25 November 2023 – New Pathway to Permanent Residency for Short Term 482 Visa Holders

Expansion of eligibility criteria under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa program

Further to Minister Clare O’Neil’s media release on 27 April 2023 regarding the Government’s strategy to reform the Australian skilled migration program, the Department of Home Affairs has committed to the expansion of eligibility criteria under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa program.

The Department of Home Affairs has announced an implementation date for the proposed expansion to the employer sponsored permanent residency program, by offering a new pathway to permanent residency for short term 482 visa holders.

The implementation date for the employer sponsored permanent residency reforms is expected to be 25 November 2023.

New Pathway to Permanent Residency for Short Term 482 Visa holders 

As soon as the ENS reforms have been implemented, short-term Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa holders will gain access to permanent residency under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa program.

Eligible occupations will NOT be limited to the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills (MLTSSL) list.

The following criteria will need to be met:

1. continue to work in the nominated occupation specified on the TSS visa
2. demonstrate a period of employment for 2 years with the sponsor (this is reduced from 3 years)
3. all other nomination and visa requirements under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)  stream must be met

Changes to the TRT stream nomination requirements will apply to new applications lodged on or after 25 November 2023 and applications that are yet to be finalised as at 25 November 2023.

Proposed Changes to the TSS Visa to allow new pathway to permanent residency for short term 482 visa holders

Visa Lounge Australia will provide more information as soon as the new legislation on this new pathway to permanent residency for short term 482 visa holders is released.

However so far, we know the followings:

• limits on the number of short-term stream TSS applications visa holders can make in Australia will be removed
• employers will be able to nominate holders of all TSS visa streams, including short-term and labour agreements
• the nominated occupation will need to be listed in the ANZSCO and the nominated person will need to continue to work in the occupation
• changes will be made to age exemptions for regional medical practitioner applicants and high income earning applicants aged 45 years and over to allow for a two-year pathway

New Migration Strategy to be released in the coming weeks 

It is expected that the new migration strategy will be released in early December 2023.

This new migration strategy will outline Australia’s new temporary skilled migration system and define 3 pathways for overseas skilled workers:

1. a simple pathway for specialised, highly skilled and highly paid workers
2. a mainstream temporary skilled pathway to bring core skills, based on advice from Jobs and Skills Australia
3. further consideration of a regulated pathway for workers with essential skills

The strategy will also outline:

• areas for further work on how permanent residents are selected under the General Skilled Migration program, including exploring reforms to the points test to better select for migrants who will best drive Australia’s long-term growth.
• measures that will support international students to speed up the transition from study to skilled work

Visa Services 

Visa Lounge Australia specialise in corporate migration which encompasses all employment and skilled visas, including:

• Inbound management and delivery of corporate visa programs (including temporary residence and permanent residence) under subclasses 482 / 400 / 494 and subclasses 186 / 191.
• Sponsorship applications including temporary business, occupational trainee, including transitioning to Accredited status;
• Labour Agreements – industry specific, company specific;
• Business traveller management including business visitor visas and electronic variants;
• Business Migration applications for temporary residence under subclasses 188 and subsequent permanent residence under subclasses 890 / 892 / 132 / 888;
• Assistance with skills assessments with VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, Australian Computer Society, ICAA, CPAA
• General Skilled Migration applications for permanent residence under subclasses 189 / 190;
• General Skilled Migration applications for temporary residence under subclasses 485 / 491.

We are dedicated to offering innovative solutions that empower businesses to navigate the complexities of global workforce mobility with confidence and success.

As experts in Australian immigration, VISA LOUNGE AUSTRALIA can help you navigate the application process effectively and tailor a strategy suitable for your circumstances.

Contact Our Team 

Contact Visa Lounge Australia if you require guidance on the new pathway to permanent residency for short term 482 visa holders and what is involved when nominating a position under the ENS visa program.