Everything You Need to Know About Australia’s Subclass 482 Skilled Shortage Visa

In recent years, Australia’s Subclass 482 Skilled Shortage Visa has become a key pathway for many skilled workers to secure job opportunities and work towards permanent residency (PR). In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the application criteria, process, and requirements for the 482 visa, helping you fast-track your migration to Australia.

1. Three Key Application Streams for the 482 Visa

The 482 visa, also known as the Skills in Demand Visa, is primarily divided into three application pathways:

• Core Skills Pathway: Ideal for most applicants.
• Specialist Skills Pathway: Designed for high-income professionals.
• Labour Agreement Stream: For applicants whose employers have a formal labour agreement with the government.

2. Basic Requirements for Applying for a 482 Visa

(A) Core Skills Pathway

• Work experience: At least one year of full-time work experience in the past five years (or equivalent part-time/temporary work).
• Occupation: The occupation must be listed on the Core Skilled Occupation List.
• Salary: A minimum annual salary of AUD 73,150 (as per TISMIT standards), and it must meet market wage standards.
• Age: There is no age limit for this stream, but if you’re aiming for PR, you must be under 45 years of age.

(B) Specialist Skills Pathway

• Work experience: Same as the Core Skills Pathway requirement.
• Salary: A minimum salary of AUD 135,000 per year.
• Processing time: Previously 7 days, but now extended to around 20 days.
• Eligible occupations: This pathway is available for specific professions, such as machinery operators, librarians, and technicians. However, not all high-paying occupations are eligible under this stream.

(C) Labour Agreement Stream

• Eligibility: For applicants whose employers have entered into a formal labour agreement with the Australian government.
• Types of agreements:

Industry-specific Labour Agreements

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

Company-specific Labour Agreements

• Skills assessment: Whether you need a skills assessment depends on the specific labour agreement.

3. Common Requirements for the 482 Visa

Regardless of the application stream, all 482 visa applicants must meet the following criteria:

• English proficiency: Applicants need to meet the required scores in English language tests like IELTS or equivalent.
• Health and character checks: You’ll need to meet the health and character requirements.
• Skills assessment: Some occupations may require a skills assessment if they appear on the mandatory skills assessment list.

4. Employer Responsibilities and Requirements

When sponsoring a 482 visa applicant, employers have specific obligations:

(A) Becoming a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)

• Employers must obtain Standard Business Sponsor status.
• They must not have any tax or labour exploitation issues.

(B) Labour Market Testing (LMT)

• Employers must post compliant job advertisements on designated websites, demonstrating that they couldn’t find a suitable candidate locally.
• The advertisement must run for at least 28 days.
• Applicants from certain countries may be exempt from LMT requirements.

5. The 482 Visa Application Process

The 482 visa application process generally involves three steps, which can be done simultaneously:

• Sponsorship Application: Submitted by the employer.
• Nomination Application: Also submitted by the employer.
• Visa Application: Submitted by the employee.

Note: The Labour Market Testing must be completed before submitting the Nomination Application.

6. Visa Duration and Employment Rules

• The maximum duration of the 482 visa is 4 years, with some applicants from specific countries eligible for up to 5 years.
• If you leave your job, you have 180 days to find a new employer and reapply for sponsorship.
• The total time spent unemployed during the visa period cannot exceed 365 days.
• Visa holders must work for their sponsoring employer, or their visa may be cancelled.

7. Dependent Applicants (Spouse and Children)

• Spouse (secondary applicants): They can work unrestricted in Australia.
• Children: They can accompany you and are eligible to attend public schools in many states for free.
• Visa Fees for dependents:

Primary applicant: AUD 3,150

Spouse: AUD 3,150

Children: Approximately AUD 700 each

8. Frequently Asked Questions and Legal Risks

(A) Employees Cannot Pay for Sponsorship

Under Australian immigration law, employees are prohibited from paying employers for visa sponsorship. If this occurs, it may result in visa refusal or legal penalties.

(B) Compliance with Labour Market Testing

Job advertisements must adhere strictly to the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ requirements. Failure to do so could lead to the rejection of your Nomination Application. It’s highly recommended that employers consult with immigration lawyers or agents to ensure their advertisements comply.

9. Advantages of the 482 Visa

• No age limit: While you must be under 45 for the 186 visa, there are no age restrictions for the 482 visa or the HK pathway 189HK/191HK.
• Relatively simple process: The application process is straightforward and processing times are typically shorter.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency: After working for a certain period, you may be eligible to apply for PR.
• Flexibility for dependents: Secondary applicants have no restrictions on work, and children can attend public schools for free.

Conclusion

The Australian 482 Skilled Shortage Visa provides skilled workers with a valuable opportunity to enter the Australian workforce and eventually gain permanent residency (PR). Understanding the correct application pathway, meeting the salary and skills requirements, and ensuring employer compliance are key to a successful application.

If you’re navigating these requirements or have any questions about the latest immigration policies, Riverwood Migration is here to offer expert advice and help you plan your migration journey smoothly.

If you have any questions about the Australian Employer-Sponsored Visa or need professional assistance with your application, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Riverwood Migration. We specialise in providing transparent, professional migration services, helping you achieve your goal of moving to Australia.