Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa – work experience
It was announced that the Government will be reducing the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa from two years to one year for all applicants from 23 November 2024 onwards. No legislative instrument to this effect has been released therefore, this change will not commence on 23 November 2024.
The Department has previously advised that the Skills in Demand (SID) visa will have a one year work experience requirement. As the SID visa will replace the TSS visa, it may be likely that the one year work experience amendment has been delayed to coincide with the release of the SID visa.
Currently TSS 482 visa applicants are required to have worked in the nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years in the last 5 years (in or outside of Australia). Work experience related caveats that applied at the nomination stage for the subclass 457 visa will not apply to TSS nominations.
Examples include:
- Work experience will be considered flexibly in the context of the nominated occupation and industry practices
- The work experience should have been undertaken in the last five years and would need to be calculated in terms of full time work. Part time work experience may be considered
- Experience gained as part of the research components of a Masters and/or PhD may be considered as work experience for relevant occupations, such as medical and research occupations
- Experience gained through clinical placements and internships may be considered as work experience for medical practitioners, including Resident Medical Officers (RMOs)
- The internship component of the Professional Year Program may be considered as work experience for relevant occupations
- Performance experience gained while studying may be considered for applicants with a performing arts occupation.
- Casual employment should not be counted towards meeting the work experience requirement.
In both 482 Short-term stream and Medium-term stream, visa applicants are required to have worked in the nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years.
The TSS 482 visa requires applicants in the Labour Agreement stream to have worked in the nominated occupation for at least two years, unless, it would be reasonable to disregard this requirement. It would normally be considered reasonable to disregard the requirement where the work agreement in place provides for a concession to this requirement approved by the Minister.
This requirement is aimed at ensuring visa applicants are skilled and have experience in the occupation (or a related occupation), and can quickly contribute that experience into the Australian workforce.
As a result, the intention is that any work experience completed, subject to the Industry Specific Advice below, including in relation to vocational placements, must be completed while:
- working in the nominated occupation; or
- performing tasks at the same skill level in a related field – see below
Work experience obtained while working full-time is preferred and would weigh strongly in an applicant’s favour, however, there is no requirement that the work be full-time in order for an applicant to satisfy the Regulations. The period of work experience does not need to be continuous.
Note:
- The ‘two years’ work experience requirement is not in addition to any work experience requirements outlined in ANZSCO occupation definitions, which are relevant in terms of assessing 482 work experience requirements.
- Types of work experience that cannot be counted towards the work experience requirement include experience gained from voluntary or unpaid employment arrangements.
Work experience in a related field
Where the applicant has not worked in the nominated occupation but has indicated that they have undertaken relevant work experience, DOHA consider whether tasks undertaken in the relevant position are:
- the same, closely the same or closely related to those of the nominated occupation as outlined in ANZSCO; and
- are at the same skill level – e.g. work experience as a Kitchen Hand or Cook cannot be counted towards the work experience requirement for a Chef position. Work experience must be gained at the appropriate skill level. The occupations of Kitchen Hands and Cooks are at lower ANZSCO skill levels than that of Chef.
Support from the relevant industry peak body that endorses the skills/experience of an applicant should also be considered.
Industry specific advice
Experience gained as part of a Masters and/or PhD degree may be considered as work experience for relevant occupations, such as medical and research occupations.
Experience gained whilst studying through a formal arrangement (e.g. a clinical/industry placement, internship or apprenticeship) that is undertaken as part of a Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registered course of study may be considered as work experience where it is relevant to the occupation. This includes, but is not limited to:
- the internship component of the Professional Year Program; and
- for medical practitioners, experience gained through internships or the final year medical training, including periods of clinical placements.
Experience gained whilst studying through a formal arrangement (e.g. a clinical/industry placement, internship or apprenticeship) outside of a CRICOS registered course of study must be undertaken at the skill level of the relevant occupation to be considered as work experience.
Performance experience gained whilst studying may be considered for applicants with a performing arts occupation. This flexibility is intended to recognise performers that may have exceptional talent and are in demand globally.
Industry experience may be considered for niche or generalist occupations where it is relevant and skills are transferable e.g. management consultants or specialist technology positions.
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