To avoid common pitfalls and optimize your chances of success, ask these 5 key questions before commencing the 482 TSS sponsorship process.
- When sponsoring for the 482 TSS, what occupation code should I use?
Some occupations are not included on the 482 TSS Skilled Occupation List and cannot be sponsored, while others are subject to caveats restricting the situation in which the occupation is available for sponsorship.
The most appropriate selection of occupation to match the position determines the following matters:
- The period for which the 482 TSS visa can be granted.
The TSS Skilled Occupation List identifies occupations subject to Medium Term Skills Shortage as available for a 4-year visa and occupations subject to Short Term Skill Shortage as available for a 2-year visa.
- If the visa holder can be sponsored for permanent residence in the future.
The occupations on the Medium Term Skills Shortage list can only be sponsored for Australian permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme. If an occupation is on the Short Term Skill Shortage list then employers can sponsor for an initial period of 2 years, with a possible extension of 2 years.
- Duties which can be performed by the sponsored employee on the 482 TSS visa.
This is not a general work visa. The TSS 482 is an Approved Standard Business Sponsor subject to a sponsorship obligation under the Migration Law to ensure that a sponsored employee only performs duties within the nominated position as set out in the ANZSCO code under which they were sponsored. This restriction on the duties that can be performed on the 482 TSS visa is also imposed as a visa condition on the 482 TSS visa granted to the sponsored employee. Accordingly, both the sponsoring business and the 482 TSS visa holder will be in breach of the Migration Law if duties performed fall outside the nominated position as stated in the initial application. Where employers want to change the nominated position duties, it is necessary to make a fresh 482 TSS nomination application and wait for approval by the Department of Home Affairs.
- The Annual Market Salary Rate which would be payable to an equivalent Australian worker employed in the same occupation
Annual Market Salary Rate will be assessed by reference to the stated occupation and ANZSCO code nominated in the application in determining if you have other Australian workers performing the same tale within the business or industry data as to the salary that should be paid to the sponsored employee.
Employers need to first determine the duties of the proposed position to be sponsored and then review the Occupation List to see if there is a match for the duties of the position. Each occupation on the 482 TSS Skilled Occupation List includes an ANZSCO occupation code which references a definition of the key duties for each occupation used by the Department of Home Affairs to assess that you have selected an occupation code which matches the duties.
- Can you being an overseas worker meet the criteria for a TSS 482 visa?
This 482 visa application process is typically described as follows:
- Sponsorship application by the business to become an approved sponsor
- Nomination Application by the business for approval of the position
- Visa Application by the overseas worker
While the 482 TSS application process requires Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3 above to be successful, before deciding if you should sponsor an overseas employee it is essential to first determine whether the proposed employee is likely to satisfy the 482 TSS visa criteria under Step 3.
Key Visa Applicant Criteria – 482 TSS
The criteria is as follows:
- If the intention is to consider the 482 TSS visa applicant for permanent residence in the future, age should be considered. Applicants for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme permanent residence visa must be under 45 years at the time of application. Otherwise there is no age limit.
- Qualifications must be held at the level determined by the ANZSCO Code chosen from the above occupation list. For example, a Software Engineer ANZSCO Code 261313 shows that it is a Skill Level 1 Occupation requiring a minimum Bachelor Degree Qualification (or equivalent 5 years’ experience in lieu of the Bachelor Degree).
- The 482 visa applicant must have at least 2 years of skilled work experience in the mentioned occupation in addition to the Qualification.
- The 482 Visa applicant must have met minimum English Language test requirements.
- The applicant is required to meet health and character criteria to be approved for the 482 visa.
- For some occupations a skills assessment must be successfully completed for a 482 visa and where registration is required for the occupation, the 482 visa applicant must hold the requisite licensing or registration required. For example, in the case of Medical Practitioners, registration is mandatory for the grant of the 482 TSS visa.
3. Can an Australian worker be found to fill the position?
Testing of Labor Market for 482 TSS Visa
Australian Migration Law imposes a strict requirement that Labor Market Testing requirements must be satisfied at the time the 482 TSS Nomination Application is filed. Labor Marker Testing requirements cannot be completed after lodgment of the nomination application or satisfied at a later date in response to a requested by the Department of Home Affairs to provide additional supporting evidence. The timing and specificity of Labor Market Testing are such that employer’s applications under the 482 TSS program are often refused for failing to meet the Labor Marker Testing requirements.
Your nomination application will most likely be refused if you’re not able to satisfy the Labor Market Testing and you will forfeit the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Charge paid at the time the 482 TSS Nomination Application was lodged. For example, where you sponsor a 482 TSS visa applicant for a four-year visa, the Skilling Australians Fund Charge ranges from $4,800.00 up to $7,200.00, so failing to meet Labor Market Testing requirements is a particularly costly mistake.
To avoid refusal of your 482 TSS nomination application and resulting loss of the Skilling Australian Fund Charge, carefully consider the applicable Labor Market Testing requirements specified by the Minister for Home Affairs and ensure strict compliance in respect of the following:
- Labor Market Testing was completed within the required period.
- Labor Market Testing was completed in the required manner.
- The Nomination Application is submitted together with evidence of completing the Labor Market Testing for the period and in the manner required.
- The Nomination Application is submitted with sufficient details to satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that there is no suitably qualified and experienced Australian worker available.
Employers must also complete the applicable Labor Market Testing before making an offer of employment to the proposed overseas worker. Accordingly, the employment contract should not be dated before the completion of the Labor Market Testing. This is also a common and avoidable reason for refusal of a 482 TSS Nomination Application by the Department of Home Affairs.
4. Costs to business for sponsoring an overseas worker under the 482 TSS program?
The Department of Home Affairs 482 TSS application fees are as set out below:
Department of Home Affairs Application Fees – 482 TSS
Sponsorship Application Charge $420.00
Nomination Application Charge $330.00
Skilling Australians Fund Charge $1,200.00 to $1,800.00 for each year of sponsorship, payable upfront, non-refundable except in limited circumstances.
Visa Application Charge $2,645.00 per applicant over 18 years, $660.00 per applicant under 18 years.
Employer sponsors must pay the costs of sponsoring and nominating overseas workers according to the strict provisions in the migration law. They are also prohibited from recovering the costs of the sponsorship or nomination and must not receive a payment/benefit in return for sponsorship of an overseas worker.
5. Processing time for the 482 TSS visa?
Current processing times for the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) TSS visa as at 18 July 2019 are set for each stream out below:
Visa Processing Times – 482 TSS
Visa Stream 75 % of Visas Processed 90 % of Visas Processed
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) – Short-term 32 days 48 days
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) Medium-term 22 days 43 days
Will my business be approved as an Accredited Sponsor to access priority processing of the 482 TSS application?
Sponsoring an overseas worker for a 482 TSS visa as an accredited sponsor compared to being a Standard Business Sponsor means that the process is simplified and ensures priority processing of the application. Before starting the sponsorship process, existing Standard Business Sponsors should consider if they meet the criteria to become an approved sponsor. Find out more about who can become an Accredited Sponsor.
Don’t worry if you have any more questions after this! Vision Australia is here to help you by providing all the guidelines you need. Speak to our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyer before commencing the 482 TSS sponsorship process.
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