Chaleen Botha Chaleen Botha

There are a variety of visas that make entry into Australia possible.  These visas are (but are not limited to):

• Visitor visas
• Studying and training visas
• Family and partner visas
• Working and skilled visas
• Refugee and humanitarian visas

In this article I will focus on the main visa that is relevant to my area as a recruiter, namely the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (482). This visa is what many call a ‘sponsored visa’.  Another visa that falls in the same ambit is the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (494).

What is a TSS Visa 482?

A 482 Visa is a temporary visa whereby an employer aims to address labour shortages by recruiting internationally skilled workers when they cannot employ a local person.

There is a process that the employer needs to adhere to, to recruit outside of Australia.

This is an expensive and extensive process for the employer to get the ball rolling. However, in my experience, working through this process step by step with my clients and candidates, it has proven to be easy to manage when you have a skilled migration agent involved. Additionally, my clients find that the impact that the skills shortage has on their business is far more costly than the visa costs.

For the employer, the costs of recruiting outside of Australia are made up of:

• A sponsorship application
• A nomination application
• Labour market testing
• SAF (Training) Levy
• Agent fees

Employers will not pay for a Permanent Residency application before you even enter Australia.  There is no incentive for them to do so.  Employers will almost always go the Temporary Skilled Visa route.

Candidates, when you apply for a TSS Visa (482) or the “sponsored visa”, you are responsible for the costs involved in making the move to Australia. Keep this in mind when you accept the job offer.  Costs will include, but are not limited to:

• Your visa application
• Your Skills Assessment tests (If applicable)
• English Skills Test (IELTS, PTE, CAE, OET and TOEFL iBT)
• Translating of documents (such as qualifications)
• Medical Assessments
• Police Clearance costs
• Flight costs
• Relocation of furniture and pets (if you bring yours with you)
• Having a bond (deposit if you want to rent)
• School fees or University Fees for your children
• Private health insurance.

Will I be able to apply for a 482 Visa?

To apply for a 482 Visa you must ensure you meet at least the basic eligibility criteria.

These are:

• You must be nominated for a skilled position that is on the list by an approved sponsor.
• You must have the right skills and experience to do the job.
• You must meet the relevant English language requirements.

What’s the Advantages of a 482 Visa?

The visa process is relatively faster, and you will enter Australia with full working rights and be able to work for your sponsor in your nominated position. This visa will allow you to travel to and from Australia during the term of your visa sponsorship (usually between 2-4 years). Family members (who meet the guidelines as set by our Immigration Department) will be able to work and study in Australia.

In most cases, if you are younger than 45, your employer can nominate you for Permanent Residency (PR) after 2 years working on the 482 visa.

The challenges presented by a TSS Visa

You are not a permanent resident, and this is a short-term visa.  Most states, except for Victoria and Queensland do NOT provide free public education to school-aged children. Generally, Medicare is not included in these visas. 

It is important to embark on this journey with people who are knowledgeable about the processes you have to follow to arrive in Australia. A red flag may be that there is no recruiter and/or migration agent involved in the visa sponsorship process. Though information on social media platforms can be a good starting point, please do not rely on it to make these big and costly decisions in your life. Do your own research and talk to people who have the experience and skills to assist you.

Disclaimer:

This blog was written in consultation with Softlanding Migrations. Kindly note that I am a licensed recruiter and am not allowed to answer any questions regarding visas – if you have any questions regarding visas, you need to speak with a migration agent.

Please get in touch with Gerrit (MARN 1175375) and Andries (MARN 2117691) Jansen van Rensburg or any friendly team members at https://www.softlandingmigrations.com.au.

© Chaleen Botha Pty Ltd t/a Chaleen Botha – Recruiter and Job Coach.