Skills in Demand Visa | The New TSS (SC 482) Visa Sneak Peek
The Department of Home Affairs has announced an update on the upcoming Skills in Demand Visa which will soon replace the current Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (Subclass 482) Visa.
Similarly to the TSS visa, this new visa type is designed to facilitate the entry of skilled workers into Australia, addressing specific labour shortages across various sectors. Yet, the Skills in Demand Visa is a temporary skilled worker visa that will be valid for up to four years and provides eligible applicants with a clear pathway to permanent residency (PR).
What are the key features of the Skills in Demand Visa?
Validity and Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)
Temporary Nature: The visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia for up to four years.
Permanent Residency: There is a clear pathway for visa holders to transition to permanent residency, enhancing the appeal of this visa for skilled migrants.
Three Streams of Application
The Skills in Demand Visa will have three distinct streams to cater to various skill levels and employment situations:
a. Specialist Skills Stream
Target Group: This stream is aimed at highly skilled migrants.
Income Requirement: Applicants must earn at least $135,000 per year.
Occupation Exclusions: This stream excludes trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers, focusing instead on professional and specialised roles.
b. Core Skills Stream
Focus: This stream will cater to skilled employees in various occupations.
New Occupation List: A Core Skills Occupation List will be introduced to identify the roles eligible for this stream.
Income Threshold: A Core Skills Income Threshold will also be established, which applicants must meet.
c. Labour Agreement Stream
Renaming: The existing TSS Labour Agreement stream will soon be renamed to the Skills in Demand Labour Agreement Stream.
Purpose: This stream allows employers to sponsor skilled workers through specific labour agreements tailored to meet their workforce needs.
Reduced Work Experience Requirement
The work experience requirement for applicants for the Skills in Demand Visa has been reduced to one year, making it easier for skilled workers to qualify for the visa.
Transition from TSS Visa
As the Skills in Demand Visa replaces the existing Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, the current short-term and medium-term streams of the TSS visa will close to new applications. This transition is part of a broader effort to streamline the visa process and respond to changing labour market needs.
What is the implementation timeline?
The Department of Home Affairs is actively working on the Skills in Demand Visa rollout, which is expected to commence by the end of 2024.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
As we transition from the TSS visa, it is crucial for applicants to stay informed about the new requirements and proactively prepare for these changes. By doing so, applicants will significantly increase their chances of successfully securing a visa. Our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyer(s) and our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents at Agape Henry Crux specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.
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