Need help with the Subclass 482 TSS Visa? Book a telephonic consultation with our MARA-registered agents (Reg# 2217775).
What Is the Subclass 482 TSS Visa?
Temporary Skill Shortage
The Subclass 482 (TSS) visa allows approved Australian employers to fill genuine skilled positions with overseas workers when suitable local workers are not available in the Australian labour market.
Employer Must Sponsor
Applicants cannot self-sponsor. The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor and must nominate a genuine, full-time skilled position before the worker can apply.
2–4 Year Duration
Visa validity ranges from up to 2 years (Short-Term stream) to up to 4 years (Medium-Term stream), depending on the nominated occupation and applicable stream.
Pathway to 186 PR
Medium-Term stream holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residency via the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after three years of work with the same employer.
TSS Visa Streams
Short-Term Stream
Grants up to 2 years of work rights (or up to 4 years in limited circumstances). The occupation must appear on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). No direct PR pathway under this stream.
Medium-Term Stream
Grants up to 4 years of work rights. The occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Includes a PR pathway via Subclass 186 TRT stream after 3 years.
Employer Obligations
Sponsorship Approval
The employer must obtain or hold approval as a Standard Business Sponsor before they can nominate any overseas worker. Sponsorship approval is valid for 5 years.
Labour Market Testing
Employers must advertise the position locally and demonstrate genuine attempts to source Australian workers before sponsoring an overseas candidate, unless an exemption applies.
Pay Equivalent to Australians
Sponsored workers must be paid at least the market salary rate — equivalent to what an Australian worker would receive in the same role — to prevent underpayment and wage exploitation.
Training Levy
Employers must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy at the time of nomination. The levy amount depends on the employer's annual turnover and the duration of the visa.
How ABEE'S Consultancy Helps
Stream & Occupation Assessment
We identify the correct visa stream (Short-Term or Medium-Term), verify the occupation's ANZSCO classification against STSOL or MLTSSL, and confirm salary and eligibility requirements.
Sponsorship & Nomination Lodgement
We prepare the employer's Standard Business Sponsor application and the complete nomination submission, including labour market testing evidence and market salary documentation.
Visa Application Compilation
We compile and lodge the worker's visa application with all required evidence — qualifications, work history, English results, health and character documents — in a structured, compliance-focused submission.
Documents Required
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Academic qualifications and transcripts relevant to the nominated occupation
- Employment references covering at least 2 years of relevant work experience
- English language test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or equivalent)
- Skills assessment outcome (where required for the nominated occupation)
- Signed employment contract with the sponsoring employer
- Police clearance certificates from all countries of residence (past 10 years)
- Completed health examinations via an approved panel physician
Frequently Asked Questions
The Short-Term stream is for STSOL occupations and grants up to 2 years with no direct PR pathway. The Medium-Term stream is for MLTSSL occupations, grants up to 4 years, and provides a pathway to Subclass 186 PR after 3 years with the same employer.
Yes. Partners (married or de facto) and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants. Secondary visa holders receive the same work and study rights as the primary visa holder.
Not always. Skills assessments are required for certain occupations and nationalities as specified in the legislative instrument. ABEE'S Consultancy checks whether a skills assessment is required for your specific occupation and passport country before lodgement.