The New TSS (SC482)
From 18 March 2018, Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) SC482 took effect while Temporary Work (Skilled) SC457 will be abolished.
TSS (SC482) will have three streams: The Short Term (ST), the Medium-Long Term (MT) and the Labour Agreement Stream.
The Short-Term Stream allows employers to sponsor/nominate skilled overseas workers in the occupations listed on the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) for a maximum period of two years with an option to be renewed once for further two years. Applicants have an option to reapply for further Short-term stream visa outside Australia when the maximum four years have been reached. Applicants under this stream will have to satisfy a “genuine temporary entrant” requirement, which includes assessment of their circumstances, immigration history, compliance with visa conditions and other relevant matter.
The Medium-Term Stream allows employers to sponsor/nominate skilled overseas workers for occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for up to four years. There are no restrictions on renewals while in Australia.
The Labour Agreement Stream will enable skilled overseas workers to be employed under a labour agreement with the Commonwealth government.
Eligibility to the Employer Nomination Scheme (SC186) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (SC187) will have to meet changes to requirements on age, employment history, salary, English Language and eligible occupations. The changes will not apply to persons who held or had applied for SC457 visa on 18 April 2017.
Primary applicants for SC482 must have at least two years relevant work experience. They must be under 45 years old. Short-Term stream applicants will have the same English language requirements as SC457 while Medium-Term stream applicant will require an overall 5 in the International English Language testing system or equivalent with a minimum of 5 in each component score. Visa application charge for the short-term stream will have a small increase while the medium- term stream will be closer to the VAC for skilled migration visa.
All applicants must satisfy a more stringent health criterion. SC482 visa holder must work only in the occupation related to the SC482 visa that was granted.
The visa period for dependent children who are members of the family unit will cease at the end of the day before the holder turns 23 years old.
Some changes to the SC186 and SC 187 visa include:
a labour agreement stream
lowering of the primary applicant’s age to 45 years or under
the requirement for the primary applicant to have at least three years relevant work experience for Direct Entry
the requirement for an applicant nominated in the TRT stream to have worked at the time of nomination for three years our of the previous fours years in relation to the SC457 or SC482 visa held
TRT and DE stream will require applicant’s nominated occupation to be on the MLTSSL at the time of nomination. Additional occupations will be available in a regional area.