As Australia’s economic recovery continues, the Government is making it easier for highly skilled migrants to remain in the country and continue working in critical sectors.

As a result, the government has announced that holders of Sponsor Visas (482 or 457) involved in the post-pandemic economic recovery could enjoy Pathways to Permanent Residency

“This is a special concession recognizing those highly skilled migrant workers who chose to stay in Australia throughout the pandemic while continuing to address Australia’s acute shortages. This allows them to stay here, with a pathway to Australian citizenship” Minister for Immigration – Alex Hawke said.

These visa changes will improve access to permanent residence for:

• Existing Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa holders in the short-term stream
• Legacy Temporary Work Skilled (subclass 457) visa holders who no longer meet the age requirement.

Before these changes, unlike Medium-Term TSS 482, which has its own PR pathway to 186 visas, the short-term stream has been specifically designed to have no direct pathway to permanent residency, to reinforce its “short” term.

The new change allows access to the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the ENS 186 visa from 1st July 2022 for short-term stream TSS 482 visa holders who:

• Spent a (cumulative) period of 12 months or more in Australia between 1 Feb 2020 and 14 Dec 2021
• Employed by a suitable employer in Australia at the time of application, meaning hold a TSS 482 Visa at the time of application

These changes improve the situation for a large number of TSS 482 visa holders in the short-term stream, who may have been working towards permanent residency under programs, or expecting to need to return home.

We hope this will help Australia to capture some skills shortages for the long term.

Requirements

To be eligible you must:

• Have been employed, in Australia for a minimum of 12 months between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021.
• At the time of visa application, is employed by a person actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia.
• Have worked in the nominated occupation for three years full time in the four years immediately prior to lodgment. The total period may include Covid-19 reduced work periods.

The top Short Term Skilled occupations that may now qualify for the new 482 Visa Changes in 2022.

Hospitality Industry:

• Accommodation and Hospitality manager (141999 – ANZSCO) – VETASSESS.
• Other hospitality occupations such as Cafe and Restaurant Manager.
• Cook/ Baker: Chefs are in great demand in Australia, however, only bakers and cooks are on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations list, so there was no pathway for cooks with TSS 482 visas. The good news is that now you are possibly eligible for the Temporary Residency Transition 186 Visa (Permanent Residency) under the new legislation.

Professional occupations:

• Finance Broker
• Marketing/Advertising Specialist
• Graphic designer

ICT Occupations

• ICT Sales Representative
• ICT Customer Support Officer
• ICT Support Engineer

Bill Mitroulas

Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. Managing and overseeing the growth and performance of Questra’s team of migration agents, while maintaining a client-centric and quality-driven approach. A registered migration agent since 2015 and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian Migration law.