Permanent Employer Sponsored Visas

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Employer Sponsored Visas

 

Skilled Occupation List

 

If you have found an employer willing to sponsor you in Australia, then you may be eligible for a permanent residency visa. Please note that a Nomination from the sponsoring employer is required for both 186 and 187 visas.

There are two main classes of permanent employer sponsored visas:

  • (Employer Nomination Permanent) (Class EN), Subclass 186, Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS).
  • (Regional Employer Nomination Permanent) (Class RN), Subclass 187, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

These visa classes are divided into three main streams:

  1. The Temporary Residence Transition Stream – this is for visa applicants who have worked for the same employer for two years and been sponsored by that employer on a Subclass 457 visa or a Subclass 482 visa (medium-term Stream).
  2. The Direct Entry Stream– this is for visa applicants who have not worked for one employer for two years. This visa can be applied by applicants who are either overseas or in Australia.
  3. The Agreement Stream – A Labour Agreement is required. A Labour Agreement is a contract negotiated between the employer and the Australian Government.

A – TEMPORARY VISA  – Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) – TSS Visa.

Subclass 482 is an employer-sponsored visa which is divided into three streams:

  • Short-term stream
  • Medium-term stream
  • Labour Agreement stream

This visa allows you to stay in Australia for one to four years depending on the stream.

TSS visa application is a three-step process:

– Step 1: a sponsorship application is lodge by the Australian employer (the employer must be an approved sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs – ‘’Standard Business Sponsor’’).

– Step 2: the employer lodges a nomination application for the skilled worker.

– Step 3: the proposed employee lodges a visa application.

1. Short-term stream

This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas skilled worker) on a temporary basis only in occupations listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation list (STSOL) for a TSS visa. It can be used to fill positions for a maximum of:

 2. Medium-term Stream

This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas skilled worker) for periods of up to four years in occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL) for a TSS visa.

3. Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas worker) and has entered into a labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

 

Eligibility criteria for all streams:

In order to be granted a TSS visa the following criteria must be met:

  • Have been nominated for a position by an approved sponsor and that nomination has been approved.
  • Meet any required skills and qualifications requirements including completing any skills assessments required.
  • Meet English language requirements.
  • If in Australia, hold a substantive visa, a subclass 010 (Bridging A) visa, a subclass 020 (Bridging B) visa or a Subclass 030 (Bridging C) visa.
  • Have substantially 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 criteria for each stream: 

1. Short-term stream

  • Have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years
  • Are a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a short term visa holder (known as a ‘Genuine Temporary Entrant’ (GTE))
  • Will be working directly for your sponsor or for an associated entity of your sponsor, unless the nominated occupation is exempt from this requirement

2. Medium-term stream

  • Have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years
  • Will be working directly for your sponsor or for an associated entity of your sponsor, unless the nominated occupation is exempt from this requirement.

3. Labour Agreement stream

  • Are nominated in an occupation included in a labour agreement which your employer has entered into with the Department of Home Affairs.
  • Have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years (unless this is not required under the labour agreement).

B – PERMANENT VISAS – (Subclass 186 and 187).

1 – (Employer Nomination Permanent) (Class EN) Subclass 186 Visa

This is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are sponsored by an Australian employer. As explained above, this visa is composed of three streams:

  • The Temporary Residence Transition Stream.
  • The Direct Entry Stream.
  • The Agreement Stream.

Criteria for each stream are as follows:

1.1. Temporary Residence Transition Stream:

  • Applicant can be in or outside Australia at the time of application.
  • Applicant must hold a licence of a particular kind, or hold registration of a particular kind, or be a member of a professional body.
  • Must be nominated by an Australian employer.
  • Occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
  • Must have a positive Skills Assessment for that occupation.
  • Must have competent English.

1.2. Direct Entry Stream:

  • Applicant can in or outside Australia at the time of application.
  • Applicant must be less than 45 years old.
  • Must have competent English.
  • Must be nominated by the sponsoring employer.
  • Applicant must hold a licence of a particular kind, or hold registration of a particular kind, or be a member of a professional body.
  • Occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
  • Must have a positive Skills Assessment for that occupation.

1.3. Agreement Stream:

  • There must be a Labour Agreement signed between the sponsoring employer and the Australian Government.
  • Applicant can in or outside Australia at the time of application.
  • Applicant must be less than 50 years old.
  • Must have competent English.
  • Must be nominated by the sponsoring employer.
  • Applicant must hold a licence of a particular kind, or hold registration of a particular kind, or be a member of a professional body.
  • Occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
  • Must have a positive Skills Assessment for that occupation.

2 – (Regional Employer Nomination Permanent) (Class RN) Subclass 187 Visa

This visa is also composed of three streams:

  • The Temporary Residence Transition Stream.
  • The Direct Entry Stream.
  • The Agreement Stream.

Criteria for each stream are as follows:

2.1. Temporary Residence Transition Stream:

  • Applicant can in or outside Australia at the time of application. If the applicant is in Australia, he/she must hold a valid visa or a Bridging Visa A, B, or C.
  • Applicant must hold a licence of a particular kind, or hold registration of a particular kind, or be a member of a professional body.
  • Must be nominated by an Australian employer in an Application for Approval.
  • Occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.
  • Must have a positive Skills Assessment for that occupation.
  • Must have Competent English.
  • Applicant must be under 50.

2.2. Direct Entry Stream:

  • Applicant can in or outside Australia at the time of application.
  • Applicant must be less than 45 years old
  • Must have Competent English.
  • Must be nominated by the sponsoring employer in an Application for Approval.
  • Applicant must hold a licence of a particular kind, or hold registration of a particular kind, or be a member of a professional body.
  • Occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
  • Must have a positive Skills Assessment for that occupation.

2.3. Agreement Stream:

  • There must be a Labour Agreement signed between the sponsoring employer and the Australian Government.
  • Applicant can be in or outside Australia at the time of application.
  • Applicant must be less than 50 years old
  • Must have competent English.
  • Must be nominated by the sponsoring employer.
  • Applicant must hold a licence of a particular kind, or hold registration of a particular kind, or be a member of a professional body.
  • Occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.
  • Must have a positive Skills Assessment for that occupation.