Goodbye 457 visa, hello TSS visa

In March 2018, the 457 visa was abolished and replaced by Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa. Here is what you need to know about TSS visa.

TSS visa (482) replacing Temporary work skilled visa (Sponsorship visa 457)

The Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (Subclass 457) program was designed to enable employers to address labour shortages by employing genuinely skilled workers where they cannot find any relevant locals skilled workers. In March 2018, the 457 visa will be abolished and replaced by Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482).

What do you need to know about TSS visa?

• TSS visa will support businesses in addressing genuine skill shortages. Compared to 457, TSS will contain a number of safeguards which prioritise Australian workers over the global talent pool.

• 216 occupations have been removed from the list, leaving 435 eligible occupations, many of which have new limitations and caveats.

• Under the new TSS visa, there are three streams:

1. Medium-term stream – In case your occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) - you will be granted a visa for four years, with eligibility to apply for permanent residence after three years.

2. Short-term stream - In case your occupation is on the on the MLTSSL Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) - you will be granted a visa for two years. (in some cases, up to four years can be granted)

3. Labour Agreement stream – In case 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.
   

• In comparison to 457, some of the requirements for TSS have been raised:

• Minimum of two years of relevant work experience is required.

• Applicants must demonstrate higher proficiency of English language. Under TSS there are no English language exemptions for applicants earning a salary higher than $96,400.

• Police clearances are mandatory for countries you spent 12 months or more during the last decade.

• Labour market testing in now mandatory. (an exemption may be applied in some cases)

• Employers must pay the Australian market salary rate with a minimum of $53,900

• $1200 to $1800 contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund must be paid by the employer per visa holder.

If you are unsure how these changes might affect you, please give us a call.

There are frequent changes to the TSS visa, find out about these changes in our Blog.

The LifeinAus Team