Pathway to PR for short term 482 TSS visa holders

The Government has announced an enhanced visa pathway to permanent residence for sc482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders and sc457 Temporary Work Skilled visa holders who no longer meet the age requirement.

Currently TSS visa holders who are nominated in occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) are only able to get two TSS visas of two years duration each. They do not have a pathway to permanent residence through their TSS visa. This contrasts with TSS visa holders whose occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). They can be granted a four year visa with nomination by their employer for permanent residence under the Temporary Residence Transition stream for the sc186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa after three years in the position.

It has been announced that legislation is currently being drafted which will provide a pathway to permanent residence for visa holders with any occupation on the STSOL. It is anticipated that these changes will be introduced in around the middle of 2022 but the detail of the exact provisions is not yet known.