The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa is a temporary work visa that allows skilled workers to work in Australia for up to four years. It is designed to address temporary skill shortages in the Australian labour market.
How do I get this visa?
There are three streams under this visa: Short-term stream, Medium-term stream, and Labour agreement stream. Before you can apply for this visa, however, your proposed employer will need to lodge a nomination application for you.
Eligibility for all streams requires you to:
- Be nominated for a position by an approved sponsor, and the approval of that nomination.
- Meet any required skills and qualifications requirements.
- Meet English language requirements.
- Hold a substantive visa, a subclass 010 (Bridging A) visa, a subclass 020 (Bridging B) visa or a subclass 030 (Bridging C) visa, if in Australia.
- Have complied with any conditions that apply or applied to your last visa.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Meet the requirements of the stream in which you apply.
Additional eligibility for the three streams include:
Short-term stream
This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
Medium-term stream
This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
- You can work in Australia for up to four years.
Labour agreement stream
This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement. It lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.
- Your employer has to have a labour agreement with the Australian government in effect.
Subsequent entrant
This visa is for family members of subclass 457 and TSS visa holders who are applying separately for their TSS visa and wish to join the primary subclass 457 or TSS visa holder in Australia.
- It is for family members of subclass 482 and 457 visa holders
How to apply for this visa
To apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, you will need to follow these general steps:
- Find a sponsor: You need to find an employer who is willing to sponsor you for the TSS visa. The employer must be an approved sponsor by the Australian government.
- Occupation and skills assessment: You must nominate an occupation that is on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations and have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority.
- Lodge your application: Once you have secured a sponsor and your skills have been assessed, you can then apply for the TSS visa through the online portal or via a paper application.
- Provide supporting documents: You will need to provide various documents to support your application, such as your passport, skills assessment, and English language proficiency results.
- Wait for a decision: The processing time for a TSS visa application can vary, but it usually takes several months. You may be required to attend an interview or provide additional information during this time.
- Visa approval and arrival: If your visa is approved, you will be notified, and you can then make travel arrangements to Australia.
It’s important to note that the specific requirements and application process may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the stream of the TSS visa you are applying for.
What are the features and benefits of this visa? for you and your family.
Here are some of the key features and benefits of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa for you and your family:
Features:
- The TSS visa allows you to work in Australia for up to four years in the nominated occupation and with the sponsoring employer.
- This visa has two streams: the Short-Term stream and the Medium-Term stream. The Short-Term stream allows you to work for up to two years, while the Medium-Term stream allows you to work for up to four years.
- You can include your eligible family members in your visa application, such as your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children.
Benefits:
- The TSS visa provides you and your family members with the opportunity to work and live in Australia, which can provide many career and personal benefits.
- This visa allows you and your family members to study in Australia, which can lead to further career and educational opportunities.
- You and your family members may be eligible to access Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare, while in Australia.
- If eligible, you may be able to apply for other visas or permanent residency options while on the TSS visa, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) or the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189).
Overall, the TSS visa provides a great opportunity for skilled workers and their families to work and live in Australia temporarily, providing them with a range of personal, career, and educational benefits.
