In 2024, Australia made a paradigm shift in its immigration policies, especially for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa. These changes aim to simplify the process, offer more possibilities, solve skill deficits, and contribute to fairer labour relations. But what is the 482 visa, and how are these changes beneficial and a challenge to employers and employees?
The 482 visa enables workers with skills to work in Australia in shortage occupations for workers within that country. The recent changes, which are effective from July 2024 to November 2024, comprise cuts in working experience, raising the income level, and better access to permanent residence. Let’s examine the details below.
Lowered Requirement for Work Experience
Perhaps one of the most provocative changes is the cut of the years of experience for the 482 visa. From 23 November 2024, applicants will be able to apply for skilled visas with one year of work experience in the particular skilled occupation, instead of two, as before.
This is particularly good news to learners who graduated recently and early career people who had a hard time sourcing enough points to clear this new higher threshold. They complement Australia’s approach to using education to attract young talents and skilled workers to address urgent shortages in the labour market.
Extended Time Frame for Work Experience if Unemployed
Another key update removes the strict five-year time frame for work experience eligibility. Previously, applicants had to demonstrate work experience gained within the past five years, often disqualifying those who took career breaks for personal reasons, further studies, or family obligations.
Now, workers with older yet relevant experience can qualify for the 482 visa. This more inclusive policy ensures that experienced professionals returning to the workforce are not left behind.
Raised Income Threshold for Temporary Skilled Migration (TSMIT)
TSMIT is another new concept that was proposed, this has also been demonstrated and drawn up to be an increase in the income threshold necessary for temporary skilled migration.
Also, TSMIT will be increased from AUD 70,000 to AUD 73,150 on and from the 1st of July 2024. This change concerns fresh nomination applications for Subclass 482, 494 and 186 visas to guarantee that paid employees receive reasonable wages as per regional market rates.
Key points of this are:
- Existing visa holders and applications lodged before 1 July 2024 are exempt.
- Employers must meet this threshold or justify higher annual market salary rates.
These changes aim to protect skilled migrants from wage exploitation while encouraging higher wages across industries.
Casual Employment Now Recognized as Valid Work Experience
The new face of the visa policies is flexibility. Indeed, casual employment will now be included in the calculation of statutory employment periods for a 482 visa. This change recognises that people who work part-time and casually frequently make major input to subject-matter competence.
Regardless of whether one has acquired them through part-time jobs during learning or casual jobs in one’s career path, this shift makes the visa available to more candidates. It also accords with the rights of the government for a more equal and equitable immigration process.
Non-continuous Work Experience Accepted
Bachelor’s degrees and even gaps in employment history are no longer a barrier as they used to be in the past. It has also submitted work experience a little less rigorous to allow applicants who once had non-consequent work experience due to illness, travelling or even a career break for a preferable job.
It keeps the field favourable for skilled professionals where the candidates from certain scenarios are not discouraged by not being preferred thus increasing the benchmark of eligibility.
Faster Pathway to Permanent Residency (2-Year Route Instead of 3)
This is one of the most anticipated modifications to the 482 visa whereby the length of time necessary to make a transition to permanent residency has been brought down. Currently, after three years of working for the sponsoring employer, the visa holders are allowed to apply for permanent residency, though from January 2024, the period will be reduced to two years.
This is achievable through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream in the subclass 186 visa. This means that one may be able to secure permanent residence only three years after entering the multitudes of the workforce and thus makes Australia even a more favourable country for talented workforce. This change also brings order in the world of work and relationships with the workers as well as employers because they build long-term relations.
Stronger Authority to Tackle Worker Exploitation
The government is increasing measures against worker exploitation by proposing criminal and civil remedies for employers who violate work conditions for visa purposes. Effective from 1 July 2024, employers found exploiting migrant workers face severe consequences, including:
- Criminal prosecution.
- Bans from employing migrant workers.
- Public disclosure of their names as violators.
These measures aim to protect migrant workers from exploitation while maintaining the integrity of Australia’s skilled migration programs.
Longer Grace Period After Job Termination
The updated rules extend the grace period available for visa holders if their employment is terminated. Legacy Subclass 457 visa holders, for example, will benefit from this extension, giving them additional time to:
- Find a new sponsor.
- Apply for the Subclass 186 visa under the TRT stream.
Applicants must meet certain criteria, including age concessions for individuals over 45 years and demonstrate that they met the required earnings threshold during employment. This longer grace period provides much-needed flexibility and security for workers navigating job transitions.
New ‘Skills in Demand Visa’ Proposed to Replace the TSS 482 Visa
A new ray of hope has come through recently when the Australian government introduced the ‘Skills in Demand Visa’ to replace the TSS 482 visa system. This visa is designed to cater for shortages in terms of employment in a much better way, through the creation of new sub-categories of this particular visa that is going to give consideration to the differing skill levels. The three pathways under this new visa are:
Specialist Skills Pathway
- Targets highly skilled professionals in critical white-collar roles.
- Requires a Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) of AUD 135,000.
- Offers priority processing within 7 days, ensuring swift talent acquisition.
- Excludes trades and labour occupations, focusing solely on high-demand professional skills.
Essential Skills Pathway
- Provides a faster route to permanent residency through the TRT stream of the Subclass 186 visa.
- Requires two years of work with a sponsoring employer, eliminating the need for a formal skills assessment for most occupations.
- Streamlines the process for skilled workers in essential roles.
Core Skills Pathway
- Retains similarities with the current 482 visa by offering an expedited path to permanent residency.
- Enables workers to transition to Subclass 186 after two years of employment, simplifying the journey toward settling permanently in Australia.
These pathways align with Australia’s commitment to attracting skilled workers while providing flexibility to meet labour market demands.
What Do These Changes Mean for Employees and Employers?
The sweeping changes to the 482 visa policies carry implications for both employees and employers. For employees, the adjustments mean:
- Easier qualification criteria, including reduced work experience and recognition of casual employment.
- Faster access to permanent residency, offering long-term stability.
- Increased protection against exploitation.
For employers, the changes simplify the recruitment process for overseas talent by:
- Broadening the talent pool with reduced work experience requirements.
- Enhancing flexibility to hire skilled professionals for shorter durations.
- Aligning pay standards with market expectations through the updated TSMIT.
Overall, these reforms aim to create a fairer and more dynamic skilled migration program that benefits Australia’s workforce and economy.
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It is even challenging for the applicants to go through the different visa types and come up with the right one to apply for since immigration laws change often. That is where Grace International comes into play. We always update ourselves with Australian migration laws and procedures and can guide you through these procedures to meet all the legal requirements and save you from losing a lot of money through making wrong decisions.
No matter if you are an employee looking for the best option to get permanent residence to work for a company you love, or an employer with the aim to sponsor talent, Grace International will offer you an individual consultation to help you in every step. Do not let the visa difficulties stand between you and your dream – call us today and turn your Australian dream into a reality.
FAQs
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Is the 482 visa available in 2024?
Yes, the visa remains available in 2024. Migrant workers can still apply for the 482 visas in 2024 after a series of modifications that make the visa easier to access and respond to the needs of hirers.
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Is the 482 visa ending?
No, the visa itself is not ending. However, it may be replaced by the proposed ‘Skills in Demand Visa’ as part of Australia’s evolving migration policies.
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How has the pathway to permanent residency changed?
Since its introduction, the period for work experience required under the TRT stream of permanent residency has been reduced from three years to two years.
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How does the grace period after job termination work?
The current visa holders can now remain in the country for a longer duration after losing their jobs with their employer, and seek other sponsorship or other eligible visa classes.
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Do the new changes affect all industries equally?
While there are benefits for many skilled workers in these change scenarios, some of these pathways such as the Specialist Skills Pathway do not have provisions for trades and labour.
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Will I be able to switch employers while on a TSS 482 visa under the new rules?
Yes, although you must meet the qualifications for qualification for the extended grace period and secure a new sponsoring employer within that new period.
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How will the new ‘Skills in Demand Visa’ differ from the TSS 482 visa?
The proposed visa has three routes with differential skills, time, and income requirements based on the identified necessities of the Australian labour market.
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Do the changes apply to all TSS 482 visa holders or only new applicants?
With regards to differences for existing applications, some changes affect only applications submitted after a specific date under the new TSMIT as opposed to others that affect both new and old applications in terms of reduced work experience requirements.
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What should I do if I’m unsure about how the changes apply to my visa situation?
Of course, it’s always proper to talk to migration agents. Our best agents at Grace International Migration Services provide professional recommendations according to many circumstances.
