457 visa changes new 482 TSS visa
New Skilled Work Visa – Please see bottom of page for skilled occupation lists MTSSL, STSOL, ROL
Due to large scale abuse of the temporary skilled visa program, the subclass 457 visa has been repealed as of 18th March 2018. After surprise announcements on the 18th April 2017, the promised Australian work visa changes have been put in place with the introduction of the subclass 482 ‘TSS’ (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa, as of 18th March 2018.
Check our table below for the permanent residency occupations on the MTSSL – Medium Long Term Strategic Skills List
457 visa History
The 457 visa was implemented in 1985, by offering skilled international workers and international students an opportunity to stay in Australia, working within their qualified occupation via pathways such as the temporary graduate stream. Although effective by providing temporary skilled workers for businesses at times of boom and busts, the 457 has been subject to systematic abuse by business and workers by also removing positive outcomes for Australian workers.
After the 457 program was revealed to have such major flaws, on the 18th of April 2018, the then Department of Immigration and Border Protection, or DIBP (now known as ‘Home Affairs’) and then Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has reworked the system with the intention of strengthening the Australian domestic job market.
Now that the new subclass 482 TSS (Temporary skill shortage visa changes) is in place, it is best to update you on some of the strict requirements and if there is any pathways to permanent residency. Please note: This post is for educational purposes only at the time of writing, and is not considered professional migration advice.
Skilled occupation lists
Along with the implementation of the new TSS visa, changes to the skilled occupation lists and minimum requirements of work experience for eligibility, we note that the regulations for the subclass 186 and subclass 187 regional skilled migration visa (RSMS) have also changed.
Visa Changes to Australian skilled visas
- 457 visa abolished 18th March 2018
- Changes to skilled occupation lists
- TSS eligibility – Must have 2 years experience (or 5 years equivalent if no formal qualification). This affects subclass 485 temporary graduate visa
- No pathway to permanent residency for those not on MTSSL (medium long term strategic skills list)
- New Regional skilled occupation list (ROL) or Regional occupation list
- New STSOL list, has no eligibility for permanent residency unless with 190 or 489 (state sponsorship or regional state sponsorship 489)
- New MTSSL (medium long term skill shortage list) which has new caveats.
- Must have skill assessment along with evidence of 3 years work experience
- Minimum 3 years on TSS visa to transition into permanent residency (RSMS and subclass 186)
- Minimum 3 years experience after qualifications for 186, 187 direct entry.
- Significant decrease in subclass 189 skilled independent visa invitations
- TSS has only 2 year grant duration for those with occupations on STSOL, (otherwise 4 years based on time of application for those on medium long term list – MTSSL)
- TSS can only apply 2 times onshore if on short term list.
- New GTE (genuine temporary entrant) requirements for those with occupations on the short term list.
- Labour agreements subject to Labour Market testing (unless an International trade obligation applies)
If you need assistance, please complete our questionnaire in full.
Also, if you have a refusal for an existing visa or nomination for a genuine role, need a skill assessment, or professional migration advice for your visa options, please contact us for an appointment on +61402430985
construction project manager engineering manager child care centre manager nursing clinical director primary health organisation manager welfare centre manager accountant (general) management accountant taxation accountant external auditor internal auditor actuary land economist valuer management consultant architect landscape architect surveyor cartographer other spatial scientist chemical engineer materials engineer civil engineer geotechnical engineer quantity surveyor structural engineer transport engineer electrical engineer electronics engineer industrial engineer mechanical engineer production or plant engineer aeronautical engineer agricultural engineer biomedical engineer engineering technologist environmental engineer naval architect agricultural consultant agricultural scientist forester medical laboratory scientist veterinarian physicist (medical physicist only) early childhood (pre‑primary school) teacher secondary school teacher special needs teacher teacher of the hearing impaired teacher of the sight impaired special education teachers (nec) medical diagnostic radiographer medical radiation therapist nuclear medicine technologist sonographer optometrist orthotist or prosthetist chiropractor osteopath occupational therapist physiotherapist podiatrist audiologist speech pathologist general practitioner specialist physician (general medicine) cardiologist clinical haematologist medical oncologist endocrinologist gastroenterologist intensive care specialist neurologist paediatrician renal medicine specialist rheumatologist thoracic medicine specialist specialist physicians (nec) psychiatrist surgeon (general) cardiothoracic surgeon neurosurgeon orthopaedic surgeon otorhinolaryngologist paediatric surgeon plastic and reconstructive surgeon urologist vascular surgeon dermatologist emergency medicine specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist ophthalmologist pathologist diagnostic and interventional radiologist radiation oncologist medical practitioners (nec) midwife nurse practitioner registered nurse (aged care) registered nurse (child and family health) registered nurse (community health) registered nurse (critical care and emergency) registered nurse (developmental disability) registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation) registered nurse (medical) registered nurse (medical practice) registered nurse (mental health) registered nurse (perioperative) registered nurse (surgical) registered nurse (paediatrics) registered nurses (nec) ICT business analyst systems analyst analyst programmer developer programmer software engineer ICT security specialist computer network and systems engineer telecommunications engineer telecommunications network engineer barrister solicitor clinical psychologist educational psychologist organisational psychologist psychologists (nec) social worker civil engineering draftsperson civil engineering technician electrical engineering draftsperson electrical engineering technician radio communications technician telecommunications field engineer telecommunications network planner telecommunications technical officer or technologist automotive electrician motor mechanic (general) diesel motor mechanic motorcycle mechanic small engine mechanic sheetmetal trades worker metal fabricator pressure welder welder (first class) fitter (general) fitter and turner fitter‑welder metal machinist (first class) locksmith panelbeater bricklayer stonemason carpenter and joiner carpenter joiner painting trades worker glazier fibrous plasterer solid plasterer wall and floor tiler plumber (general) airconditioning and mechanical services plumber drainer gasfitter roof plumber electrician (general) electrician (special class) lift mechanic airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic technical cable jointer electronic equipment trades worker electronic instrument trades worker (general) electronic instrument trades worker (special class) chef cabinetmaker boat builder and repairer shipwright Short- term Skilled Occupation List Occupation aquaculture farmer cotton grower flower grower fruit or nut grower grain, oilseed or pasture grower (Aus) / field crop grower (NZ) grape grower mixed crop farmer sugar cane grower vegetable grower (Aus) / market gardener (NZ) crop farmers (nec) apiarist beef cattle farmer dairy cattle farmer mixed livestock farmer pig farmer poultry farmer sheep farmer livestock farmers (nec) mixed crop and livestock farmer sales and marketing manager advertising manager corporate services manager finance manager human resource manager research and development manager manufacturer production manager (forestry) production manager (manufacturing) production manager (mining) supply and distribution manager health and welfare services managers (nec) school principal education managers (nec) ICT project manager ICT managers (nec) arts administrator or manager laboratory manager quality assurance manager specialist managers (nec) except: (a) ambassador; or (b) archbishop; or (c) bishop cafe or restaurant manager hotel or motel manager accommodation and hospitality managers (nec) customer service manager conference and event organiser transport company manager facilities manager dancer or choreographer music director music professionals (nec) photographer visual arts and crafts professionals (nec) artistic director book or script editor director (film, television, radio or stage) film and video editor program director (television or radio) stage manager technical director video producer copywriter newspaper or periodical editor print journalist technical writer television journalist journalists and other writers (nec) company secretary commodities trader finance broker insurance broker financial brokers (nec) financial market dealer stockbroking dealer financial dealers (nec) financial investment adviser financial investment manager recruitment consultant ICT trainer mathematician gallery or museum curator health information manager records manager librarian organisation and methods analyst patents examiner information and organisation professionals (nec) advertising specialist marketing specialist ICT account manager ICT business development manager ICT sales representative public relations professional technical sales representatives (nec) including education sales representatives fashion designer industrial designer jewellery designer graphic designer illustrator web designer interior designer urban and regional planner geologist primary school teacher middle school teacher (Aus) / intermediate school teacher (NZ) education adviser art teacher (private tuition) dance teacher (private tuition) music teacher (private tuition) private tutors and teachers (nec) teacher of English to speakers of other languages dietitian nutritionist occupational health and safety adviser orthoptist hospital pharmacist industrial pharmacist retail pharmacist health promotion officer health diagnostic and promotion professionals (nec) acupuncturist naturopath traditional Chinese medicine practitioner complementary health therapists (nec) dental specialist dentist resident medical officer anaesthetist nurse educator nurse researcher nurse manager web developer software tester database administrator systems administrator network administrator network analyst ICT quality assurance engineer ICT support engineer ICT systems test engineer ICT support and test engineers (nec) judicial and other legal professionals (nec) careers counsellor drug and alcohol counsellor family and marriage counsellor rehabilitation counsellor student counsellor counsellors (nec) psychotherapist interpreter social professionals (nec) recreation officer welfare worker anaesthetic technician cardiac technician medical laboratory technician pharmacy technician medical technicians (nec) meat inspector primary products inspectors (nec) chemistry technician earth science technician life science technician science technicians (nec) architectural draftsperson building inspector architectural, building and surveying technicians (nec) mechanical engineering technician metallurgical or materials technician mine deputy hardware technician ICT customer support officer web administrator ICT support technicians (nec) farrier aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics) aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical) aircraft maintenance engineer (structures) textile, clothing and footwear mechanic metal fitters and machinists (nec) precision instrument maker and repairer watch and clock maker and repairer toolmaker vehicle body builder vehicle trimmer roof tiler business machine mechanic cabler (data and telecommunications) telecommunications linesworker baker pastrycook butcher or smallgoods maker cook dog handler or trainer animal attendants and trainers (nec) veterinary nurse florist gardener (general) arborist landscape gardener greenkeeper hairdresser print finisher printing machinist dressmaker or tailor upholsterer furniture finisher wood machinist wood machinists and other wood trades workers (nec) chemical plant operator power generation plant operator library technician jeweller camera operator (film, television or video) make up artist sound technician performing arts technicians (nec) signwriter ambulance officer intensive care ambulance paramedic dental technician diversional therapist enrolled nurse massage therapist community worker disabilities services officer family support worker residential care officer youth worker diving instructor (open water) gymnastics coach or instructor horse riding coach or instructor snowsport instructor swimming coach or instructor tennis coach other sports coach or instructor sports development officer footballer sportspersons (nec) contract administrator program or project administrator insurance loss adjuster insurance agent retail buyer Regional Occupations List Column 1 Occupation horse breeder public relations manager policy and planning manager project builder procurement manager medical administrator regional education manager sports administrator caravan park and camping ground manager post office manager amusement centre manager fitness centre manager sports centre manager cinema or theatre manager financial institution branch manager human resource adviser workplace relations adviser policy analyst liaison officer market research analyst aeroplane pilot flying instructor helicopter pilot ship’s master multimedia designer wine maker conservation officer exercise physiologist vocational education teacher environmental health officer intellectual property lawyer translator community arts worker agricultural technician operating theatre technician pathology collector construction estimator surveying or spatial science technician mechanical engineering draftsperson safety inspector maintenance planner building and engineering technicians (nec) vehicle painter floor finisher electrical linesworker zookeeper nurseryperson gas or petroleum operator dental hygienist dental therapist emergency service worker driving instructor funeral workers (nec) flight attendant first aid trainer jockey clinical coder property manager real estate representative