A Simple Guide to what you must do PRIOR to applying for a 482 (TSS) Visa Sponsored Job

I am contacted daily by a large number of excited applicants, who have decided that they would like to apply for a job in Australia. Many have watched TV Programmes like 'Wanted Down Under' etc, and quite rightly are energized by the prospect of living in the beautiful country that is Australia.

There are 2 main routes to moving to Australia for a Job.

Firstly to apply for a Permanent Residency Visa through the various pathways offered by the Australian Government, and also the Individual Australian States (some who have slightly different criteria).

Whilst you can these days, apply yourself for PR online, thus in theory saving yourself a lot of money, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/online , I am still of the opinion that using a Registered Migration Agent is the course of action most likely to be as stress free as possible (albeit it will cost more)

The main problem with the PR route for many applicants, is that there is the blanket age restriction of 45 years. Now don't get me wrong, Australia has every right to determine what the cut-off point is, however it does exclude a large number of very qualified men and women from applying for roles. Where in the majority of the world, people work perfectly well into their middle and late 60s, the 45 year cut off seems a little harsh (In my very humble opinion at least).

Secondly there is the 482 (TSS) Visa route, which replaced the 457 Visa last year. This Visa requires an Australian Company to be a registered sponsoring organisation, with various requirements both financially, training-wise and pastorally on them in regards to employees brought in from Overseas (and the fact that the job must have been advertised and offered to Australian & New Zealand Citizens, and those holding PR first).

There is no age limit to the 482, however the rules on Permanent Residency Applications still hold true, so for people over 45 the Visa is only a 'temporary fix', and at some point in the future they will either have to return to their country of origin, or look to other countries who don't have an age limit to PR. I will set out the criteria at the bottom of this post for information purposes, but here I will set out what you should do in order to help me as a recruiter get you a Sponsored Job quickly.

Only if you meet these basic criteria should you apply. You will be wasting your time and effort if you don't, because put quite simply, many others who are applying everyday have already done put in the hard work, and are in possession of the basic elements, and therefore they will be the first to be interviewed by my clients, and will be the ones who get to Australia more quickly!!

So here goes. Get these things done, and you go the top of most Australian Recruiter's Candidate Lists if they are looking Overseas for talent !

1. You have to be Trade Qualified / Professionally Qualified in the role for which you are applying for, and you must meet the ANZSCO requirements for the nominated occupation for which you are applying for. https://archive.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/work/work/skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists
2. You must have at least 2 years post Qualification Full-time Working Experience in a relevant role to the role you are applying for, and also to be honest you must be currently working in that industry ! It is unlikely that if you were a welder 20 years ago, but have been an IT Consultant ever since, that you will be considered a Welder..........
3. You speak English Fluently, and are either a Citizen of the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, or New Zealand, or have passed one of the following English Language Tests ......

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Occupational English Test (OET)

Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

There are different levels of 'pass' dependant on whether you are the 2 year or 4 year TSS Visa:-

• Short term stream (You can stay for up to 2 years or up to 4 if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies).: equivalent to average 5 in IELTS, with no scores under 4.5 in any of the 4 bands
• Medium term stream (Up to 4 years): equivalent to a minimum of 5 in each band of IELTS, an average of 5 is not sufficient

There are Exemptions from English language testing are available for:

• People who have completed at least 5 years of study in English medium
• Intra-company transfers where the base salary is at least AUD 96,400
• Diplomatic/consular appointments

4. To have passed the Relevant Australian Trade Assessment for your nominated occupation

https://archive.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/work/work/skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/assessing-authorities

THERE ARE NO SHORT-CUTS TO THE VISA PROCESS.

Some people who make contact with me think that they know best; they assume they can do this or that, or that a friend or relative says there is a way around one of the basic criteria. THERE IS NOT...... Just do what the Australian Government asks, don't lie or exaggerate, pay your relevant fees etc and hopefully you will be granted your Visa.

If you have done the above steps already, and you are in a Financially strong enough position to make the move 'Down Under', then please get in contact with me.

You can send a Covering Letter and your CV / Resume to [email protected] and one of us will be back in touch with you, or look at some of our latest vacancies on either Indeed

or through our partners PTL Global

GOOD LUCK !!

Criteria for the TSS (482 Visa)

The application for a company sponsorship visa consists of 3 main parts:

1. Sponsorship

Applying for approval as a business sponsor would require the business to provide details to show:

• The business is a lawful, operating business
• The business has the financial ability to meet its sponsorship obligation
• The business has continued to meet the training obligations (only for businesses who have previously been approved as a business sponsor)

2. TSS Nomination

Employers must then nominate one of the three TSS application streams. These are as follows:

a) Short term stream

Under the short term stream:

• The nominated occupation must be on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)
• Applicants must show that they are Genuine Temporary Entrants
• The visa is valid for either 1 or 2 years (unless an International Trade Obligation applies)
• The visa can only be renewed onshore once
• Provides limited pathways for employer sponsored permanent residence

b) Medium term stream

Under the medium term stream:

• The occupation must be on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• A higher English language requirement applies compared to the short term stream
• The visa can be valid for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years
• The visa can be renewed without limitation and applicants may be eligible for permanent employer sponsored options

c) Labour Agreement stream

This stream is for employers who have negotiated a labour agreement with the Australian Government.

3. TSS Visa

The employee would then apply for a visa to work in Australia to fill the nominated position. This would involve providing the following evidence:

• At least 2 years of full-time, relevant work experience. A waiver is available in the Labour Agreements, and
• Meet the ANZSCO requirements for the nominated occupation
• Meet the English language requirement relevant to the stream in which the application is made:
• Short term stream: equivalent to average 5 in IELTS, with no scores under 4.5 in any of the 4 bands
• Medium term stream: equivalent to a minimum of 5 in each band of IELTS, an average of 5 is not sufficient
• Exemptions from English language testing are available for:
• Passport holders from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand
• People who have completed at least 5 years of study in English medium
• Intra-company transfers where the base salary is at least $96,400
• Diplomatic/consular appointments

For the Labour Agreement stream, the requirement is less strict - applicants must show they have the English language skills to perform the occupation, without reference to formal English testing.

There is also the requirement to show there are no medical conditions of public health concern, or would result in a significant cost to the Australian community, or would result in use of scarce medical or community services.

Duration and Conditions

Applying under the Short term stream will result in the TSS visa being valid for either 1 or 2 years (unless an International Trade Obligation applies).

Applying under the Medium term stream will result in the TSS visa being valid for either 1, 2, 3 or 4 years.

TSS Visas are subject to condition 8607:

• The employee can only work for the nominating employer, in the occupation in which they were sponsored
• If registration, licensing or professional membership is required to work in the position, the applicant holds this
• The holder must commence work within 90 days of grant or arrival in Australia; and
• The holder is subject to cancellation if they cease work for more than 60 days

Fees

The application fee will depend on which stream is being applied for:

• Short term stream: $1,175
• Medium term stream: $2,455
• Labour Agreement stream: $2,455