Subclass 482 Visa (TSS): How to Get Employer Sponsorship in Australia

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa — Subclass 482 — allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers to fill skilled positions where they cannot find suitable Australian candidates. It is the primary employer-sponsored temporary visa in Australia.

Two Streams

The 482 visa has two main streams:

Short-Term Stream

For occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
Maximum stay: 2 years per grant (up to 4 years total with renewal, or 1 renewal for most occupations)
No pathway to permanent residence directly from this stream (though transitional arrangements have applied)

Medium-Term Stream

For occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Maximum stay: 4 years per grant
Pathway to permanent residence via the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after 2–3 years with the same employer

Key Requirements

For the Employer

The employer must be an approved sponsor (or become one). Sponsorship approval requires demonstrating:

A genuine need to fill the position
A commitment to not disadvantage Australian workers
Compliance with Australian employment laws
Ability to meet the salary requirements

The employer must also carry out market salary rate testing — demonstrating that they advertised the role locally and could not find a suitable Australian candidate.

For the Employee

Work in a listed occupation
Hold relevant qualifications and/or work experience
Meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) — currently $73,150 per year (reviewed annually)
Satisfy English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 in each band, or equivalent)
Hold a skills assessment if required for your occupation
Meet health and character requirements

The Nomination and Sponsorship Process

Employer applies to become an approved sponsor (if not already one) — processing takes 1–3 months
Employer lodges a nomination for the specific position — this defines the occupation, location, and salary
Employee lodges the visa application after the nomination is approved (or concurrently)
Total processing times vary significantly — allow 2–5 months from nomination to visa grant in uncomplicated cases

Salary and Conditions

The 482 visa holder must receive at least the TSMIT and must not be paid less than an equivalent Australian worker doing the same job. "Same job, same pay" is strictly enforced — underpayment can result in serious penalties for the employer and cancellation of the visa.

Work and Travel Rights

You can only work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation
You can travel freely in and out of Australia during the visa validity
Family members (partner and dependent children) can accompany you and have full work and study rights

Obligations of the Visa Holder

You must work in the nominated occupation for the sponsoring employer
If you change jobs, your new employer must become an approved sponsor and nominate you — the visa cannot be transferred automatically
If you are made redundant, you have a 60-day period to find a new sponsor, apply for a bridging visa, or arrange to depart
If the employer terminates you, they must report this to the Department of Home Affairs

Pathway to Permanent Residence

Medium-term stream 482 holders can apply for a Subclass 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) under the Transition Stream after:

2 years with the same employer in the same occupation (for most MLTSSL occupations)
Meeting the age requirement (generally under 45 at time of nomination)

The 186 visa grants permanent residence.

Looking to find an employer sponsor? Read the guide on How to Find an Employer Sponsor in Australia.