Monday, 9 Jun 2025

A Quick Guide to TSS Visa in Australia

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Australia’s main work visa programme, the TSS visa, has major changes in late 2024.

The Temporary Skill Shortage visa is a vital part of Australia’s migration system that helps businesses find skilled workers of all types. Right now, you can choose between two streams: Short-Term stream costs £1,495 and Medium-Term stream runs £3,115 for primary applicants. Adult dependents pay the same as primary applicants, and child dependents need to pay £375.

Big changes happened when the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the TSS visa on 7 December 2024. This new system brings fresh options like the Core Skills stream for people earning more than £73,150 and a Specialist Skills stream for those making £135,000 or more. The rules changed in November 2023 too – TSS visa holders can now apply for permanent residency after two years instead of three.

Working in Australia or planning to sponsor skilled workers? You’ll want to know everything about the TSS visa before these new changes start. This piece covers all you need to know about this temporary work visa.

Understanding the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa

The TSS visa is the life-blood of Australia’s skilled migration programme. The government designed it to help businesses find workers in sectors of all sizes. This visa creates a clear path for skilled workers to help the Australian economy and gives them a chance at permanent residency.

What is TSS visa Australia?

The TSS visa (subclass 482) came into effect in March 2018. Australian employers can use it to bring in skilled workers from overseas when they can’t find qualified Australians to do the job. Companies use this visa to fill genuine skill gaps in Australia’s job market.

The visa comes in three different streams:

  • Short-Term stream: Lasts up to two years (or four years with International Trade Obligations)
  • Medium-Term stream: Lasts up to four years
  • Labour Agreement stream: Special arrangements for specific employers

Skilled professionals with this visa can work full-time for their sponsor employer. They can travel in and out of Australia as much as they want while their visa is valid. Family members over 18 who are part of the application usually get full work rights too.

Why it was introduced

The government brought in the TSS visa to replace the old Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457 visa in March 2018. This change was part of bigger updates to how temporary skilled migration works in Australia.

The original TSS visa had two main goals. Companies could bring in foreign workers for short-term jobs lasting up to 2 years. They could also fill medium-term roles that needed special skills for up to 4 years.

The new rules were stricter and required:

  • At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the field within the last 5 years
  • Better English language test scores
  • More proof that no Australian workers were available

TSS visa vs SID visa

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa took over from the TSS visa on December 7, 2024. This change shows how Australia’s approach to filling critical job shortages has grown.

The move from TSS to SID helps line up better with what the visa is meant to do – fill ongoing and new skill gaps in Australia. Any TSS applications sent before December 7, 2024, will follow the rules that were in place at the time.

The main changes between these visas include:

  • SID keeps a similar structure but names them Core Skills Stream, Specialist Skills Stream, and Labour Agreement Stream
  • Each stream has clearer rules about who can apply
  • SID gives better options to get permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

People who already have a TSS visa won’t see any changes to their current situation. However, they’ll need to follow the new SID rules when they want to renew their visa or try to become permanent residents.

Who Can Apply for a TSS Visa?

Getting a Temporary Skill Shortage visa means you and your sponsoring employer need to meet specific requirements. The TSS visa will be replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa from December 7, 2024. Understanding these requirements is vital if you plan to apply before this date.

Eligibility criteria for applicants

Your occupation must be on the approved occupation lists to qualify for a TSS visa. You also need to show:

  • At least two years of full-time work experience after getting your qualification in your nominated occupation or related field
  • Skills and qualifications that match the nominated position
  • Real intention to work in the nominated position (especially for the Short-term stream)
  • Good English language skills

English language tests need an IELTS overall score of at least 5.0 with a minimum of 4.5 in each component for the Short-term stream. The Medium-term stream requires a minimum of 5.0 in each component. You can also take other approved tests like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET, or CAE.

You must pass health and character checks, get proper health insurance for your Australian stay, and might need a formal skills assessment based on your occupation.

Employer requirements

Businesses that want to sponsor workers from overseas need to meet several key conditions:

The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor. This means proving their business is legal and active in Australia without any negative information against them.

They must nominate a real position that:

Employers need to test the local labour market by advertising the position locally for at least four weeks. This must happen within four months before they submit the nomination. This shows they tried to find Australian workers first.

They must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy when nominating and show their steadfast dedication to hiring local workers with fair practises.

Temporary skill shortage visa list overview

The TSS visa has three different lists that determine who can apply and what conditions apply:

Each job on these lists has a six-digit ANZSCO code that links to specific skill requirements, qualifications, and duties. Some jobs have “caveats” with extra requirements about work experience, business type, or position details.

Starting December 7, 2024, the Core Skills Occupation List will replace these lists for SID visa applications. TSS applications already submitted will follow the rules that were active when they applied.

reviewing the tss visa application before they submits

Step-by-Step Application Process

The TSS visa application has a well-laid-out three-step process. You must complete each step in order to get approval. A good understanding of each part helps you avoid delays and boosts your chances of success.

Sponsorship approval

The first step starts when an employer becomes an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). The business needs to show:

  • A legally operating business structure
  • Strong finances
  • Following local labour and employment rules

Sponsorship usually lasts 5 years. Businesses less than 12 months old get only 12-month approvals. Accredited sponsors can extend this to 6 years. Employers need to tell how many staff they plan to sponsor and prove why they need that number.

Nomination process

After getting sponsorship approval, employers submit a nomination for their specific job opening. This vital step needs:

The nomination should prove the job is real and not just created to help someone get a visa. You need solid evidence that shows why your organisation needs this role.

Visa application and ImmiAccount

The candidate can apply for their visa through an ImmiAccount once the nomination gets approved. Here’s how:

  1. Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website
  2. Select “482 – Temporary Skill Shortage” visa application
  3. Fill out the online form correctly
  4. Add required documents including:
    • English language test results
    • Skills assessment results (if needed)
    • Identity documents and valid passport
    • Qualification certificates
    • Health insurance proof
    • Character documents including police certificates

The visa form takes several hours to complete properly. Your documents should be in PDF or JPEG format, with each file under 5MB.

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these mistakes that can cause refusal or delays:

  • Missing or wrong information in documents
  • Not showing the job is genuine
  • Missing minimum work experience (2 years)
  • Not meeting English language requirements
  • Wrong Labour Market Testing by employers
  • Late document uploads after applying
  • Breaking conditions from previous visas

The Department of Home Affairs wants applications that are “decision ready” to process them faster. Getting all three steps right is the key to success with your TSS visa application.

What Happens After You Get the Visa

You’ll want to know your rights and responsibilities after getting your TSS visa to make your stay in Australia successful.

Work rights and employer obligations

Your TSS visa lets you work only for your sponsoring employer in the nominated position. Your employer must match the market salary rate that Australian workers get in similar roles. This protects local wages and will give a fair pay structure.

Your sponsoring employer needs to follow these rules:

  • Make sure you stick to your nominated job
  • Keep records of your work terms and duties
  • Help inspectors when they ask
  • Not charge you for sponsorship or migration agent fees

Starting July 2024, you’ll get up to 180 days at a time to find a new sponsor if you leave your job. The total time can’t exceed 365 days during your visa period.

Changing employers or occupations

You can switch employers even though you’re linked to your sponsor. Your new employer must:

  • Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
  • Submit a new nomination for you
  • Get approval before you start working

Starting work before getting nomination approval could break condition 8607 and your visa might get cancelled. A new job role needs both a new nomination and visa application, even with the same employer.

Adding family members

Your spouse/de facto partner and dependent children can join your original application or come later as “subsequent entrants”. Everyone must pass health and character checks. Those above 16 need police clearances.

Your family gets these benefits:

  • Visas that last as long as yours
  • Adults can work without restrictions
  • Everyone can study

TSS visa validity and travel rules

The TSS visa lets you enter Australia multiple times while it’s valid. You can travel freely as long as you keep working for your sponsor. You’ll have 60 days to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or leave Australia if you stop working.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

Many TSS visa holders want to get permanent residency in Australia. The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa provides clear paths to permanent settlement.

Temporary Residence Transition stream

The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream helps TSS visa holders who already work in Australia. We made changes in November 2023 that let TSS visa holders apply after working just two years with their sponsoring employer instead of three years. This stream doesn’t need a skills assessment, which makes it easier for people who have jobs already.

Direct Entry stream

The Direct Entry (DE) stream works best for skilled workers who haven’t spent enough time on a TSS visa in Australia. You’ll need:

  • A job in an occupation from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
  • At least three years of full-time work experience that’s relevant
  • A positive skills assessment from the right authority
  • Good English skills (IELTS 6.0 in each component or equivalent)
  • To be under 45 years old (unless you qualify for an exemption)

Your job must be full-time and last at least two years. You’ll also need a minimum salary of AUD 82,412.57 per year.

Recent changes to PR eligibility

The most important policy updates have made permanent residency easier to get. From July 1, 2022, both short-term and medium-term TSS visa holders can now use the TRT stream. The government also lifted restrictions for Short-Term stream TSS visa applications made within Australia. These changes help keep skilled workers who stayed in Australia during tough times.

Subclass 186 visa age exemptions

You usually need to be under 45 years old, but there are some exceptions:

  • Legacy 457 workers with a 457 visa on or after April 18, 2017, who lived in Australia for at least 12 months between February 2020 and December 2021
  • High-income earners who made over AUD 267,573.29 yearly for three years straight
  • Academic and research professionals working for Australian universities or scientific agencies
  • Medical practitioners who worked in regional Australia for three years

These pathways are a great way to get TSS visa holders settled permanently in Australia.

Conclusion

The TSS visa system plays a vital role in Australia’s immigration landscape. TSS visa’s well-laid-out approach comes with Short-Term and Medium-Term streams that give clear options for different occupations. Recent policy changes have substantially improved the permanent residency pathway. TSS visa holders now just need two years instead of three to qualify.

You should review your eligibility against the occupation lists before applying. Make sure you have two years of work experience and the right qualifications. Employers must get sponsorship approval, show their position is genuine and test the labour market.

Your TSS visa gives you great benefits. You can bring your family members and travel freely while the visa is valid. All the same, you must work only for your sponsoring employer in your nominated occupation.

The switch to the SID visa will definitely bring changes. Your current conditions won’t change if you already have a TSS visa. Both visa types help connect skilled international workers with Australian employers who face labour shortages. They also give paths to permanent settlement if you want to make Australia your home.

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