Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa

This visa will replace current 457 Temporary Work Visa from March 2018.

Significant changes compared with 457 Temporary Work Visa

• Any new 457 applications lodged from 19 April 2017 onwards will have to have their occupation on the STSOL or MLTSSL occupation lists.
• If you applied a 457 visa after 18 April 2017 off the STSOL list, it can only be granted for 2 years. There will be one (only) further extension allowed after that for another 2 years. You will not be allowed to apply for a permanent 186/187 visa under that occupation if it is on the STSOL.
• If you applied a 457 visa after 18 April 2017 off the MLTSSL list, it can be granted for 4 years. You will be able to be apply for a permanent 186/187 visa after 3 years on a 457 visa if that company decides to nominate you.
• From March 2018 the new TSS visa will have replaced the 457 visa. You will need to have 2 years work experience before applying and your occupation will have to be on the STSOL or MLTSSL lists. If you are on the STSOL list you will also have to show you only want to stay in Australia temporarily.
• From March 2018 you need to have your occupation on the MLTSSL occupation list to apply for company/employer sponsored permanent residence. You will also need to commit to working for the company for 3 years, have an IELTS of 6+ and be under 45 years of age.

Some consequences of this:

1. Occupations such as cook and restaurant manager are on the STSOL list. While you can still be sponsored for 2 years by a restaurant on the (TSS) visa and gain another 2 year extension, you can no longer apply for a permanent visa unless it is added to the MLTSSL list for you being in a designated regional area.
2. Retail manager is still available in regional areas for the 187 visa at the moment. But from March 2018 this will not be the case, as this occupation is not on the MLTSSL list.
3. Most student graduates will not be eligible for temporary or permanent company sponsorship after March 2018 as you require at least 2 years FULL-TIME WORK EXPERIENCE first.

How it Works

As an Employee:

• be nominated to work in an approved occupation on the STSOL or MLTSSL lists.
• meet the skill requirements for the nominated occupation
• meet registration and licensing obligations
• speak Functional English
• have been nominated by an approved business.

As a Sponsor

To become a sponsor, you must be able to show that your business:

• is a lawfully operating business
• has no relevant adverse information against your business.
• Australian businesses must also demonstrate their commitment to employing local labour as well as non-discriminatory recruitment practices.
• Complete Labour Market Testing, this would require employers to show that they have advertised the position to be filled and show that a local is not available to fill the position.

Requirements

• There is no age limit for this visa.
• Your nominated occupation is on the list of approved occupations (STSOL or MLTSSL lists from DIBP).
• You will have to show evidence of your Skills, Qualifications and relevant Work Experience (Work References).
• You have an up-to-date Health Examination.
• You can show a minimum of English Level IELTS 6 in all components
• Evidence of adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia

Visa Period

• There will be 2 streams for the TSS visa - a short-term stream of 2-years and a medium-term stream of 4-years.
• The short-term stream can only be renewed only once.
• The medium-term can be renewed or may also lead to a permanent visa.

Looking for Permanent Residence earlier than 2 years ?

TSS visa holders who meet the requirements for skilled migration, or direct entry to an employer sponsored visa, can seek permanent residency down those pathways at any stage they become eligible. If you are looking to make your stay in Australia permanent and are eligible to obtain a skilled visa then added security of obtaining permanent residence deserves serious consideration.