BUSINESS

Temporary Visas


If you’re a business wanting to sponsor a worker temporarily, you might be interested in either the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494).

The Subclass 482 is the main visa that allows Australian and overseas employers to employ approved workers in certain occupations in Australia on a temporary basis. 

If the job is located in regional Australia, employers can consider sponsoring workers on a Subclass 494. Regional Australia includes all of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

SUBCLASS 482

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa

This temporary visa lets an employer sponsor a skilled worker to fill a position they can’t find a suitably skilled Australian to fill. On this visa, applicants can live, work and study in Australia. They can also travel freely to and from Australia.

Basic requirements

The employer must:
The skilled worker must:
  • be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor
  • have the right skills to do the job
  • have at least 2 years relevant work experience in their nominated occupation or a related field
  • meet the relevant English language requirements
The Subclass 482 visa has three different streams:
Short-term stream

Stay

Up to 2 years or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies

Occupation

Must be on the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)

Medium-term stream

Stay

Up to 4 years

Occupation

Must be on either the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL)

Labour agreement stream

Stay

Up to a maximum of 4 years, depending on the terms in the labour agreement

Occupation

Employer must have a labour agreement with the Australian government

Potential pathways
All streams can apply for permanent residency via the Temporary Transition Stream (TRT) of the 186 visa if certain criteria are met.
Are you an employer?

We walk businesses through the steps they need to become an approved sponsor and employ overseas workers. We take both the stress and complexity out of the process, so you can focus on what really matters – your business. Contact us today for a consultation with one of our immigration specialists.

Are you a worker?

We help make the process of applying to work in Australia easy. Drop us a line to get started.

SUBCLASS 494

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

This is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers, who are sponsored by an employer, to live and work in regional Australia. It will commence from 16 November 2019.

Basic requirements

This visa requires people to work for 3 years in regional Australia before they can apply for permanent residency. ‘Regional Australia’ includes all of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

If a visa holder ceases employment with their sponsor, they will be given 90 days to find another employer.

The Subclass 494 visa has two different streams:
Employer Sponsored Stream

Stay

Up to 5 years

Position
  • Must be genuine, full time and likely to exist for five years
  • Annual market salary rate (AMSR) must not be less than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT, currently $53,900)
  • Terms and conditions must be no less favourable than for Australian employees
Employer obligations
  • Skilling Australian Fund charges: $3000 for businesses with turnover of less than $10 million, or $5000 for others 
  • If nominating an existing Subclass 494 visa holder, the Skilling Australian Fund charge is reduced on a pro rata basis, depending on the number of whole years that have elapsed since the visa was granted
  • The new sponsor is expected to assume the sponsorship obligations for family members who already hold a Subclass 494
Worker requirements
  • Must not have turned 45 at time of application
  • Must have a skilled occupation on an applicable list and have valid, suitable skills assessment
  • Must have been employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at level of skill required for the occupation
  • Must have competent English
Labour Agreement Stream

Stay

Up to 5 years

Position/Employer obligations

Employers can source skilled workers in accordance with a labour agreement with the Commonwealth government.

Worker requirements
  • Must not have turned 45 at time of application
  • May be required to demonstrate they have the necessary skills to perform tasks of nominated occupation
  • Must have work experience as specified in the labour agreement
  • Must have English language skills suitable to perform the nominated occupation
Potential pathways
Visa holders may apply to become a permanent resident. A new Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa will be available for those who would have held a Subclass 494 visa for at least 3 years, and who substantially complied with the conditions of the visa.
The Subclass 191 visa will commence from 16 November 2022.
Are you an employer?

We have years of experience helping employers sponsor permanent overseas workers in regional Australia. Speak to one of our business immigration specialists for how we can help.

Are you a worker?

Exciting employment opportunities are available in regional Australia for skilled workers. Contact us today to find out more.

contact us

+61 2 9212 4008

51 Albion Street,
Surry Hills,
Sydney NSW 2010
AUSTRALIA
Monday to Friday
9am - 5:30pm
(or flexible by appointment)

Abacus Visa Pty Ltd. ACN: 147099303
Abacus Visa & Migration Services Pty Ltd. ABN: 58169966036
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