Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
Australia
Last updated: December 17, 2025
2 years
$1,455
7 months
High
About this Visa
The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) is an employer‑sponsored temporary work visa that allowed Australian businesses to fill genuine skilled labour shortages with overseas workers when suitably qualified Australians were not available.[1][2][3] It was granted under three streams (Short‑term, Medium‑term and Labour Agreement), with stay periods of up to 2 or 4 years depending on the occupation and stream.[2][3][4]
Key Benefits
- Live and work in Australia temporarily for an approved sponsoring employer in a nominated skilled occupation.[1][2][3]
- Include eligible dependent family members, who can generally work and study in Australia.[3]
- Pathway in some Medium‑term cases to employer‑sponsored permanent residence after a qualifying period.[2][4]
Eligibility & Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- Be nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor (or under a labour agreement) for a genuine full‑time position in an eligible skilled occupation on the relevant list (STSOL, MLTSSL or ROL).[1][2][3][4]
- Have at least 2 years of relevant full‑time work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.[1][2][3][4]
- Meet any required skills assessment and licensing/registration requirements for the occupation, where applicable.[1][2][3][4]
- Meet prescribed minimum English language proficiency requirements, unless exempt.[2][3][4]
- Employer must satisfy Labour Market Testing requirements (typically at least two advertisements over 4 weeks in the last 4 months) unless exempt under international trade obligations.[1][2][4]
- Proposed salary must meet or exceed both the market salary rate and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). The role must offer standard terms and conditions.[1]
- Hold, if applying onshore, an appropriate substantive visa or certain bridging visas and have complied with prior visa conditions.[3]
- Meet health, character, and health‑insurance requirements for all applicants.[1][2][3][4]
- CRITICAL: While subclass 482 was, in principle, open to most nationalities, applicants from some countries could be affected by Australian sanctions, security concerns, or health‑risk TB screening requirements under separate laws and policy; such restrictions are not published as a simple fixed list and must be checked at lodgement time.
Financial Requirement
No fixed personal savings threshold in policy, but the nominated salary must at least meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and the market salary rate; applicants must be able to support themselves and their family without recourse to public funds.[1][2]
Documents
- Valid passportCopy of the biographical page of a valid passport for all applicants.
- Employment nomination approvalElectronic nomination approval details from the sponsoring employer for the specific occupation and stream.
- Curriculum Vitae / ResumeDetailed CV showing at least two years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or related field, with references where available.[1][2][4]
- Qualifications and skills evidenceEducational certificates, trade qualifications, transcripts and, where required, positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation.[1][2][3][4]
- Employment referencesSigned references on letterhead from previous employers confirming positions held, duties, hours worked and employment dates to evidence the claimed work experience.[1][4]
- English language test resultValid results from an approved English test (e.g. IELTS, PTE) showing at least the minimum score required for the chosen stream, unless exempt.[2][3][4]
- Health insurance evidenceProof of adequate health insurance covering the primary applicant and any family members for the duration of stay in Australia.[1][2][3][4]
- Police clearance certificatesPolice checks for each applicant aged 16 or over for each country where they have lived for 12 months or more during the last 10 years, to satisfy character requirements.[1][3][4]
- Employer sponsorship and corporate documentsFor the sponsor: evidence of lawful and active business operation, financial records, organizational charts and proof of meeting training/Skilling Australians Fund levy obligations.[1][2][4]
- Labour Market Testing evidenceCopies or screenshots of job advertisements and recruitment records demonstrating that suitably qualified Australians were not available for the position, unless exempt.[1][2][4]
- Health examinations and TB screeningMedical examinations and any required TB screening as directed by the Department, generally mandatory for applicants from higher‑risk countries or staying longer‑term.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Please verify all information with official government sources and consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.