TSS 482 Visa TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY

Pathways to apply for Permanent Residency on a Medium Term TSS 482 Visa:

By 25 November 2023, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme SC 186 will be amended.

All Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) SC 482 visa holders will be eligible for ENS 186 visas sponsored by their employers.

Applicants will need to continue to work in the occupation nominated for their 482 TSS visa(s).

Sponsored visa holders will be eligible for 186 ENS TRT after two years (down from three years) of sponsorship on a 482 TSS by their employer.

Applicants will need to meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the 186 TRT stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.

The limit on Short Term stream 482 TSS visa applications that can be made onshore has also been removed in the interim.

Applicants on a 482 TSS visa have a pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Sponsored Temporary Transition Stream (186 ENS/187 RSMS) if:

  1. your occupation is on the Medium Term list.
  2. have worked for the same employer for 3 years on your TSS 482 visa
  3. have worked in the same occupation for the 3 years on your TSS 482 visa
  4. have at least competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent)- exemptions apply
  5. you are under 45 years old at the time of applying for PR

Regional 482 TSS visa to PR

You will have also have a pathway to permanent residency if:

  1. your occupation is on the Regional Occupation list and working in a designated regional area
  2. have worked for the same employer for 3 years on your TSS 482 visa
  3. have worked in the same occupation for the 3 years on your TSS 482 visa
  4. have at least competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent)- exemptions apply
  5. you are under 45 years old at the time of applying for PR
  6. transitional 457 worker means a person who held a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa at any time occurring on or after 18 April 2017.
  7. transitional 482 worker means a person who on 20 March 2019:(a) held a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Medium-term stream; or(b) was an applicant for a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Medium-term stream that was subsequently granted.
Am I eligible for a TSS 482 visa?

Related: 

Replacement of TSS 482 visa in 2024:

As part of Australia’s new migration strategy, a new three tiered system of visa pathways to replace the TSS SC 482.

  • The specialist skills visa pathway will not have an occupational list and a processing turnaround of 7 days.  Trades occupations, machinery operators, drivers and labourers will be excluded from this visa class. There will be 3,000 places allocated per year. The ‘specialist skills’ visa for those earning over $135,000 per year.
  • The core skills visas pathway are expected to provide the majority of visa for the program.  trades workers will be required to apply under this visa based on a revised ‘skills in demand list’ developed by Jobs and Skills Australia. The ‘core skills’ visa for the $70-135,000 cohort.
  • The details of the essential skills visa pathway are yet to be finally determined. This visa will involve union oversight, be capped and be restricted to specific sectors.  To date the aged care and disability sectors have been mentioned. The ‘essential skills’ visa is for those earning under $70,000. 

The visas will be granted for up to 4 years and visa holders will be able to change employers more easily and provide clear pathways to permanent residency.  The ‘TSMIT‘ will be indexed annually and a public register of employer sponsors to allow more ease with moving between employers.

Alternative ways of obtaining PR if you do not meet the above criteria:

  1. Employer Sponsored Direct Entry Stream (ENS/RSMS)
  2. General Skilled Migration (189/190/489)
  3. Partner Migration (As the partner/spouse/de facto of an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen)
  4. See visa options after you turn 45

Medium-Term TSS 482 Visa

The medium-term TSS 482 visa is :

  • granted for four years.
  • capacity for onshore visa renewals (not limited to one) and a
  • pathway to Australian permanent residency after three years.

This stream is relatively similar to the previous 457 visa.

The medium-term TSS 482 visa is aimed at applicants working in skilled occupation which the Government believes are critically needed – and will be needed in the longer term.

TSS 482 Visa To PR in 2023

Medium-Term TSS 482 visa holders who have been working in Australia with the same employer for three years may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency though the Transitional (TRT) Stream. Based on their postcode being regional or Metropolitan Australia, TSS 482 visa holders will apply through either the Employer Nominated Scheme (186 ENS) or the Regional Employer Sponsored Scheme (187 RSMS). The employer must be willing to sponsor the candidate for permanent residency under the Temporary Residence Transition stream and must lodge a valid nomination with the Department of Home Affairs (Previously the Department of Immigration). This is one of the most common pathways to permanent residency and gives you all the PR entitlements.

In order to qualify for the 482 TSS visa (Long Term Stream) applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List.
  • At least two years of relevant work experience is required.
  • The existing 457 program only requires the applicants to have a closely-related qualification at the correct level and do not require work experience. For the TSS 482 visa each occupation still has a minimum work experience requirement – either three years or five years if you do not have a qualification– based on the skill level of the nominated occupation.
  • Candidates must be paid at the minimum salary for the position
  • police check.

Employers must:

Am I eligible for a 186 visa?

Get in touch with your trusted registered Migration Agent in Melbourne and maximise your chances of becoming an Australian permanent resident. Other Temporary to Permanent visa options and how to become an Australian permanent resident: