Permanent residence pathway for sc482 visa holders with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The Department of Home Affairs has set 25 November 2023 for implementing changes to the employer-sponsored permanent residency program.

Once the ENS reforms have been implemented, short-term Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa holders will gain access to permanent residency under the 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the 186 ENS visa program.

• All Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) SC 482 visa holders will be eligible for ENS visas sponsored by their employers.
• Applicants will need to continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa(s).
• Sponsored visa holders will be eligible for ENS TRT after two years (down from three years) of sponsorship on a TSS by their employer.
• Applicants will need to meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
• The limit on Short Term stream TSS visa applications that can be made onshore has also been removed in the interim.

Previous update: Changes commenced to improve access to permanent residence for skilled migrant workers who chose to stay in Australia during the pandemic.

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders who have been in Australia for at least one year between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 are able to apply for permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa.

Applicants must also meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the ENS visa.

In addition to Short-term stream TSS visa holders, the Government is advising that this pathway is also available to Medium-term stream TSS visa holders with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List.

This pathway is currently available for two years from 1 July 2022 and is adding to the previously announced changes relating to Permanent Residency pathways for TSS Visa holders with occupations on the STSOL list.

• Subclass 482 (ROL) visa holders must have worked full-time in their nominated occupation for their employer for at least three of last four years as the holder of this visa
• The employer must be eligible to sponsor them again for a permanent position

186 Temporary Residence Transition Stream Age Limit Exemptions

• Academic applicants 
• Regional medical practitioner applicants  
• Science applicants 
• Subclass 457/482 workers who meet the Fair Work High Income Threshold for 3 years
• Subclass 457/482 coronavirus concession workers (STSOL)
• Transition 457 workers under 50
• Legacy 457 workers (from 1 July 2022)
• PR for sc482 visa holders with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List (ROL)

Related:

• COVID-19 concessions for Employer-Sponsored visas (SC457-482 and 186-187)
• TSS Visa to Permanent Residency