Australia is on the cusp of a significant migration reform, one that promises to reshape the future of skilled workers and the businesses that employ them. With the Department of Home Affairs’ latest announcement, the journey to permanent residency (PR) for holders of the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) Sponsorship visa is about to become more accessible.
What Employers Need to Know about the Sponsorship Visa Changes
The forthcoming changes mark a pivotal development for Australian businesses that rely on skilled international talent.
Broadening the Talent Pool
Come 25 November 2023, the scope for nominating skilled workers for PR expands beyond current limitations. Employers will have the ability to nominate workers from all TSS visa streams.
In practice this means that there are no more occupation restrictions or occupation lists: if your workforce holds 482 TSS visas, you will have the option to nominate them. At the moment this is restricted to certain occupations in high demand (those on the Medium and Long Term Skills Shortage List (MLTSSL)).
The Department of Home Affairs believes this will help employers “to attract and retain the skilled workers Australia needs”. We know that this will dramatically broaden the talent pool from which you will be able to recruit and will help you plan strategically for growth, expansion or simply be able to cope with current demands.
What Skilled Workers Need to Know about the Sponsorship Visa changes
For individuals currently on a 482 TSS visa or contemplating one, these reforms create a pathway to making Australia a permanent home.
Permanent Residence for all 482 visa holders
Regardless of your occupation, if you apply for a 482 TSS visa or if you already have one, you will have the possibility to apply for the permanent Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Visa via the Temporary Residence Transition Stream, regardless of your occupation.
If your occupation is on the ANZSCO Code there will be a pathway, but you must meet all other eligibility criteria for the 186 visa and that includes your employer agreeing to nominate you.
A Permanent Visa faster
You will also be eligible for the 186 visa faster: as of today you need to work in the same position while holding a 482 visa for 3 out of the last 4 years. From 25 November 2023 this will change to 2 out of the last 3 years. Even if you already had a pathway to a permanent 186 visa, your occupation being on the MLTSSL, you will benefit from these changes as you will qualify faster.
What is not changing
- These changes are applicable to the Temporary Residence Transition Stream only (TRT). If you want to apply for a 186 visa via the Direct Entry Stream, you still will have to nominate an occupation on the MLTSSL.
- If you hold another type of work visa such as a Graduate Visa 485, a Regional Employer Sponsored Visa 494, a Training Visa 407, or others, you can’t apply for a 186 visa via the TRT. This has never been possible and will continue not to be possible.
- The maximum age for a primary applicant of the 186 visa is still 45 years, with very few exceptions. This has not changed.
These changes are a true transformation of the Skilled Migration program, for both employers and skilled workers in Australia. For employers, the opportunity to harness global talent is being significantly enhanced. For skilled workers, the dream of becoming permanent residents is closer to reality.
At Bravo Migration, we’re poised to assist both employers and employees in navigating these positive changes. Our experience and expertise, having been on the market for 15 years, ensure you’re well-equipped to take advantage of the evolving Australian migration landscape.
If you hold a 482 visa or have a solid offer please contact us for a Free Discovery Call with one of our agents.
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