TSS VISA (SUBCLASS 482)

The TSS visa is for skilled workers who want to work in Australia temporarily.

This visa involves a three-step process:

Step 1: a sponsorship application by the employer

Step 2: a nomination application for a skilled position by the employer

Step 3: a visa application by the proposed employee

The three steps above must be completed in order. You do not, however, have to wait for each application to be approved to move onto the next step.

As an overseas worker, you can apply for this visa if you:

  • have been nominated for a position by an approved sponsor and that nomination has been approved
  • meet any required skills and qualifications requirements including completing any skills assessments required
  • meet English language requirements
  • if in Australia, hold a substantive visa, a Bridging A B or C visa
  • have substantially complied with any conditions that apply or applied to your last visa
  • meet health and character requirements
  • meet the requirements of the stream in which you apply.

Approved sponsor

Before you can apply for a TSS visa, your proposed employer will need to lodge a nomination application for you.
They will only be able to do this if they are an approved sponsor or have at least lodged an application to become a standard business sponsor.

Training requirements

The Bills to implement the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy are currently before the Parliament. As a result, standard business and labour agreement sponsors are still required to meet their training obligations.
If the government succeeds in passing the SAF Levy, sponsors will be required to pay the Levy based on the number of years they are seeking sponsorship for the position. Fees of $1800 per year apply to businesses with a turnover above $10 million or $1200 where turnover is under $10 million.

Labour Market Testing requirement

Standard business sponsors must test the local labour market prior to lodging a nomination application unless an international trade obligation applies.

Age

There is no age requirement for this visa.

English language

You must provide evidence that you meet the English language requirements.

Skills, qualifications and experience

You must provide evidence that you have the necessary skills, qualifications and employment background to perform the nominated occupation.

​Health

You must meet the health requirement.
The results of your health examinations are generally valid for 12 months.
This applies to all members of your family unit included in your application.

Character

You must provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age.
This applies to you and all members of your family unit listed in your application.

Accredited sponsors have certain leniencies in this respect.

Short-term stream (can be initially sponsored for up to two years and again for a further two years, however exceptions apply)

You might be able to get a visa under this stream if, in addition to the above general requirements, you:

  • have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years
  • are a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a short term visa holder
  • will be working directly for your sponsor or for an associated entity of your sponsor, unless the nominated occupation is exempt from this requirement

Medium-term stream (can be sponsored for up to four years)

You might be able to get a visa under this stream if, in addition to the above general requirements, you:

  • have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years
  • will be working directly for your sponsor or for an associated entity of your sponsor, unless the nominated occupation is exempt from this requirement

Labour agreement stream

You might be able to get a visa under this stream if, in addition to the above general requirements, you:

  • are nominated in an occupation included in a labour agreement which your employer has entered into with the Department
  • have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years (unless this is not required under the labour agreement).

What you can do

This visa allows you to travel to and from Australia for the duration of your visa

Other visa criteria also apply. Contact us to book a consultation and discuss the above with our team.

Useful tips

You cannot attach a refused subclass 457 application to a new TSS Nomination application. In that scenario, a new TSS Visa application will also need to be lodged.