes, 482 dependents over 18 would usually have full work rights.
The 482 visa can be granted for a maximum of 4 years (if your occupation is on the MLTSSL), or 2 years if your occupation is on the STSOL.
Yes you 100% need an employer to sponsor your visa.
The TSS visa is the most common employer sponsored work visa in Australia.
Yes you can include your spouse/de facto partner and dependent children. yes fees applies for each applicant
Your employer would first need to apply to become a standard business sponsor. Your employer would then need to nominate you for the position. You would then apply for the TSS Visa.
1 construction project manager
2 engineering manager
3 child care centre manager
4 nursing clinical director
5 primary health organisation manager
6 welfare centre manager
7 arts administrator or manager
8 environmental manager
9 dancer or choreographer
10 music director11 musician (instrumental)
12 artistic director
13 accountant (general)
14 management accountant
15 taxation accountant
16 external auditor
17 internal auditor
18 actuary
19 statistician
20 economist
21 land economist
22 valuer
23 management consultant
24 architect
25 landscape architect
26 surveyor
27 cartographer
28 other spatial scientist
29 chemical engineer
30 materials engineer
31 civil engineer
32 geotechnical engineer
33 quantity surveyor
34 structural engineer
35 transport engineer
36 electrical engineer
37 electronics engineer
38 industrial engineer
39 mechanical engineer
40 production or plant engineer
41 mining engineer (excluding petroleum)
42 petroleum engineer
43 aeronautical engineer
44 agricultural engineer
45 biomedical engineer
46 engineering technologist
47 environmental engineer
48 naval architect
49 engineering professionals (nec)
50 agricultural consultant
51 agricultural scientist
52 forester
53 chemist
54 food technologist
55 environmental consultant
56 environmental research scientist
57 environmental scientist (nec)
58 geophysicist
59 hydrogeologist
60 life scientist (general)
61 biochemist
62 biotechnologist
63 botanist
64 marine biologist
65 microbiologist
66 zoologist
67 life scientists (nec)
68 medical laboratory scientist
69 veterinarian
70 conservator
71 metallurgist
72 meteorologist
73 physicist
74 natural and physical science professionals (nec)
75 early childhood (pre primary school) teacher
76 secondary school teacher
77 special needs teacher
78 teacher of the hearing impaired
79 teacher of the sight impaired
80 special education teachers (nec)
81 university lecturer
82 medical diagnostic radiographer
83 medical radiation therapist
84 nuclear medicine technologist
85 sonographer
86 optometrist
87 orthotist or prosthetist
88 chiropractor
89 osteopath
90 occupational therapist
91 physiotherapist
92 podiatrist
93 audiologist
94 speech pathologist
95 general practitioner
96 specialist physician (general medicine)
97 cardiologist
98 clinical haematologist
99 medical oncologist
100 endocrinologist
101 gastroenterologist
102 intensive care specialist
103 neurologist
104 paediatrician
105 renal medicine specialist
106 rheumatologist
107 thoracic medicine specialist
108 specialist physicians (nec)
109 psychiatrist
110 surgeon (general)
111 cardiothoracic surgeon
112 neurosurgeon
113 orthopaedic surgeon
114 otorhinolaryngologist
115 paediatric surgeon
116 plastic and reconstructive surgeon
117 urologist
118 vascular surgeon
119 dermatologist
120 emergency medicine specialist
121 obstetrician and gynaecologis
122 ophthalmologist
123 pathologist
124 diagnostic and interventional radiologist
125 radiation oncologist
126 medical practitioners (nec)
127 midwife
128 nurse practitioner
129 registered nurse (aged care)
130 registered nurse (child and family health)
131 registered nurse (community health)
132 registered nurse (critical care and emergency)
133 registered nurse (developmental disability)
134 registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation)
135 registered nurse (medical)
136 registered nurse (medical practice)
137 registered nurse (mental health)
138 registered nurse (perioperative)
139 registered nurse (surgical)
140 registered nurse (paediatrics)
141 registered nurses (nec)
142 ICT business analyst
143 systems analyst
144 multimedia specialist
145 analyst programmer
146 developer programmer
147 software engineer
148 software and applications programmers (nec)
149 ICT security specialist
150 computer network and systems engineer
151 telecommunications engineer
152 telecommunications network engineer
153 barrister
154 solicitor
155 clinical psychologist
156 educational psychologist
157 organisational psychologist
158 psychologists (nec)
159 social worker
160 civil engineering draftsperson
161 civil engineering technician
162 electrical engineering draftsperson
163 electrical engineering technician
164 radio communications technician
165 telecommunications field engineer
166 telecommunications network planner
167 telecommunications technical officer or technologist
168 automotive electrician
169 motor mechanic (general)
170 diesel motor mechanic
171 motorcycle mechanic
172 small engine mechanic
173 sheetmetal trades worker
174 metal fabricator
175 pressure welder
176 welder (first class)
177 fitter (general)
178 fitter and turner
179 fitter welder
180 metal machinist (first class)
181 locksmith
182 panelbeater
183 bricklayer
184 stonemason
185 carpenter and joiner
186 carpenter
187 joiner
188 painting trades worker
189 glazier
190 fibrous plasterer
191 solid plasterer
192 wall and floor tiler
193 plumber (general)
194 airconditioning and mechanical services plumber
195 drainer
196 gasfitter
197 roof plumber
198 electrician (general)
199 electrician (special class)
200 lift mechanic
201 airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic
202 technical cable jointer
203 electronic equipment trades worker
204 electronic instrument trades worker (general)
205 electronic instrument trades worker (special class)
206 chef
207 horse trainer
208 cabinetmaker
209 boat builder and repairer
210 shipwright
211 tennis coach
1 flower grower
2 grape grower
3 vegetable grower (Aus)/market gardener (NZ)
4 apiarist
5 poultry farmer
6 sales and marketing manager
7 advertising manager
8 corporate services manager
9 finance manager
10 human resource manager
11 research and development manager
12 manufacturer
13 production manager (forestry)
14 production manager (manufacturing)
15 production manager (mining)
16 supply and distribution manager
17 health and welfare services managers (nec)
18 school principal
19 education managers (nec)
20 ICT project manager
21 ICT managers (nec)
22 laboratory manager
23 quality assurance manager
24 specialist managers (nec) except: (a) ambassador; or (b) archbishop; or (c) bishop
25 cafe or restaurant manager
26 hotel or motel manager
27 accommodation and hospitality managers (nec)
28 customer service manager
29 conference and event organiser
30 transport company manager
31 facilities manager
32 music professionals (nec)
33 photographer
34 book or script editor
35 director (film, television, radio or stage)
36 film and video editor
37 program director (television or radio)
38 stage manager
39 technical director
40 video producer
41 copywriter
42 newspaper or periodical editor
43 print journalist
44 technical writer
45 television journalist
46 journalists and other writers (nec)
47 company secretary
48 commodities trader
49 finance broker
50 insurance broker
51 financial brokers (nec)
52 financial market dealer
53 stockbroking dealer
54 financial dealers (nec)
55 financial investment adviser
56 financial investment manager
57 recruitment consultant
58 ICT trainer
59 mathematician
60 gallery or museum curator
61 health information manager
62 records manager
63 librarian
64 organisation and methods analyst
65 patents examiner
66 information and organisation professionals (nec)
67 advertising specialist
68 marketing specialist
69 ICT account manager
70 ICT business development manager
71 ICT sales representative
72 public relations professional
73 technical sales representatives (nec) including education sales representatives
74 fashion designer
75 industrial designer
76 jewellery designer
77 graphic designer
78 illustrator
79 web designer
80 interior designer
81 urban and regional planner
82 geologist
83 primary school teacher
84 middle school teacher (Aus) / intermediate school teacher (NZ)
85 education adviser
86 art teacher (private tuition)
87 dance teacher (private tuition)
88 music teacher (private tuition)
89 private tutors and teachers (nec)
90 teacher of English to speakers of other languages
91 dietitian
92 nutritionist
93 occupational health and safety adviser
94 orthoptist
95 hospital pharmacist
96 industrial pharmacist
97 retail pharmacist
98 health promotion officer
99 health diagnostic and promotion professionals (nec)
100 acupuncturist
101 naturopath
102 traditional Chinese medicine practitioner
103 complementary health therapists (nec)
104 dental specialist
105 resident medical officer
106 nurse educator
107 nurse researcher
108 nurse manager
109 web developer
110 software tester
111 database administrator
112 systems administrator
113 network administrator
114 network analyst
115 ICT quality assurance engineer
116 ICT support engineer
117 ICT systems test engineer
118 ICT support and test engineers (nec)
119 judicial and other legal professionals (nec)
120 careers counsellor
121 drug and alcohol counsellor
122 family and marriage counsellor
123 rehabilitation counsellor
124 student counsellor
125 counsellors (nec)
126 psychotherapist
127 interpreter
128 social professionals (nec)
129 recreation officer
130 welfare worker
131 anaesthetic technician
132 cardiac technician
133 medical laboratory technician
134 pharmacy technician
135 medical technicians (nec)
136 meat inspector
137 primary products inspectors (nec)
138 chemistry technician
139 earth science technician
140 life science technician
141 science technicians (nec)
142 architectural draftsperson
143 building inspector
144 architectural, building and surveying technicians (nec)
145 mechanical engineering technician
146 metallurgical or materials technician
147 mine deputy
148 hardware technician
149 ICT customer support officer
150 web administrator
151 ICT support technicians (nec)
152 farrier
153 aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics)
154 aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical)
155 aircraft maintenance engineer (structures)
156 metal fitters and machinists (nec)
157 precision instrument maker and repairer
158 toolmaker
159 vehicle body builder
160 vehicle trimmer
161 roof tiler
162 business machine mechanic
163 cabler (data and telecommunications)
164 telecommunications linesworker
165 baker
166 pastrycook
167 butcher or smallgoods maker
168 cook
169 dog handler or trainer
170 animal attendants and trainers (nec)
171 veterinary nurse
172 florist
173 gardener (general)
174 arborist
175 landscape gardener
176 greenkeeper
177 hairdresser
178 print finisher
179 printing machinist
180 dressmaker or tailor
181 upholsterer
182 furniture finisher
183 wood machinist
184 wood machinists and other wood trades workers (nec)
185 power generation plant operator
186 jeweller
187 camera operator (film, television or video)
188 make up artist
189 sound technician
190 performing arts technicians (nec)
191 signwriter
192 ambulance officer
193 intensive care ambulance paramedic
194 dental technician
195 diversional therapist
196 enrolled nurse
197 massage therapist
198 community worker
199 disabilities services officer
200 family support worker
201 residential care officer
202 youth worker
203 diving instructor (open water)
204 gymnastics coach or instructor
205 horse riding coach or instructor
206 snowsport instructor
207 swimming coach or instructor
208 other sports coach or instructor
209 sports development officer
210 sportspersons (nec)
211 contract administrator
212 program or project administrator
213 insurance loss adjuster
214 insurance agent
1 aquaculture farmer
2 cotton grower
3 fruit or nut grower
4 grain, oilseed or pasture grower (Aus ) / field crop grower (NZ)
5 mixed crop farmer
6 sugar cane grower
7 crop farmers (nec)
8 beef cattle farmer
9 dairy cattle farmer
10 deer farmer
11 goat farmer
12 horse breeder
13 mixed livestock farmer
14 pig farmer
15 sheep farmer
16 livestock farmers (nec)
17 mixed crop and livestock farmer
18 public relations manager
19 policy and planning manager
20 project builder
21 procurement manager
22 medical administrator
23 regional education manager
24 sports administrator
25 caravan park and camping ground manager
26 post office manager
27 amusement centre manager
28 fitness centre manager
29 sports centre manager
30 cinema or theatre manager
31 financial institution branch manager
32 human resource adviser
33 workplace relations adviser
34 policy analyst
35 liaison officer
36 market research analyst
37 aeroplane pilot
38 flying instructor
39 helicopter pilot
40 ship’s master
41 multimedia designer
42 wine maker
43 conservation officer
44 exercise physiologist
45 vocational education teacher
46 environmental health officer
47 dentist
48 anaesthetist
49 intellectual property lawyer
50 translator
51 community arts worker
52 agricultural technician
53 operating theatre technician
54 pathology collector
55 construction estimator
56 surveying or spatial science technician
57 mechanical engineering draftsperson
58 safety inspector
59 maintenance planner
60 building and engineering technicians (nec)
61 vehicle painter
62 floor finisher
63 electrical linesworker
64 zookeeper
65 nurseryperson
66 gas or petroleum operator
67 dental hygienist
68 dental therapist
69 emergency service worker
70 driving instructor
71 funeral workers (nec)
72 flight attendant
73 first aid trainer
74 jockey
75 clinical coder
76 property manager
You need to assemble a number of documents for your 482 visa application:
For your 482 visa, you must provide evidence that you meet at least the minimum requirements of English language proficiency, the required scores change according to the visa stream you are applying for.
You must also prove you reached the required scores within one attempt of the test and that the test was taken at least three years prior to applying for the visa.
The Department of Home Affairs specifically requests you have finished one of these tests with acceptable scores:
TestScoresIELTS (International English Language Testing System)5.0 score overall with at least 4.5 in each test element.OET (Occupational English Test)B for each test element.TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test)35 points with at least 3 points for listening and reading, and 12 points for speaking and writing.PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic)36 points in total with at least 30 points in each test element.Cambridge C1 Advanced Test154 points in total with a score of 147 for each test element.
For your medium-term stream visa 482 you need the following scores:
TestScoresIELTS (International English Language Testing System)5.0 score overall with at least 5 in each test element.OET (Occupational English Test)B for each test element.TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test)35 points with at least 4 points for listening and reading, and 14 points for speaking and writing.PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic)36 points in total with at least 36 points in each test element.Cambridge C1 Advanced Test154 points in total with a score of 154 for each test element.
You are exempt from the language requirement if:
When your sponsor submits their nomination they must also prepare a number of documents:
Here are the eligibility criteria for a 482 visa:
Apply for a visa 482 by following these instructions:
Before you can apply for a 482 visa your sponsor must apply to become a standard sponsor- if they aren’t already one. Your sponsor must lodge an online application for sponsorship via ImmiAccount and submit the required documents. Your employer is also required to pay a sponsorship fee of AUD420.
If you are applying for the labour agreement stream, your sponsor doesn’t have to apply to become an eligible sponsor. However, your employer must be a part of the labour agreements, and if they are not, they are required to submit a request to become a part of the accords.
Once your sponsor is approved, the sponsorship will last for 5 five years. After that, your employer can submit a nomination application for you to get this visa.
As soon as your employer is an approved sponsor, they can lodge a nomination application for you. They have to nominate you via ImmiAccount and pay a nomination fee of AUD330.
Once your sponsor begins the nomination process, they are required to pay the skills levy fund. The full amount of the fund will be calculated in the nomination form, but the payment will vary depending on the business size and the length of the work period.
Small businesses with a turnover of less than AUD10million have to pay an amount of AUD1200 yearly, while businesses with a turnover of more than 10 million have to pay AUD1800. For example, if your sponsor has a business turnover of 9 million, and you will be employed for three years then the levy fund will be calculated as AUD5400.
Don’t forget that you have to submit the payment fee to have your application finalized and reviewed.
The processing time for a 482 visa application depends on the visa stream you applied for:
A 482 visa costs AUD2,690. However, if you are applying for the short-term stream you have to pay AUD1,290. Don’t forget you have to pay additional fees for each additional family member- see the full fees.
You have to get a skill assessment via the Skill Assessment Program for a temporary skills shortage visa- see the program here. Depending on which occupation you were nominated for, you have to get a skill assessment by Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS.
You must contact the Immigration office before you apply to see whether a skill assessment is required- if it is you must have it completed before you apply for the visa or your application is invalid. The Immigration office will also let you know where you can get your skill assessment.
Generally speaking, you can stay up to four years with a 482 visa. However, if you have a short-term stream visa 482 you have a visa only for two years. Your short-term stream visa will last for four years if an ITO applies to your visa.
An ITO or an International Trade Obligation applies if you are:
Yes, if your visa is about to expire you can apply for another visa if you are still working for your employer. To get another 482 visa, your employer must submit a new nomination form and you must apply for the visa once again.
You can get a permanent visa if your employer nominates you for PR through one of these visas:
If you have a labour agreement stream, then you can apply for a permanent residence visa only through a visa subclass 186.
Yes, you can apply with family members that belong to your close family unit:
If you previously held a 457 visa or a TTS visa, you can include your family members that hold a TTS visa granted on the basis they were your family member. Please note that children include any legally recognized children, i.e., adopted children or step-children.
Keep in mind that for your dependent children, you have to provide proof they are truly dependent on you or your partner either socially, mentally, physically or financially.
You can’t add family members after your visa application has been submitted. However, if your application is being processed by the Department, your family members may apply for the visa as subsequent entrants, but they have to submit an online application and pay the visa fees.
After your 482 visa is granted, you have to follow these conditions to maintain your visa:
No, if you want to change your employer, you have to apply for the visa again. Keep in mind that your new employer has to submit another nomination form and have the nomination approved before you can start working for them.
No, you have to work the same occupation that you were nominated for when you were granted a 482 visa. However, if you do want to change your profession, you have to apply for another temporary skilled shortage visa.
Your employer must be able to pay the annual market salary rate equal to the temporary skilled migration income threshold. At the moment the TSMIT is at AUD53,900. However, this amount does not count for other benefits such as accommodation or a car.
Whether foreign workers are required by law to have health insurance varies from country to country and can depend on various factors, including the worker’s immigration status, the duration of their stay, and the specific regulations of the host country. For example, in Germany, health insurance is required by law.
Also, the type of visa or work permit a foreign worker holds can influence whether health insurance is legally required. Some visas may come with health insurance obligations, while others may not.
Here are some well-known international health insurance providers that offer health insurance for foreign workers:
