The subclass 482 Temporary Skilled Shortage (Skilled) (“TSS”) visa programme is for businesses operating in Australia to nominate and sponsor foreign skilled workers to work in a nominated skilled occupation position on a temporary basis.

Skilled occupations that are eligible for subclass 482 TSS visa are listed in the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (“STSOL”) and Medium and Long–term Strategic Skills List (“MLTSSL”).

A subclass 482 TSS visa can be granted for a maximum period of 2 years for an occupation in the STSOL. This is known as TSS Short Term Stream visa. If the occupation is in the MLTSSL, it can be granted for up to 4 years. This is knowns as the TSS Medium-Long Term Stream visa. For TSS Short Term Stream visa, a business can re-nominate and sponsor the same employee for a further a subclass 482 TSS Short Term Stream visa that can be granted for additional 2 years.

Businesses may also seek to negotiate to sponsor foreign skilled workers under this visa through a Labour Agreement. Labour Agreement may be suitable in situation where the is a genuine need to fulfill positions that cannot be filled locally, and that standard sponsorship program is unsuitable. For example, the occupation is not on the eligible skills list that available for sponsorship or there is a solid business case for seeking concessions to some standard requirements such as English language, skills and qualification requirements.

Generally, the sponsored skilled worker must have the necessary skills and/or qualification to perform in the nominated position, have at least 2 years work experience in the occupation or a closed related field, and meet the English language requirement.

For foreign skilled workers that are sponsored to work in a nominated occupations under the MLTSSL, there is possibility for their employer to nominate them for the permanent subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa after they have worked in the position for at least 3 years and the position is still needed for at least 2 years.

On 18 March 2022, as part of the Australian Government’s COVID recovery measures, there is now also the ability for those who have been holding a subclass 482 TSS visa working in an occupation in the STSOL during the COVID pandemic to be nominated by their employer for the permanent subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa.