Employer-Sponsored Visas in Australia: The TSS 482 and Beyond

What Is an Employer-Sponsored Visa?

Employer-sponsored visas allow Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill positions they cannot fill with Australian workers. The two main streams are:

1. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, subclass 482
2. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), subclass 186 (permanent)

TSS Visa (Subclass 482)

The TSS visa grants temporary work rights in Australia, usually for 2–4 years. There are two streams:

• Short-term stream: Occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), up to 2 years (or 4 if an international trade obligation applies). Cannot lead directly to permanent residency through the ENS.
• Medium-term stream: Occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), up to 4 years. Eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the ENS.

Requirements:

• Employer must be an approved standard business sponsor
• Occupation must be on the relevant skills list
• Minimum salary of at least the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT, currently $73,150)
• Skills and qualifications must match the nominated occupation

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

The ENS grants permanent residency. There are three streams:

• Temporary Residence Transition: For TSS holders who have worked for the same employer for at least 3 years
• Direct Entry: For skilled workers who have not held a TSS visa (usually requires a skills assessment)
• Labour Agreement: For workers nominated under a labour agreement

Your Rights as a Sponsored Worker

Sponsored workers have the same workplace rights as Australian workers, including:

• Fair Work Act protections (minimum pay, leave, unfair dismissal)
• Protection from exploitation by your sponsor

You can report your sponsor to the Department of Home Affairs or the Fair Work Ombudsman without it automatically causing visa cancellation.

Changing Employers

If you want to change jobs, your new employer must become an approved sponsor and nominate you. This can be done before your current role ends.