The Department of Home Affairs (formerly the Department of Immigration) has announced that the new TSS visa (Temporary Skills Shortages Visa) subclass 482commenced on Sunday 18 March 2018.

TSS (Subclass 482) main features are as follows:

1. The rules remain very similar to the old Subclass 457 temporary work visa – it will require a company-sponsorship stage, a company-nomination stage and the visa-application stage.
2. The Department’s fees also remain the same at A$420 for company sponsorship stage, A$330 for company nomination stage, etc.
3. The Training Expenditure requirement was to be amended to include a fixed “Training Levy” amount per nominee per year. But the relevant legislation has not passed yet. For the moment the old regime regarding the 457-visa will continue i.e. Training Benchmarks A and B ( 1% to 2% of the gross company-payroll to be spent on training Australian staff per year).
4. Visa applicants holding a 457-visa before 18^th March 2018, or those who hold the new subclass 482 under the Medium Term Stream or the Short Term Stream WILL be eligible for the transitional arrangements (TRT system).
5. The qualifying period for the TRT stream will increase from 2 years to three years in most occupations.
6. As from 18 June 2018, the Labour Market Testing (LMT) must have been undertaken within last SIX months (currently it is previous 12 months).
7. For occupations on the TSS Short Term stream list: The English-language skill requirements remain the same as the previous Subclass 457 visa – Average 5.0 (or equivalent) with no band less than 4.5. An exemption can be obtained by providing proof of five-years full-time study at secondary or higher education level where the medium of instruction was English.
8. For occupations on the TSS Medium Term stream list: Same as above, except that the English-language skills requirements have been raised to a MINIMUM score of 5.0 in EACH component.
9. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has remained the same: A$53,900 per annum based on 38 hours per week, plus superannuation plus leave entitlements.
10. Mandatory Skills Assessment – A formal Skills assessment completed within last THREE years will be required for Project & Program Administrators and most Specialist Managers (NEC).
11. Mandatory Skills assessment completed within last THREE years will also be required for most “trade” applicants who hold the following passports:
    Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe. This will cover most trade occupations including, Carpenters, Motor Mechanics, Electricians, Fitters, Metal Fabricators, Panel beaters etc.
12.  Mandatory Skills assessment completed within last THREE years will also be required for  Chefs, Cooks, Bakers, Pastrycooks who hold the following passports:
    Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe;
13. Exemptions from Mandatory Skills Assessment may be available to 
    (a) current 457 or 482 holders, 
    (b) employees of an established overseas business, 
    (c) holders of AUSTRALIAN QUALIFICATIONS specified in ANZSCO, 
    (d) Holders of Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP),
    (e)  have an income of more than A$180,000 per annum

If you have any questions regarding TSS (Subclass 482) please contact our team on +61  9221 4888 or email reception@easymigrate.com

The post LATEST NEWS – AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES THE NEW TSS VISA (SUBCLASS 482) ON 18 March 2018, replacing the subclass 457 temporary work-visa appeared first on Easy Migrate.

From March 2018, the 457 visa for Australia will be abolished. For many Australian employers and existing temporary migrants, this change will have consequences. We have spoken to many employers over the years who have complained that they have struggled to find qualified, experience good staff (hence their reasoning to sourcing overseas skilled workers). Employers who are considering recruiting overseas employees will need to be aware of the changes in the different types of visas and the tax implications that will apply.

Who is eligible for TSS?

For an employer to recruit an overseas skilled worker, the vacant position must appear on the Combined List of Eligible Skilled Occupations. Position description and the TSS visa applicant’s employment and education history must reflect the description provided by ANZSCO. If applicants do not come from one of the exempt countries (UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Ireland), they will also need to meet English language requirements.

Out of the current 651 occupations eligible for 457 visas, only 435 jobs categories will be suitable for Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa.

TSS will come in two categories: Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL)  a two-year visa that can be extended only once and offers no pathway to permanent residency; and Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) a four-year visa which can lead to Australian permanent residency after three years.

How do I apply for TSS?

TSS ( like 457) will be a three-step application process.

• Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)  – To be able to employ overseas skilled workers on a TSS visa business must be approved as Standard Business Sponsor.   For a Business to be eligible for SBS it must have an active ABN to apply under, registering the business name, supplying Business Activity Statements (BAS) and financial statements, as well as showing a commitment to training Australian citizens and permanent residents and compliance with workplace and other Australian laws.

• Nomination –  is the next step. This is when the employer must nominate a position within their business as one which must be filled by an overseas citizen. As part of this step, there are various requirements to be met: for example labour market testing, salary level and training levy.

• Visa application –  Finally it’s the visa application, at which time the applicant must demonstrate that they meet the requisite skill level for their occupation, as well as health and character requirements.

If you currently hold a 457 visa or are thinking about lodging a 457 before the changes come into effect please speak to our team by calling +61 8 9221 4888 or email reception@easymigrate.com

#AustralianMigrationMadeEasy

The post TSS Visa What You Need To Know – Are you ready for the 457 visa termination? appeared first on Easy Migrate.