TEMPORARY SKILL SHORTAGE VISA (SUBCLASS 482)

Cost

The visa costs AUD 1,495.00 for the main applicant and for each dependent 18 years and older. (ISEMS charges are additional). For each dependent under 18 years old, the cost is AUD 375.00. (ISEMS charges are additional).
For dependents under 18 years old, the fee is AUD 780.00 each.
Additional costs may include English language tests, health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

To calculate the cost of your visa, use the Visa Pricing Estimator.
Please note, the estimator does not include these additional costs.

How long you can stay

This is a temporary visa. The duration of your stay in Australia depends on the period your employer nominates you for. The maximum stay is:

• 2 years in most cases.
• 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies, with the maximum length depending on the specific ITO relevant to your circumstances.
• 5 years if you hold a Hong Kong passport.

For further information on recent changes regarding Hong Kong or British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders, please refer to Visa options for Hong Kong - update.

International Trade Obligation (ITO) Criteria

Broadly, an ITO applies if:

• • You are an intra-corporate transferee:
    • Your company is based in a World Trade Organization (WTO) Member country or territory.
    • You hold an Executive or Senior Manager position.
    • You are from a WTO Member country or territory.
  • You are a citizen/national/permanent resident of the United Kingdom and:
    • An intra-corporate transferee.
    • An independent executive or contractual service supplier.
  • You are a citizen/national of China and:
    • An intra-corporate transferee.
    • An independent executive or contractual service supplier.
  • You are an intra-corporate transferee from a Singapore-based company and a Singapore citizen/permanent resident.
  • You are an intra-corporate transferee from a Thailand-based company and a Thai citizen/national.
  • Your Thailand-based business intends to start operations in Australia:
    • You hold an Executive or Senior Manager position.
    • You are a Thai citizen/national.
    • You are a contractual service supplier and a Thai citizen/national.

Note: The above ITO exemptions do not apply for nominations lodged under a labor agreement or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494).

Additional Information

For more details on ITOs, refer to the following resources:

• Trade and Investments - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
• The Australian-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) on the DFAT website

The A-UKFTA, which entered into force on 31 May 2023, includes mobility provisions detailed in:

• Chapter 11 Temporary Entry for Business Persons | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Annex IV Specific Commitments on Temporary Entry for Business Persons - Schedule of Australia | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Stay Longer

If your visa is expiring and you wish to continue working for your current employer:

• Your employer will need to submit a new nomination.
• You must apply for a new visa.

Your employer may also be able to sponsor you for permanent residence through the:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)

You may be eligible for other skilled work visas. Use our visa finder to explore your options.

Current temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong are eligible for a 5-year extension (effective from 9 July 2020) in addition to the time already spent in Australia.

Both current and future temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong will have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.

Include Other Family Members

You can include other family members (called 'secondary applicants') in your visa application. The eligible family members you can add will depend on whether you currently hold a subclass 457 or TSS visa.

If You Have Not Previously Held a Subclass 457 or TSS Visa

If you have not previously held a subclass 457 or TSS visa, you can include secondary applicants who are members of your family unit.

If You Currently Hold a Subclass 457 or TSS Visa

If you currently hold a subclass 457 or TSS visa and are applying for a subsequent subclass TSS visa, you can include:

• • Members of your family unit, or

A person who currently holds a subclass 457 or TSS visa that was granted based on their status as a member of your family unit at that time, and who is currently one of the following:

• Your spouse or de facto partner.
• Your or your spouse's/de facto partner's child or step-child who is:
  • Under 23 years old.
  • 23 or older and mostly reliant on you or your partner due to a partial or total physical or mental disability.
• A dependent child of your or your spouse's/de facto partner's child or step-child.

To be granted the visa, secondary applicants must be included in the main applicant's nomination, or provide written evidence that the sponsor who nominated the main applicant agrees to include the secondary applicant as a secondary sponsored person.

Secondary applicants must meet health and character requirements.

Important:

• You cannot add family members to your visa application after it has been submitted.
• If you have already submitted your visa application and it is being processed, family members not included in the initial application can lodge a subsequent entrant application.
• If your visa has been granted, family members may apply to join you in Australia later
  as subsequent entrants. Top of Form

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Apply From

You can apply for this visa either while you are in Australia or outside Australia, but not while you are in immigration clearance.
If applying from within Australia, you must hold:

• A substantive visa, or
• A Bridging visa A , Bridging visa B , or Bridging visa C

Processing time

To estimate processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This tool provides processing times for recently decided applications. Please note, it serves as a general guide and may not reflect your specific application.

Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary depending on individual circumstances, including:

• Whether a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents, has been lodged.
• The speed of response to any requests for additional information.
• The time required to perform checks on the supporting information provided.
• The duration for receiving additional information from external agencies, particularly concerning health, character, and national security requirements.

Additional information may be requested, but there is no obligation to request further information or documents. Decisions may be made based on the information already provided. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all relevant supporting and evidentiary documentation is included with the application.

Obligations

The applicant and their family must adhere to all visa conditions and comply with Australian laws.

Employment must commence within 90 days of:

• Entering Australia, if the visa is granted while outside Australia.
• The visa grant date, if the visa is granted while in Australia.

Refer to the visa conditions attached to this visa for more details.

Travel

The visa allows for unlimited travel outside Australia and return while it remains valid.
Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa's validity.

Visa Label

The visa will be digitally linked to the passport, and a physical visa label will not be issued.
Upon visa grant, a grant notification letter containing the visa grant number will be sent. This number can be used to check visa details and conditions through VEVO.

Work

Conditions attached to this visa include working in Australia only in the nominated occupation and solely for the nominating business or, in some cases, an associated entity of the business.

Family members can also live, study, and work in Australia.
For more details on the conditions of this visa, refer to the relevant information.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Age Requirement

There is no age requirement for this visa.

Visa Requirements

If applying from within Australia, it is necessary to hold:

• A substantive visa, or
• A Bridging Visa A , Bridging Visa B , or Bridging Visa C

Compliance with Previous Visa Conditions

If in Australia at the time of the decision, substantial compliance with any conditions attached to the last substantive visa or bridging visa held is required.

Nomination by an Approved Sponsor

Before applying for a TSS visa, the proposed employer must submit a nomination application. This is only possible if the employer is an approved sponsor or has submitted an application to become a Standard Business Sponsor.
The employer must nominate the applicant for an occupation listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

Employment Requirements

• Australian Business Sponsor

The applicant must be employed:

• In the nominated occupation, and
• By the sponsoring business or an associated entity.

• Overseas Business Sponsor

The applicant must be employed:

• In the nominated occupation, and
• By the sponsoring business only (not an associated entity).

Exemptions to this criterion may apply for certain occupations.

Skills, Qualifications, and Employment Background

As the primary visa applicant, it is necessary to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience required for the nominated occupation.

Some applicants must undergo a skills assessment to prove this—check this

Even if a skills assessment is not mandatory, other evidence must be provided to show that the requirements are met—see "Skills and Occupation Documents"

Medical Practitioners:
If the nominated occupation is a medical practitioner, qualifications must be recognized by the relevant Australian authority for medical practitioner registration to practice as a medical practitioner.

Relevant Work Experience

A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field is required.
This work experience must be gained while performing tasks at the same skill level as the nominated occupation or in a related field.
Experience in a related field should involve tasks that are the same as or closely related to those of the nominated position, as outlined in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

Generally, the experience should be full-time and acquired within the last 5 years. The experience does not need to be continuous, and part-time work may be considered equivalent. Casual work is not considered.

Alternative ways to demonstrate relevant work experience may include:

• Experience gained as part of a Masters or PhD for relevant occupations, such as medical and research fields.
• Experience obtained through formal arrangements such as clinical or industry placements, internships, or apprenticeships.

For formal arrangements:

• If part of a CRICOS registered course, the study must be relevant to the nominated occupation (e.g., medical practitioners can count experience from internships or final year training, including clinical placements).
• If not part of a CRICOS registered course, the study must be at the skill level of the relevant occupation.

Health Insurance Requirements

Primary and secondary visa applicants are responsible for their own healthcare costs while in Australia. Health insurance can help manage these expenses.

Adequate health cover must be maintained for the entire period of stay if the visa is granted. Insurance should include coverage for medically necessary treatment and transport. Maintaining adequate health insurance ( is a visa condition.

Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements

Certain countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. For more information on these agreements, consult ISEMS.

Health Requirement

It is important to meet the requirement listed here for you and any other family as well.

Character Requirement

Family member who are applying along with you, and are above 16yrs, must also meet the character requirement. Family members who are not accompanying you, will also have to meet the requirement. Check the list here

Genuine Temporary Entrant

Applicants must be genuine in their intention to stay temporarily in Australia and comply with the visa conditions. This means demonstrating genuine temporary entrant (GTE) status.

Compliance with Sponsorship Regulations

Applicants must not have asked for, offered, received, or provided a benefit in exchange for sponsorship in the past 3 years. This includes any actions related to sponsorship, whether or not the event occurred. Any past conduct may be disregarded if deemed reasonable by the Minister.

English Language Proficiency

Primary visa applicants must meet specific minimum English language standards unless exempt

Sign the Australian values statement

If you are above 18yrs, you must have read and understood:

a. Have read or been explained, the Life in Australia booklet

b. Have to confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws, when you sign or accept the Australian Values Statement.

Repay your debt to the Australian government

If you or anyone from your family including those of who are not applying for visa, owe any money to Australian government, you or they, must pay the debts or arrange for it to be paid back.

Should not have any previously refused or cancelled visa application

Your history will be checked before making a decision on your application. This means you may not be eligible for this visa in case there were any previously refused or cancelled visa application.

You may still apply for a permanent visa in some circumstances, even if you had previously cancelled or an application that was refused. You can see the limitations here

If you are applying for Visa from outside of Australia, you can check here

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Before you apply
Before submitting your application, you may need to organize several items. These could involve completing a skills evaluation, taking an English language proficiency test, or undergoing a health assessment. Additionally, seeking assistance with your application might be beneficial.

Gather your documents
To verify your personal information, you might need to present papers that demonstrate your identity, character, abilities, professional background, health status, and proficiency in the English language.

Apply for the visa
You apply for this visa online.

After you apply
You will be informed about your application and accompanying documents. Please review the necessary steps you can and are required to take following your application submission.

Visa outcome
The decision on your visa application can be made whether you're inside or outside Australia. Before a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa is granted, your employer's nomination must be approved. You'll be informed in writing about the outcome, including visa details if approved, or reasons for refusal and potential review rights if denied. The application fee is non-refundable in case of refusal.

For a detailed, step-by-step guide to the application process, please contact ISEMS.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Arriving in Australia
Before You Depart

Ensure you have the following:

• • A valid visa for entry into Australia
  • A valid passport or other acceptable travel document

At the Border

Upon arrival in Australia:

You must complete the Incoming Passenger Card , which will be provided to you onboard.
An automated process using facial recognition technology and E-Passports through SmartGate will enable to expedite your exit from the airport.

While in Australia

What you can do when you have this visa

• Reside and work in Australia for the duration specified by your visa.
• Pursue studies independently, as government funding is not available.
• Travel to and from Australia without restriction for the entire visa period.
• If you qualify, you can submit an application for permanent residency.
• Your visa will include specific conditions. To review these, refer to your grant letter or access VEVO.

What you must do when you have this visa

Your family and you are required to comply with all visa requirements and adhere to Australian regulations.

You need to commence your job within 90 days following your:

• • arrival in Australia if your visa was issued while you were outside the country,
  • visa approval date if it was granted while you were in Australia.

For further details about the conditions associated with this visa, please refer to the relevant information.

Tell us if things change

Please inform us about the following updates:

• Any modifications to your phone number, email, address, or passport details
• Changes regarding your employer
• Alterations in your employment status, such as promotions or variations in working hours
• Updates in your relationship status
• The birth of a child

Refer to the appropriate actions if your circumstances change.

See how long you can stay

This visa is for a limited duration. Generally, you may remain in Australia for:

• a maximum of 2 years in typical situations
• up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) is applicable.

To determine your departure date, refer to your grant letter or check through VEVO.

Staying longer

If you wish to continue working for your employer in Australia after your visa expires:

• You must apply for a new visa
• Your employer must submit a new nomination.

It is not possible to extend your visa to stay longer. You might be eligible for permanent residence sponsorship from your employer via the following:
Other skilled work visas may be available to you, such as:

• The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• The Employer Nomination Scheme , or both.
• Examine your options for an Australian work visa.

Traveling on Your Visa

This visa allows for multiple entries, so you can leave Australia and return as often as you like while the visa remains valid. Note that time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa's validity.
Check your visa conditions in VEVO for more details.

Proving Your Visa​

To confirm your visa status and view your conditions, use VEVO. For proof of your international travel records, request your movement history.

Working

Usually, the company that sponsored you is the only one you can work for. You may work for the Australian company that is your sponsor or any of its affiliated companies.
Australian workplace law provides protection for individuals who work in Australia. View your rights and benefits at work.
Find out more about the work-related conditions of your visa.

Options if you have lost your job

You have up to 180 days to find a new job or make plans to leave Australia if you have been laid off and are currently unemployed.

Bringing the family

As a subsequent entrant , secondary applicants may submit an application for their own TSS visa.

Leaving Australia

Before Departure

Ensure your travel documents are in order:

• You must possess a valid passport or an acceptable travel document to depart Australia and return.

At the Border

Fast Exit Option

An automated process that utilizes facial recognition technology and your ePassport is available. Using SmartGate could expedite your exit from the airport.

After you leave​​

Claiming Your Superannuation (if leaving Australia permanently)

If you are leaving Australia with no plans to return, you may be eligible to claim your superannuation.

You likely have funds in a superannuation account if you:

• Are 18 years old or older
• Earned AUD 450 or more before tax in a month while working in Australia

Learn how to access your superannuation.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.