From 18 March 2018, the 457 visa was abolished and replaced with the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS visa)Subclass 482. The enables employers to address labour shortages by hiring skilled workers where they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian. TSS visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation and may have a pathway to permanent residency.
WHO CAN APPLY?
- The Short-Term stream: Applicants with occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) are eligible for visas of up to two years (renewable once, for a further two years). Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
- The Medium-Term stream: Applicants with occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) can apply for up to four years, with eligibility for permanent residency after three years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
- The Labour Agreement stream：Skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement can apply for this visa. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers. With this visa you can stay in Australia up to a maximum of 4 years, depending on the terms in the labour agreement. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
APPLICATION PROCESS?
- Step1: Standard business sponsorship: To employ a TSS visa holder, A business must become approved as a Standard Business Sponsor. To obtain a Standard Business Sponsorship agreement, the business must demonstrate lawful and active operation in Australia, including identifying the correct ABN to apply under, registering the business name, supplying Business Activity Statements (BAS) and financial statements, as well as showing a commitment to training Australian citizens and permanent residents and compliance with workplace and other Australian laws.
- Step2: Nomination: Following the SBS application, an employer must nominate a position within their business as one which must be filled by an overseas citizen. There are various requirements to be met:
- A business must demonstrate that they have tested the labour market.
- The salary for the nominated position must meet the requirements
- The introduction of the TSS visa brings with it a new Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy to be paid at nomination stage. The SAF levy will make nominating employees a considerably more expensive undertaking for a business.
- Step3: – Visa application
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS?
- For the Short term stream, the English language tests you can take and the required results are as follows:
Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components. | |
Occupational English Test (OET) | Score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components |
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | iBT total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 3 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 12 for each of the test components of speaking and writing |
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | Academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 30 in each of the test components |
Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 147 in each of the test components |
- For the Medium term stream, the English language tests you can take and the required results are as follows:
Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 5 in each of the test components. | |
Occupational English Test (OET) | Score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components |
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | iBT total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 4 for each of the test components of listening and reading, and a score of at least 14 for each of the test components of speaking and writing |
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | Academic overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 36 in each of the test components |
Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 154 in each of the test components. |
- For the Labour agreement stream, you must have English language skills suitable to perform your nominated occupation. English requirements may be specified in the Labour agreement between your employer and the Commonwealth
HOW CAN KINGSBRIDGE ASSIST YOU?
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