The 2024/25 Federal Budget saw many changes to immigration announced. Among the changes is the reduction in the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage or TSS (subclass 482) visa.
Currently, the subclass 482 visa requires applicants to have worked in their nominated occupation or a related field for at least two years in the five years prior to applying for the visa.
From 23 November 2024, subclass 482 visa applicants will only be required to have one year of full-time work experience. This reform will apply to all streams: the short-term stream, the medium-term stream and the labour agreement stream.
However, it should be noted that this reduction doesn’t change the other skill requirement that forms part of the subclass 482 visa conditions. Applicants will still be required to have the skills, qualifications and employment background that are considered necessary to perform the tasks of the nominated occupation. While there are occupations where a certain number of years work experience can substitute for the qualification, there are many licensed professions such as medical practitioners, lawyers, nurses, engineers, etc where a bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification is mandatory. In addition, registration or licensing may also be required.
The work experience requirement reduction will make it easier for newer professionals in various industries to qualify for a subclass 482 visa. This will also be of great benefit to industry sectors that have experienced rapid growth and as a result are facing acute skills shortages.
This change along with the other changes announced to immigration aim to streamline Australia’s visa application process and work towards making Australia a more attractive destination for skilled workers.
While this initiative has been earmarked to be effective later in the year, employer sponsors and potential employer sponsors need to be mindful that the reduction in work experience requirement will need to be passed in legislation for the change to be formally implemented. There may or may not be a delay in the passage of legislation. Consequently, employer sponsors will be wise to factor this into their recruitment strategy.
What is the Temporary Skill Shortage or TSS (subclass 482) Visa?
The Temporary Skill Shortage or TSS (subclass 482) visa enables employers to address labour shortages by employing overseas workers. Employers can sponsor suitably skilled foreign workers to fill a position where local talent is not available.
The subclass 482 visa is made up of three streams: the short-term stream, the medium-term stream and the labour agreement stream. Applicants must have an occupation that is listed on the relevant occupation list to be eligible for this visa.
To learn more about the Temporary Skill Shortage or TSS (subclass 482) visa or any other aspect of migration to Australia, speak to the experienced team of registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia. Book a consultation.
