Australian work visa optionsEmployer sponsored, independent and other visa options for skilled professionals and tradespeople.

The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for all visa applications and processing. This sheet is for general information only and does not list all visa requirements. See Department of Home Affairs’ website – homeaffairs.gov.au – for more information or engage a migration agent or lawyer for advice. The Victorian Government cannot provide migration advice.

About the new 482 visaTemporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)

Features

The new TSS visa allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved business for one to four years. This visa replaces the former 457 visa.

Requirements

The individual must have the required skills to fill a position nominated by an approved business. TSS visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor under one of three streams:

• the Short-Term stream

• the Medium-Term stream

• the Labour Agreement stream.

The TSS visa involves a three-step process:

Step 1: sponsorship application by the employer

Step 2: nomination application for a skilled position by the employer

Step 3: visa application by the proposed employee.

The nominated occupation must be on one of the following lists:

• Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

• Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

• Regional Occupation List (ROL).

See lists of eligible skilled occupations for more detail.

Interested? Quick Facts

The TSS visa is for skilled workers who want to work in Australia temporarily.

For skilled workers:

• It’s a temporary visa, generally valid from one to four years (the latter if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies), but this will depend on your nominated occupation, the visa stream and your circumstances

• A pathway to permanent residence is only provided for some eligible applicants on the Medium-Term stream

• You will need to meet the requirements of the stream in which you apply. This includes minimum occupation, English, skills, health and character requirements

• There is no age requirement for this visa.

Partners and dependent children can be included in the visa.

For sponsors:

• The TSS visa is available to Australian or overseas employers

• Businesses can be located anywhere in Australia

• Business sponsorships are generally valid for five years

• You will need to enter a labour agreement with the Australian Government for the Labour Agreement stream.

Other employer sponsored visas

Temporary work visas

Features Requirements Length of Stay / Entitlements

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)

As featured above.

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)

This visa is for people undertaking short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work in Australia.

Employees must be supported by the organisation they will be working for; have specialist skills, knowledge or experience that is needed but cannot be found in Australia.

Three months (up to six months).

Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

This visa is for special activities such as entertainers, sportspersons, religious workers, training, research, cultural exchange.

Employees must have the skills to undertake the activity to be carried out in Australia; be supported or sponsored; meet additional requirements of the relevant stream.

If invited by an organisation to participate in a specific event – three months. If participating in Australian government activities – four years.

All other activities – two years.

Permanent visas

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

This visa lets businesses sponsor overseas skilled workers for permanent residence to fill skill shortages. It allows skilled workers to work in Australia under one of three streams:

• Temporary Residence Transition stream

• Direct Entry stream

• Labour Agreement stream

Employees must be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a job and must meet age, English, skills, health and character requirements.

Permanent residence.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)

A permanent visa allowing skilled workers to work in regional areas of Australia. It allows skilled workers to work in Australia under one of two streams:

• the Temporary Residence Transition stream

• the Direct Entry stream.

Employees must be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a job in regional Australia. Employees must meet age, English, skills, health and character requirements.

In Victoria, this visa covers all areas of the State except Melbourne. See the list of eligible postcodes for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187).

Permanent residence.

Other visas

State Nominated visas

Features Additional requirements Entitlements

Skilled Independent (189) visa

This points-based permanent visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member.

Obtain positive skills assessment in an occupation on the applicable occupation list for this visa.

Meet Department of Home Affairs points test (minimum) 60

Meet Department of Home Affairs requirements including: age; English language; work experience; health and character requirements.

Permanent residence.

Skilled Nominated (190) visa

Points-based permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian State or Territory Government.

You must meet all of the additional requirements outlined in the Skilled Independent (189) visa.

Visa holders must also live in their nominated state or territory for at least two years.

If interested in living in Victoria, apply to the Victorian Government for visa nomination.

View our Skilled Nominated (190) visa page.

Permanent residence.

Skilled Regional (489) visa

A points-based provisional skilled visa that can provide a pathway to permanent residence.

Requires nomination from an Australian State or Territory Government or sponsorship from an eligible relative living in regional Australia.

You must meet all of the additional requirements outlined in the Skilled Independent (189) visa.

Visa holders must also live for at least two years, and work for at least one year in a specified regional area to be eligible for permanent residence.

If interested in living in Victoria, apply first to the Victorian Government for visa nomination.

View our Skilled Regional (489) visa.

Provisional temporary residence (up to 4 years).

We have listed only the most common visa types. For a full list of available visas, see homeaffairs.gov.au

Other visas

Working Holiday & Visitor visas

Working Holiday (417 or 462)

This visa is for young people, aged between 18 and 30, with an eligible passport who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year. If you work in Australia’s regional areas, you might be able to extend your stay for an additional 12 months.

Visitor visas: Visitor (600); Electronic Travel Authority (601); or eVisitor (651) visa

The visitor visa you apply for will depend on your passport nationality.

These visas let you visit Australia for tourism, visiting family and friends or for a business visit for up to three months. You must not work in Australia.

For business visits, you can undertake the following activities:

• making general business or employment enquiries

• investigating, negotiating, signing or reviewing a business contract

• activities carried out as part of an official government-to-government visit

• participating in conferences, trade fairs or seminars, as long as you are not being paid by the organisers for your participation.

You cannot:

• undertake work for or provide goods or services to a business or person based in Australia

• sell goods or services directly to the general public while in Australia.

Engaging a registered migration agent/lawyer A migration agent can help with advice on:

• the most appropriate visa; completing visa application forms

• preparing supporting documentation for applications

• submitting applications and liaising with the relevant Government departments the applicant’s behalf

• providing advice on complex immigration matters.

It is important to note that using an agent or lawyer for visa applications will not influence the outcome of applications or reduce the assessment processing time.

To find out more about the role of migration agents or to find a migration agent go to the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) – mara.gov.au

To find a lawyer who is a specialist in immigration law, visit the Law Institute of Victoria website

liv.asn.au/specialists

Further information The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs is responsible for all Australian visas. See homeaffairs.gov.au for more information.

Information is correct as at 18 April 2018. See homeaffairs.gov.au for current visa information.