Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) (SC 482 Visa) is for skilled overseas workers in selective occupations who have been sponsored by an approved business to fill in temporary skill shortages where employers are unable to find suitably qualified and/or experienced Australian workers to do the job. It is a temporary visa for between two years to up to four years and has the following three streams:

Short Term Stream

• must nominate an occupation on Short Term Skilled Occupation List;
• should have worked in nominated occupation for at least two years and have positive skills assessment result;
• can work for up to two years;
• visa can be renewed once;
• must be a genuine temporary entrant;
• must meet English language Health and Character requirements.

Medium Term Stream

• must nominate an occupation on Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List ;
• should have worked in nominated occupation for at least two years and have positive skills assessment result;
• can work for up to four years;
• visa can be renewed any number of times;
• must meet English language Health and Character requirements;
• this stream provides pathway to residence as visa holders may qualify for permanent Employer Sponsored visa.

Labour Agreement Stream

• can work in an occupation included in Labour Agreement between Employer and the Department;
• should have worked in that occupation for at least two years and have positive skills assessment result;
• can work for up to four years;
• visa can be renewed any number of times;
• must meet English language Health and Character requirements.
• this stream provides pathway to residence as visa holders may qualify for permanent Employer Sponsored visa.