The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS visa) subclass 482 replaced the Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa subclass 457 in March 2018. The Department of Home Affairs has published a newsletter covering the changes made to the skilled visa program and transitional arrangements for pipeline applications processed after the implementation of the TSS visa program.
TSS Visa Program
There are three options available under the TSS visa program:
Short-term stream
This is for employers to source genuine temporary overseas skilled workers in occupations included on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) for a maximum of two years, or up to four years if an international trade obligation applies. Capacity for visa renewal onshore is allowed once only. A requirement of an International English Language Testing System (or equivalent test) score of 5, with a minimum of 4.5 in each test component applies. Genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirements also apply to this stream.
Medium-term stream
This is for employers to source highly skilled overseas workers to fill medium-term critical skills in occupations included on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for up to four years, with eligibility to apply for onshore visa renewal or permanent residence after three years. A requirement of an International English Language Testing System (or equivalent test) score of 5, with a minimum of 5 in each test component applies.
Labour Agreement stream
This is for employers to source overseas skilled workers in accordance with a labour agreement with the Commonwealth on the basis of a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market and standard visa programs are not available, with the capacity to negotiate a permanent residence option.
Eligibility for all TSS visa applicants
Work experience
At least two years’ work experience relevant to the particular occupation is required. Policy settings are outlined in the TSS visa Procedural Instructions. In broad terms as per the interim guidance for agents:
- Work experience will be considered flexibly in the context of the nominated occupation and industry practices.
- The work experience should have been undertaken in the last five years and would need to be calculated in terms of full-time work. Part-time work experience may be considered. − Experience gained as part of the research components of a Masters and/or PhD may be considered as work experience for relevant occupations, such as medical and research occupations.
- Experience gained through clinical placements and internships may be considered as work experience for medical practitioners, including Resident Medical Officers. − The internship component of the Professional Year Program may be considered as work experience for relevant occupations.
- Performance experience gained while studying may be considered for applicants with a performing arts occupation.
Labour market testing (LMT)
LMT is mandatory unless an international trade agreement applies
For nominations lodged on or after 12 August 2018 unless alternative requirements apply:
- LMT must have occurred within four months before lodging the nomination.
Note: multiple positions in one advertisement are acceptable.
- At least two advertisements of the nominated position will need to be published in Australia, in English, and should include the following information: −
- the title, or a description, of the position; −
- the skills or experience required for the position; −
- the name of the approved sponsor or the recruitment agency being used by the sponsor; and
- the annual earnings for the position unless the annual earnings will be lower than AUD96,400. It is acceptable to publish a salary range, for example, AUD80,000 to AUD90,000.
- Multiple methods are recognised and include:
- prominent or professional national recruitment websites; −
- national print media including national newspapers or magazines that are published at least monthly and marketed throughout Australia;
- national radio;
- on the business’ website, if the sponsor is accredited.
Advertised positions must remain available for application for at least four weeks from first publication regardless of the medium used.
LMT via general classified websites or social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook or Instagram is not recognised. LinkedIn’s online recruitment platform is acceptable. Job vacancies restricted to LinkedIn profile members only are NOT acceptable
Choice of acceptable media used for the advertisements is not limited, that is two advertisements may appear in newspapers on separate occasions or simultaneously in two different media. An authorised party may undertake the advertising as there is no requirement for the actual sponsor to place the advertisements.
Alternative requirements apply for ‘select occupations’ and ‘select positions’ such as for outstanding and internationally recognised talent in sport, academia or as a top chef. Also included are changes due to business restructures or where the annual earnings are not less than AUD250,000 or for particular medical personnel.
It is mandatory under the Act to provide evidence with the nomination application of the sponsor’s efforts to find suitably qualified and experienced Australian citizens or permanent residents to fill the position/similar positions, that is, a copy of advertisement(s) and a receipt for any fees.
To avoid an unnecessary unfavourable outcome the Department of Home Affairs has noted that where fees were paid for advertising the receipt must be attached to the nomination application, as well as a copy of the relevant advertisement.
Where the nominated position is an intra-company transfer, alternative evidence may also include evidence of such a transfer in lieu of advertising.
Minimum market salary rate
Employers must pay the Australian market salary rate and meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold requirements. See Migration (IMMI 18/033: Specification of Income Threshold and Annual Earnings and Methodology of Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2018.
Character
Mandatory penal clearance certificates to be provided. Where an applicant, and any family member included on the application, is sponsored by an accredited sponsor, references from the accredited sponsor can be attached confirming that the applicant and any family members are of good character and have not been convicted of any criminal offences, as an alternative to providing police certificates from countries other than Australia where required. All applicants and any family members included on the application must still provide any required Australian Federal Police clearances.
Workforce
A non-discriminatory workforce test to ensure employers are not actively discriminating against Australian workers.
Training requirement
Employers nominating a worker for a TSS visa will be required to pay a contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund
Stages For Subclass 482 Visa
There are three stages:
1. Standard Business Sponsorship
To sponsor an employee a company needs to become a standard business sponsor. While a company’s standard business sponsorship is valid several applicants can be nominated, as long as the company continues to demonstrate the capacity and need for the nominated position. In order to become a standard business sponsor a company needs to provide certain documents to prove that it is operating in Australia as well as meeting Training Benchmark A or B. For more information on this see Migration (IMMI 17/045: Specification of Training Benchmarks and Training Requirements) Instrument 2017 and the Sponsorship obligations for Standard business page.
2. Nomination
To meet the criteria the applicant must be nominated for a position. A standard business sponsor may nominate an applicant for an eligible position by demonstrating the capacity to nominate the applicant and the need to have the position filled. The sponsor also needs to complete Labour Market Testing, unless an international obligation applies, to demonstrate that there is no qualified Australian citizen or resident available for the position.
3. Application
The application can be assessed when the associated nomination has been approved. At this stage the applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency requirements applicable to the relevant stream, as set out at English proficiency above. The applicant must also demonstrate they have the appropriate skills and qualifications to fill the position.
Global Talent Scheme Pilot
The Global Talent Scheme is a new visa scheme aimed at attracting highly skilled global talent within technology related industries. This is part of the ongoing reforms to skilled visa programs to ensure that Australians have priority for Australian jobs but acknowledging that there are times when these skills are not available domestically.
The scheme consists of two streams: the established business stream and the start-up stream. The established business stream is aimed at publicly listed companies or those with an annual turnover of at least $4 million for each of the past two years. The nominated position must also have minimum annual earnings of $180,000.
The start-up stream is aimed at newly-established businesses with STEM-related fields, being science, technology, engineering, and math, including but not limited to agriculture and medical technology. The minimum annual earnings of the nominated position cannot be less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income requirements as set out in legislative instrument IMMI 18/033.
For technology related businesses who have had highly valued staff paid more than $180,000 annually or highly skilled employees affected by the 457 visa changes, relief may be found through this scheme.
Unlike the 457 or TSS visa schemes, the Global Talent Scheme will not have a set list of occupations or restrictions on permanent residency or age. Successful applicants will be issued with a four year TSS visa, with permanent residency available as an option after three years.
The scheme will commence in July 2018 and will run for 12 months.
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