Employer Sponsored Visas
Overview
SC 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa program allows an employer to sponsor a skilled worker to fill a position that cannot be filled by an appropriately skilled Australian worker. There are three streams available: short-term, medium-term, and labour agreement stream. To be eligible for this visa, you must be sponsored by an approved sponsor and possess the required skills for the job. You will also need to provide evidence of your English proficiency for the relevant stream. The processing time for this visa is around 9 months. If you meet the requirements, this visa may lead to permanent residency. There is no age limit to apply, but you must pass a health examination and meet health and character requirements.
Short Term stream
This visa allows you to temporarily reside and work in Australia, helping employers fill skill gaps that can’t be met by Australian workers. To apply for a TSS visa, your prospective employer must first submit a nomination application for you, which can only be done if they are an approved sponsor or have applied to become one.
If eligible, you may apply for permanent residency through the STSOL occupation list. You must have at least two years of work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field within the last five years. This experience may include PhD, clinical or industry placements, internships or apprenticeships, but casual work won’t count. You may also be required to submit a relevant skills assessment for your occupation.
You can apply at any age, and you must meet the health and character requirements and demonstrate a genuine temporary entrant (GTE). You must provide proof of English proficiency with a minimum overall score of 5 bands and at least 4.5 in each module, unless exempted. You will need to work exclusively for your sponsor and maintain adequate health cover for the entire intended period of your visa.
The processing time for this visa can range from three to fifteen months, and the application fee is AUD 1290. You must comply with conditions 8303, 8501, and 8607 while on this visa.
Process
Medium Term Stream
This visa allows you to temporarily reside and work in Australia. It is designed to help employers address labor shortages by bringing in skilled workers from abroad when they cannot find a suitable Australian worker for the job. To apply for a TSS visa, your prospective employer must first submit a nomination application on your behalf. This can only be done if they are an approved sponsor or have applied to become a Standard Business Sponsor.
If you are eligible, you may be able to apply for a permanent residency visa. To do so, you must be nominated by an approved sponsor for an occupation that is available on the MLTSSL. You must have at least two years of work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field within the past five years (not necessarily continuous). Experience gained through PhD, clinical or industry placements, internships, or apprenticeships may be considered. Full-time work is generally required, although equivalent part-time work may be accepted by the government. Casual work will not be considered. You may also need to provide a skills assessment if required for your occupation. You are only allowed to work for your sponsor.
You must provide proof of your English proficiency with a minimum overall score of 5 bands and at least 5 in each module, unless exempted. There is no age limit for this visa. You must also meet the health and character requirements and prove genuine temporary entry. You must maintain adequate health cover for the entire intended stay period. The processing time for this visa varies from 3 to 15 months, and the application fee is AUD 2690. The visa conditions that apply to this visa include 8303, 8501, and 8607.
Process
Labor agreement stream
This temporary visa allows skilled workers nominated by employers with a Labour Agreement to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years (duration may vary). To be eligible, a minimum of 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field is required, and a relevant skills assessment may be requested. English language skills suitable for the occupation specified in the Labour agreement are also necessary, and health and character requirements must be met. The visa processing time may range from 2 to 6 months, and the cost is AUD 2690. The applicable visa conditions are 8303, 8501, and 8607.
Process
SC 186
Direct entry stream
If granted an SC 186 visa under the Direct Entry Stream, you will be authorized to permanently reside and work in Australia while also having the ability to sponsor eligible family members to join you. Additionally, if you meet the requirements, you can apply for Australian citizenship.
To be eligible for this visa, you must first be nominated by an actively and lawfully operating Australian employer and be under the age of 45. You will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency with an overall score of 6 bands, as well as a minimum score of 6 bands in each module. Meeting the health and character requirement is also necessary. Your occupation must be on the list of eligible skilled occupations, and you must possess a minimum of three years of relevant experience (unless exempted) and a positive skills assessment (unless exempted). Usually, those exempted from the skills assessment requirement are also exempted from the three-year experience requirement. The processing time for this visa may range from 4 to 12 months, and the application fee is AUD 4115. Condition 8515 is the only condition that applies to this visa.
Labour agreement stream
This visa offers permanent residency to skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to work in Australia. If you are currently employed, or will be employed, by an employer who is a party to the labour agreement, then the Labour Agreement stream could be suitable for you. You will be permitted to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia, and if you meet the requirements, you can apply for citizenship as well.
To be eligible for this visa, you must currently be employed under a labour agreement and have your employer nominate you. You must have either a TSS visa granted under a labour agreement or SC 457. You must be under the age of 45 years unless your labour agreement specifies exemption. You will also need to meet the health and character requirements. The processing time for this visa can vary from 2 to 13 months, and the application fee is AUD 4115. The only condition that applies to this visa is 8515.
Temporary residence transition stream
Under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream, if you are granted the SC 186 visa, you will have the opportunity to live and work permanently in Australia. Additionally, you will be able to sponsor eligible family members to join you, and if you meet the requirements, you can apply for citizenship.
To be eligible for this visa, your employer must sponsor you and have previously nominated you for either SC 482 or 457 to work full-time for at least 2 to 3 years. Typically, the candidate must be under the age of 45 years. You must provide proof of English language proficiency with an overall score of 6 and a minimum score of 6 bands in each module. You must also meet the health and character requirements. The processing time for this visa can vary from 6 to 18 months, and the application fee is AUD 4115. Condition 8515 is the only condition that applies to this visa.
SC 494
The Skilled Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa is available for skilled workers who are seeking provisional residency in Australia. This visa is designed to address identified labor shortages within a region by allowing regional employers to sponsor skilled workers if they are unable to source appropriately skilled Australian workers. Both onshore (currently living on temporary residency visas) and offshore applicants are eligible for this visa.
To be eligible for this visa, you must be nominated by an approved sponsor and have an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list, along with a positive skill assessment from the relevant authority. If you currently hold SC 457, you may be exempted from the skills assessment requirement at the time of application for SC 494. Additionally, you must have a nomination from an approved employer and provide proof of English language proficiency for the relevant stream. You must also pass a health examination and meet health and character requirements. This subclass has two further sub-streams: the Employer Sponsored Stream and the Labour Agreement Stream.
Temporary residence transition stream
Under this visa, skilled workers nominated by their employer can live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. After three years from the time of visa grant, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
To be eligible for this visa, you must have at least three years of relevant work experience and be nominated to work in an occupation available on the relevant skilled occupation list, with a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority.
Generally, you must be under 45 years old unless specified for exemption in your labor agreement. You must also meet the health and character requirements. The processing time may vary from 3 to 10 months, and the visa application fee is AUD 4115. Under this visa, you must comply with several conditions including 8515, 8578, 8579, 8580, 8581, and 8608.
Labour agreement stream
This visa provides an opportunity for skilled workers nominated by their employers to reside, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for a maximum of 5 years. After 3 years from the date of visa grant, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
To qualify for this visa, you need a minimum of three years of relevant work experience and a nomination to work in an occupation specified under the terms of a labour agreement, as well as a positive skills assessment (if specified in your labour agreement).
You must be under 45 years of age unless exempted by your labour agreement. Additionally, you must meet the health and character requirements and the minimum English language proficiency standards. The processing time for this visa may range from 3 to 10 months, and the application fee is AUD 4115. This visa comes with several conditions to follow, including 8515, 8578, 8579, 8580, 8581, and 8608.