Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa
482 Visa
What is TSS visa?
The Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa is a temporary visa that allows employees to work in Australia for a nominated employer on a full-time basis for up to four years.
The TSS (482 Visa) Visa replaced the 457 Visa in March 2018 and is now the most common way for companies to sponsor employees in Australia.
The purpose of the 482 TSS Visa is to fill the employment gaps in the Australian labour market for occupations that are currently unable to be filled by appropriately qualified and skilled Australian workers.
The types of occupations eligible for the TSS visa can be found on the lists below:
Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Application Process for 482 Visa
Here are the 4 steps employers and employees have to go through during the application process.
Standard Business Sponsorship
Employer applies to be a sponsor (allow 1 month)
Labour Market Testing
The Employer must complete at least 4 weeks of labour market testing
Nomination
The Employer nominates employee (allow 1-2 months)
Apply for Visa
The Employee applies for TSS Visa (allow 1-2 months)
Employer Eligibility
An employer is typically eligible to nominate an employee if it:
- Is an Approved Standard Business Sponsor
- Has a genuine position available;
- Conducts labour market testing* to show that a suitable Australian worker is not available for the position; and
- Will pay the annual market salary to the nominated employee.
Labour Market Testing must have been undertaken:
- For a period of four weeks; and
- Not more than four months before the date the nomination is submitted.
Employee Eligibility
In general, an employee is eligible for the TSS visa if they:
- Have been successfully nominated by approved employer for an occupation on one of the Skills List
- Have worked in the nominated occupation for at least two years;
- Meet English Language proficiency requirement
- Have health insurance; and
- Meet the Health, Character, Visa History and Genuine Temporary Entrant
Occupation Eligibility
The nominated occupation must be on one of the following:
- Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
- Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Book a Migration Consultation
We have a ton of information on our site about various visa options and FAQs that answer most of our visitors’ questions, but if you’re still not sure where to start or you need a personalised step by step walkthrough, then schedule a call with one of our Registered Migration Agent.
Simply follow the link below and you’ll be able to pick the date & time that fits your schedule.

482 Visa Streams
Short-term Stream
Up to two years (or up to four years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO)
For employees: from $1,330 AUD
For employers:
- $420 AUD Sponsorship Application; and
- $330 AUD Nomination; and
- Skilling Australians Fund Levy
To be eligible for this visa, the employee must:
- Be nominated by an approved sponsoring employer for the specific occupation
- Have at least two years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or related field
- Have a positive relevant skills assessment (unless eligible for an exemption)
- Work only for the nominated employer (unless eligible for an exemption)
- Meet the English language proficiency requirement (unless exempt)
- Meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement
- Meet the Health and Character Requirements
- Maintain Health Insurance
- be an Approved Standard Business Sponsor
- have a genuine position available;
- Conduct labour market testing to show that a suitable Australian worker is not available for the position; and
- pay the annual market salary to the nominated employee.
- Your existing employer submits a new nomination; and
- You apply for a new visa
You may be able to apply for Permanent Residence if:
Your employer decides to sponsor you for either the:
-
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186); or
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
You may be able to include family members if:
- They are a member of the family unit; and
- You have not previously held a subclass 457 or TSS visa
You can apply for this visa from:
- Inside Australia, if you hold a substantive visa or Bridging Visa A, B, or C; or
- Outside of Australia
The processing time for this visa is:
- Between one and two months
Medium Term Stream
The duration of the visa is:
Up to four years
The base fee for the visa is:
For Employees: from $2,770 AUD
For Employers:
- $420 AUD Sponsorship Application; and
- $330 AUD Nomination; and
- Skilling Australians Fund Levy
To be eligible for this visa, employees must:
- Be nominated by an approved sponsoring employer for the specific occupation
- Have at least two years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or related field
- Have a positive relevant skills assessment (unless eligible for an exemption)
- Work only for the nominated employer (unless eligible for an exemption)
- Meet the English language proficiency requirement (unless exempt)
- Meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement
- Meet the Health and Character Requirements
- Maintain Health Insurance
To be eligible to sponsor an employee, the employer must:
- be an Approved Standard Business Sponsor
- have a genuine position available;
- Conduct labour market testing to show that a suitable Australian worker is not available for the position; and
- pay the annual market salary to the nominated employee.
You can extend the visa if:
- Your existing employer submits a new nomination; and
- You apply for a new visa
You may be able to apply for Permanent Residence if:
Your employer decides to sponsor you for either the:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186); or
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
You may be able to include family members if:
- They are a member of the family unit; and
- You have not previously held a subclass 457 or TSS visa
You can apply for this visa from:
- Inside Australia, if you hold a substantive visa or Bridging Visa A, B, or C; or
- Outside of Australia
The processing time for this visa is:
- Between one and two months
Frequently Asked Questions
In case you don’t find an answer to your question, feel free to consult with one of our agents.
Can 482 visa holder apply for permanent residency?
Can 482 visas be extended?
Can 482 dependent visa holders work?
How long can a 482 visa be granted for?
Do I need an employer to sponsor me to apply for a TSS visa?
What is the TSS visa?
How do you apply for a TSS visa?
Can I include family members on the TSS visa?
GET IN TOUCH
In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
Contact details
Give us a call
Argentina: (11) 7368 - 8134
Fiji: (679) 922 3842
Philippines: 63 968 363 5296
United Kingdom: 02039 483 865
Send an email
Gold Coast Office
2242 Gold Coast Highway,
Mermaid Beach, QLD, 4218
UK Office
5 Merchant Square
London, W2 1AY, United Kingdom
(By Appointment Only)