TSS Employment Visa - S/C 482

Introduction to the 482 visa

If your company is looking to bring foreign workers to Australia, you may be confused about which is the most appropriate visa on which to bring foreign workers. While some companies are tempted to bring employees on a visitor visas to perform work in Australia, a visitor visa does not entitle employees to work and can lead to punitive measures being taken by the Immigration Department.

If an employee will perform work in Australia, the most appropriate visa is almost always the subclass 482 visa due to its shorter processing time and in some cases less onerous documentary requirements. This visa is valid for up to 4 years with no limitations on extension.

Basic Process & Requirements

Step 1 - Sponsorship

Companies wishing to sponsor workers to Australia through the 482 program must first apply for approval from the Immigration Department. Both new and existing companies can apply as well as companies based in Australia and abroad. The main factors that the Australian Immigration Department (DIBP) looks at include:

1. Business must be actively and legally operating

2. Business must have the financial capacity to pay any employees its sponsors

3. Business must be able to demonstrate that it is committed to training Australian workers

4. Business must be of good standing

Step 2 - Nomination

The next step is gaining approval for the position sponsored by the company. This will include:

- Justifying the salary is within market and legislative limits

- Demonstrating the skills to be performed are in line with the occupation being nominated

- Demonstrating that the employee will be employed on fair terms in accordance with Australian labour laws

- Demonstrating a genuine need for the employee

Step 3 - Visa application

 - Visa applicant must have the skills and work experience to perform the position nominated

- Visa applicant should be of good health (exceptions exist) and character

- Visa holder must have sufficient English to perform the role. This will usually be an IELTS score of 5. Exemptions available if salary to be paid is sufficiently high.

- Visa holder must hold health insurance