Temporary Skill Shortage Visa [Subclass 482C]

This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement. It lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.

You must

- Be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a Labour Agreement

- Have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field

- Have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation

- Work only for your sponsor

- Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this

With this visa

You can

- Work in Australia for up to 4 years for your sponsor or up to 5 years if you are a Hong Kong passport holder

- Study (no government assistance)

- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid

Current temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong will be eligible for an extension of 5 years (from 9 July 2020) in addition to the time theyíve already been in Australia.

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

How long you can stay

This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for the period of time your employer nominates you for. This will be up to a maximum of 4 years, depending on the:

- Terms in the labour agreement

- The validity period of your visa

Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.

For further information on recent changes regarding Hong Kong passport holders read New visa options for Hong Kong

Stay longer

If your visa is expiring and you want to stay in Australia to work  for your existing employer:

- Your employer will need to submit a new nomination

- You must apply for a new visa.

Your employer could also sponsor you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

You might be eligible for other skilled work visas. Use visa finder to find out options for work.

Current temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong will be eligible for an extension of 5 years (from 9 July 2020) in addition to the time theyíve already been in Australia.

Current and future temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong will also 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 family members you can add will depend on whether you currently hold a subclass 457 or TSS visa.

You have not previously held a subclass 457 or TSS visa

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

You currently hold a subclass 457 or TSS visa

If you currently hold a subclass 457 or TSS visa and you are applying for a subsequent subclass TSS visa, the secondary applicants who can be included in your application are::

- One of the members of the family unit, or

- A person who currently holds a subclass 457 or TSS visa that was granted on the basis that they were a member of the family unit at the time, and is currently one of the following:

       - Your spouse or de facto partner

       - Your or your spouse's or de facto partner's child or step-child who is not engaged, married or in a de facto relationship, and is:

                    - Younger than 23

                    - Aged 23 or older and fully or mostly reliant on you or your partner because they cannot work, due to a partial or total physical or mental disability

                    - Is a dependent child of your or your spouse or 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 that the secondary applicant can be a secondary sponsored person.

Secondary applicants who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements.

You canít add family members to your visa application after it has been submitted. 

If you have submitted your visa application and it is being processed by the Department, family members that were not included in your visa application can lodge a subsequent entrant application.

Alternatively, if the Home Affairs have granted you a visa, family members may apply to join you in Australia later as a subsequent entrant.

Cost

The visa costs AUD2,645 for the main applicant and each dependant 18 years and over.

It costs AUD660 for each dependant under 18 years old.

You will have to pay other costs for English language tests, health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa pricing estimator. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.

Apply from

Usually, you can be in or outside Australia when you apply for this visa, and when the Home Affairs decide your application, but not in immigration clearance.

If you are applying in Australia, you must hold:

- A substantive visa, or

- A Bridging visa A, Bridging visa B or Bridging visa C

Processing times

The Home Affairs assess applications on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

- Whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents

- How quickly you respond to any requests for additional information

- How long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided

- How long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements

The Home Affairs might ask for more information. They are not obligated to request further information or documents and can make a decision on the information provided.

Your obligations

You and your family must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.

You must begin your employment within 90 days of:

- Entry to Australia if you are outside Australia when the Home Affairs grant the visa

- The visa grant date if you are in Australia when the Home Affairs grant the visa

Travel

You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.

Visa label

The Home Affairs will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.

If the Home Affairs grant you a visa, they will send you a grant notification letter containing the visa grant number. You can use this number to check your visa details and conditions through VEVO.

Work

Conditions attached to this visa include that you work in Australia only in the occupation you were nominated for, and only for the nominator who has a labour agreement with the Commonwealth.

Be working under a labour agreement

The nominated occupation must be the subject of a labour agreement between the Commonwealth and the nominator. See the labour agreement under which you will be working.

Have 2 years of work experience

You must have had at least 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field unless varied by the terms of the labour agreement.  

Be nominated

You must be nominated.

Meet health requirement

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet the health requirement.

Meet character requirement

You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet the character requirement.

Have a level of English language suitable for your occupation

Have the level of English language suitable for the nominated occupation. English language requirements equivalent to the short-term stream of the TSS visa will generally apply unless the labour agreement provides an English language concession.

Sign the Australian values statement

If you are 18 years of age or older, you must confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you agree to or sign an Australian Values Statement.

Have adequate health insurance

You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Medical insurance helps limit your financial liability.

You must have adequate health cover for the whole of your stay to be granted this visa. Your cover should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Have paid back your debt to the Australian government

If you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.

Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

You might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused while you were in Australia. Check if visa cancellation affects your eligibility.