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The Australian immigration system is going through major changes, especially in skilled migration. At the center of this is the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), which helps address labor shortages and provides a potential path to permanent residency.
Understanding the Subclass 482 TSS Visa
The TSS visa, which replaced the subclass 457 visa, operates under three main streams:
- Short-term Stream: This 2-year visa is for occupations listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL).
- Medium-term Stream: A 4-year visa for occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).
- Labour Agreement Stream: For employers and workers who do not meet the standard visa regulations.
Recent Changes & Future Reforms
The TSS visa program has seen significant changes to better meet Australia’s workforce needs, including:
- Raising the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $53,900 to $70,000.
- Offering a pathway to permanent residency for most temporary skilled visa holders.
- Removing COVID-19 concessions.
- Streamlining Labor Market Testing (LMT) by no longer requiring job ads on the Workforce Australia website.
The Australian government is continuously reviewing the TSS visa to ensure it meets the needs of the workforce, especially for lower-paid workers with essential skills. Future reforms could include changes to occupation lists, eligibility criteria, and paths to permanent residency to keep the program in line with Australia’s migration strategy.
Proposed New Visa Programs
The government is planning to introduce new visa programs in late 2024 to complement or replace aspects of the TSS visa. One of these is the Skills in Demand Visa, which offers full mobility and clearer paths to permanent residency. It will have three key pathways:
- Specialist Skills Pathway: For highly specialized workers earning $135,000 or more annually, focused on innovation and economic growth.
- Core Skills Pathway: For occupations in high demand, with a minimum salary of $70,000.
- Essential Skills Pathway: For roles in essential sectors with earnings below $70,000, with strong regulation and minimum standards.
Implications for Employers & Workers
These new pathways signal a shift in Australia’s skilled migration approach. The TSS visa may be reformed to align with these new programs or become less central to migration. For employers and skilled workers, this means more options and possibly simpler processes for migration. The focus on pathways to permanent residency makes Australia more attractive for long-term settlement.
As these changes unfold, it’s important for both employers and potential migrants to stay informed to make the most of the opportunities in Australia’s changing immigration landscape.