TSS Visa (Subclass 482)
The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa lets skilled workers fill jobs that Australian employers genuinely cannot fill locally. If you're a qualified tradesperson, hospitality professional, IT specialist, or skilled worker — an Australian employer can sponsor you to work here, with a clear pathway to Permanent Residency.
What is the TSS Visa (Subclass 482)?
The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for positions they cannot fill locally. It is one of Australia's primary employer-sponsored work visa pathways.
The 482 visa is particularly valuable for skilled tradespeople, chefs, IT professionals, engineers, hospitality workers, and many other occupations where Australia faces genuine shortages. It is the successor to the popular 457 visa.
Workers in the medium-term stream can qualify for Permanent Residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) after two to three years of work with their sponsor.
The Three Streams of the 482 Visa
Short-Term Stream
For occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Visa stay up to 2 years (or 4 years if a Labour Agreement is in place). Limited renewals and no direct PR pathway.
Medium-Term Stream
For occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Visa stay up to 4 years. Direct PR pathway via the ENS Visa (186) after 2–3 years of work.
Labour Agreement Stream
For workers sponsored under a Labour Agreement between the employer and the Australian Government. Used when standard visa categories don't meet industry needs (e.g., aged care, agriculture).
Eligibility for Skilled Workers
To be nominated and apply for a 482 visa, you (the skilled worker) must:
- Be nominated by an approved standard business sponsor in Australia
- Have the occupation listed on the STSOL or MLTSSL (depending on stream)
- Have at least 2 years of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation
- Meet skills assessment requirements (for some occupations)
- Meet English language requirements (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL etc.)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Be paid at or above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
TSMIT is currently $73,150 AUD per year (indexed annually). Your sponsored salary must meet or exceed this threshold.
Employer Sponsorship Obligations
Before nominating a worker, an employer must be an approved standard business sponsor. Sponsors must:
- Operate a lawful and ongoing business in Australia
- Demonstrate a genuine need for the nominated position
- Show they could not fill the role locally (Labour Market Testing)
- Pay the worker market salary rate — never below the TSMIT
- Not pass on sponsorship costs to the worker
- Comply with all Australian employment and workplace safety laws
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
Dream Door helps employers become approved sponsors and prepares compliant Labour Market Testing evidence, position descriptions, and all nomination documents.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The 482 medium-term stream is one of the most reliable pathways to Australian Permanent Residency. Here's how it works:
Get Sponsored — 482 Visa
Work full-time for your approved Australian sponsor on the 482 Medium-Term Stream visa.
Work 2–3 Years with Sponsor
After working continuously with the same employer for 2–3 years, you may be eligible for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa.
Apply for ENS Visa (Subclass 186) — Permanent Residency
Your employer nominates you for PR. Once granted, you become a Permanent Resident of Australia with full work rights, Medicare, and a path to citizenship.
The 482 Application Process
Employer Becomes an Approved Sponsor
Dream Door prepares and lodges the sponsorship application with the Department of Home Affairs.
Labour Market Testing (LMT)
Employer demonstrates they genuinely tried to find an Australian worker first (advertising requirements). We guide compliance.
Nomination Lodgement
Employer nominates the specific position and the worker. Dream Door prepares all nomination documents and SAF levy payment.
Worker Visa Application
The skilled worker lodges their visa application. We prepare the skills assessment (if needed), English test results, health checks, police clearances, and personal statements.
Visa Grant
Once granted, the worker can commence employment. Dream Door provides post-grant support — including tracking timelines to PR eligibility.
482 TSS Visa FAQs
Yes. Your spouse/de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants. They have the same visa conditions as you and are generally allowed to work and study in Australia without restriction.
You need to demonstrate "vocational" level English. Generally, this means: IELTS overall 5.0 (no band below 4.5), PTE 36 overall (no band below 30), or OET "B" grade in each component. Some exemptions apply for certain passport holders or professions.
Yes, in most cases. Unless a Labour Agreement or an exemption applies, employers must demonstrate they first tried to recruit Australian citizens or permanent residents. This typically means advertising the position on Australian job boards for at least 4 weeks in the 4 months before lodging the nomination. Dream Door helps employers compile compliant LMT evidence.
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is paid by the employer when nominating a 482 visa worker. Small businesses pay $1,200/year of the visa period; large businesses pay $1,800/year. Importantly, employers are legally prohibited from passing this cost to the sponsored worker.
You can change employers, but your new employer must become an approved sponsor and nominate you for a new 482 visa. Your visa is tied to your sponsor, so you must not work for an employer who has not sponsored you. Dream Door can manage this transition smoothly.
Occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are eligible. This includes many engineering roles, IT occupations, healthcare roles, accountants, chefs, some trade occupations, and more. Contact Dream Door for a personalised assessment of your occupation.
Skilled Workers & Employers — Let's Make It Happen
Whether you're a skilled worker seeking sponsorship, or an Australian employer who needs skilled overseas talent, Dream Door's registered migration agents will guide you every step of the way.