Subclass 482 Visa Policy Changes effective 7th December 2024

Subclass 482 Visa Policy Changes effective 7th December 2024

On the 7^th of December 2024, the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa subclass 482 replaced the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa.  A consolidated Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) also replaces the previous multiple skill occupation lists previously used for the TSS Visa.

The new Skills In Demand Visa has 3 key streams including:

• Core Skills Stream
• Specialist Skills Stream
• Labour Agreement Stream

All Skills in Demand Visas now allow holders to work in Australia for up to 4 years, an increase from the 2 years previously possible on the TSS Visa. Hong Kong passport holders are eligible to work for up to 5 years.

Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills Stream is for approved employers to sponsor applicants whose occupation is listed on the Core Skills Occupation List who will be paid a minimum salary above the current threshold of A$73,150.

To be eligible you must.

• be nominated to work in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• have at least 1 year 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 or associated entity, unless you are exempt
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this

Specialist Skills Stream

The Specialist Skills Stream is relevant for approved employers to sponsor highly skilled workers looking whose occupations are listed in major groups 1, 2,4, 5 or 6 within the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZCO) with a salary that meets the Specialist Income Threshhold Income of A$135,000.

All other eligibility requirements are the same as for the Core Skills Stream.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement Stream applies to approved employers that have a Labour Agreement in place with the Australian Government.

Changes to work experience requirements

As of 7^th December, other significant changes were made to work experience requirements.  These include:

• Reduction of the work experience requirement from 2 years to 1 year.
• The work experience requirement can be met within 5 years of the application and can include full-time, part-time or casual work.  Full-time work does still remain highly valued but is no longer a compulsory requirement.
• The work experience doesn’t have to be continuous.
• Work experience can now factor in a broader spectrum of experiences, including those from earlier in their careers.

The Skills in Demand Visa still provides a pathway to Permanent Residency as per the previous TSS Visa through the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 Visa.