Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa

The 482 visa has a number of attractions….

• A 482 visa can be lodged in a very quick timeframe, often in a matter of a day or two.
• Similarly, we can lodge Sponsorship and Nomination applications quickly.

This is a huge benefit if an applicant is in Australia on a visa which is about to expire, or an employer is desperate for staff.
482 visas are processed quite quickly

• The subclass 482 visa has the quickest processing time of all the skilled visas, usually between 2 and 6 weeks, including Nomination and Sponsorship approval times.
• Applicants in Australia will be granted a bridging visa to stay here while their application is processed.
• Applicants outside Australia will be granted their 482 visas, usually within 4 to 8 weeks allowing them to travel to Australia and commence employment with their Australian employer.

Applicants have to be formally qualified to qualify for a 482 visa

• Unlike most other skilled visas the 482 visa recognizes past work experience as evidence the applicant has the skills to perform the duties of their nominated occupation.
• For all trade occupations and professional diploma level occupations evidence of at least three years of experience in the applicant’s occupation will suffice.
• For other professional occupations, at least five years is required.

482 visas cost less to apply for than other Australian work visas

While the cost differential has decreased significantly since July 2013, the 482 visa is still the least expensive visa with full Australian work rights, to apply for.

Talk to one of our migration agents about your 482 visa, Sponsorship or Nomination application. We are one of the most experienced and trusted migration consultancies in this area. We have successfully lodged thousands of 482 visa applications, Employer Sponsorship applications, and associated Nomination applications. We know what works!

Applying for a subclass 482 visa involves a three step application process

STEP 1: Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

• To be eligible to nominate employees for 482 visas the employer must apply to become approved as a Standard Business Sponsor.
• All types of business entities can become an approved sponsor, including companies, sole traders, partnerships, and trusts. Following the changes on 1 March, size of the business matters for standard business sponsorship application for some occcupations.
• The business must provide evidence that it is lawfully operating and meets certain prescribed training benchmarks to become an approved sponsor.
• Generally, the employer must demonstrate that 1% of the annual wages of the business is or will be spent on training Australian employees per annum.

STEP 2: Employer Nomination

• The second step in the process is for the employer to nominate the 482 visa applicant for a genuine position with the business, in an occupation which is on Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)..
• The employer must specify the position to be filled, the skills and experience required for the position and the salary rate to be paid.
• The nominee must be paid the market rate for the position and must be employed on equivalent terms and conditions to an equivalent Australian employee at the same location.
• The nominee must also be paid a minimum specified salary for 482 visa purposes. This is called the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) which is currently $53,900.00 plus superannuation per annum.
• The employer must also provide evidence that they have tested the local labor market to ensure there is no suitably qualified and experienced Australian worker available to fill the position.

STEP 3: The 482 visa application

• Once the employer has applied to become an approved standard business sponsor for 482 visas and has nominated the worker for a 482 visa the last step is for the nominee to apply for the 482 visa.
• The 482 visa applicant must demonstrate that they have the skills to perform the role.
• Previous work experience in their occupation will be taken into account and can substitute for formal qualifications.
• Overall IELTS score requirement is 5, with a minimum of 4.5 in each component is required in Short Term Stream,Overall IELTS score requirement is 5.0, with a minimum of 5.0 in each component for Medium Term stream although UK, Irish, USA, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders are exempt from this requirement.

What are the subclass 482 visa training requirements for employers?

In a nutshell, there are two separate requirements depending on whether the business has traded for more or less than 12 months.

1. If the business has been trading in Australia for more than 12 months.

The business must meet one of two benchmarks which are:-

Training benchmark A: recent expenditure to the equivalent of at least two per cent of the payroll of the business, in payments allocated to an industry training fund operating in the same industry as the business, OR
Training benchmark B: recent expenditure to the equivalent of at least one per cent of the annual payroll of the business, in the provision of training to employees of the business who are Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents.
Businesses must provide evidence of meeting the training benchmarks when the business submits its sponsorship application and once approved it must meet the training requirements on an annual basis.

Overseas businesses that do not yet have an operating base in Australia do not need to meet the training benchmarks.

2. If the business has traded for less than 12 months.

• • Businesses trading for less than 12 months do not have to provide evidence of past expenditure on training.
  • However they must provide a written plan of how the business intends to meet one of the training benchmarks above, going forward

Yes you can!!

It is possible to switch your subclass 482 visa from one employer to another employer. You are allowed up to 90 days, from the date the department of immigration is notified that you have ceased working with your current employer to find another employer to take over your 457 visa.

Once your 482 visa is switched over to a new employer the same 482 visa will continue to run until its original expiry date.

Switching a subclass 482 visa from one employer to another usually takes between 2 and 6 weeks to process.

1. If the new employer is already an Approved Sponsor

Your new employer must lodge a new employer nomination nominating you for a position within their business which meets the general requirements for a 482 visa employer nomination.
Once the new nomination is approved you are free to commence work with your new employer.
You must not commence work with your new employer until your new nomination is approved by the department of immigration.

2. If the new employer is not an Approved Sponsor

• Your new employer must apply to become an approved standard business sponsor.
• Once the new employer has applied to become an approved standard business sponsor the new employer can then nominate the you for a position with their business.
• You must not commence working for the new employer until the employer is an approved standard business sponsor and your new nomination is approved.

There are a couple of ways to convert your 482 Long Term Stream visa to permanent residence through your employer.

Depending on where your employer is located you can either be nominated for a subclass 186 permanent residence visa through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or be nominated for a subclass 187 visa through the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

Converting your 482 visa to an Employer Nominated (ENS) 186 visa

There are two pathways to the subclass 186 Employer Nominated visa from the subclass 482 Long Term Stream visa.
1. Temporary Residence Transition stream
Typically, most employees spend 3 years on a 482 visa with their employer and then get their employer to nominate them for a subclass 186 Employer Nominated permanent residence visa.

2. Direct Entry stream

It you have worked for at least three years at a skilled level in your current occupation it is not necessary to wait until you have spent at least two years with your current employer on a 482 visa before you can be nominated for an Employer Nominated visa.

Provided you meet the criteria for a skills assessment in your occupation and you can prove that you have worked for at least three years at a skilled level (usually this means post qualification) in your occupation it is possible for your employer to nominate you for an Employer Nominated ENS visa through the Direct Entry stream.

Converting your 482 Long Term Stream visa to a Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) 187 visa

An employee can only be nominated for a subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa by an employer with a business which operates in Regional Australia.

There are two pathways for an employee on a 482 visa to move to a 187 visa.

1. Temporary Residence Transition stream

Most employees spend two years on a 482 visa with their employer before being nominated for a subclass 187 RSMS visa.

2. Direct Entry stream

It is also possible to be nominated for a 187 visa without spending two years with your employer on a 482 visa.

Applicants working in a trade occupation who can meet the criteria for a skills assessment can be nominated for and apply for a 187 visa as soon as they obtain a positive skills assessment in their occupation.

Applicants working in a professional occupation who have a formal qualification in their occupation or who can prove they have worked in their occupation for either three or five years, depending on their occupation, can be nominated for and apply for a 187 visa straight away, without spending three years with their employer on a 482 visa.

Our No Visa, No Fee Guarantee lies to all Skilled Independent visas!

Whether you are an individual, a family or a corporate employer looking to sponsor employees, when you engage us (and even before you do) you will experience expert, caring service from a team of dedicated migration specialists who think outside the square. We offer solutions others haven’t considered and our visa/sponsorship success rate is exceptional. We know what works and what doesn’t. We are passionate about getting that visa and mad about our customer service. We will communicate with you every step of the way and always answer any query you may have throughout the process.

Australian Express Migration Solutions has one of the largest and most experienced teams of Registered Migration Agents in Australia, Including Indian and Chinese Migration Agents. We specialise in all aspects of migration including visa applications, citizenship applications and visa refusal appeals. We are also experts in new company set ups and the visa options available to company owners and significant investors.

At all times we are bound by the MARA Code of Conduct giving you further peace of mind.

Australia’s immigration laws regulations are complex and ever-changing. We will quickly assess your Australian visa options and get you on the road to your future in Australia.

Getting an Australian visa is one of the greatest gifts you will ever have, but the process is complex and fraught with many pitfalls for the unsuspecting applicant who decides to lodge their own application – we have heard many horror stories and have in fact “rescued” many doomed applications as well. It’s just not worth it. One error, however small, can lead to your visa being refused.

Your dream of a future in Australia can be realised and by using Australian Express Migration Solutions to handle your application you will give yourself the best possible chance of success. It’s what we do, day in day out -and the best part of our day is calling clients to tell them they have been granted their visa!

Application fees for all types of Australian visas have increased ridiculously in recent years, and it makes no sense to fumble around doing your own application and potentially losing a lot of money, and having a visa/sponsorship refusal on your record. Why gamble with your future and your money?

If your application qualifies for our “No Visa, No Fee Guarantee” we will refund our professional fees to you including GST if applicable, in the unlikely event your visa is refused.

Call Australian Express Migration Solutions on +61420-456-862 to arrange a consultation, or book a consultation here and we’ll assess your prospects of success with this visa type (Fees apply).