Accessing Permanent Residence in Australia Made Easier for TSS Visa Holders

Immigration News

The Australian government has announced a new permanent residence pathway for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List. These changes, which commenced on July 1, 2022, aim to improve access to permanent residency for skilled migrant workers who chose to stay in Australia during the pandemic.

Under these new changes, TSS visa holders who have been in Australia for at least one year between February 1, 2020, and December 14, 2021, are eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa. However, they must also meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the ENS visa.

This new pathway is not just for Short-term stream TSS visa holders but also available to Medium-term stream TSS visa holders with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List. The pathway will be available for two years from July 1, 2022.

The Regional Occupation List (ROL) includes several occupations across a range of industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and construction. The occupations on this list are in high demand in regional Australia and have been identified as essential for the continued growth and development of regional areas.

For TSS visa holders who have been living and working in regional Australia for at least one year, this new pathway provides a valuable opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Australia. It is a way for these skilled migrant workers to contribute to the Australian economy and society for the long term.

The ENS visa program is designed to help Australian employers fill skilled vacancies in their business. The program has two streams: the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and the Direct Entry (DE) stream.

The TRT stream is available for subclass 457 and TSS visa holders who have been working for their employer in Australia for at least three years. The DE stream is for applicants who have not worked in Australia before or have only worked in Australia for a short period.

To be eligible for the TRT stream of the ENS visa, TSS visa holders must have worked for their employer in Australia for at least three years, or for two years if they were granted their TSS visa under a labour agreement. They must also meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements and have the necessary skills and qualifications to perform their job.

The ENS visa program has several benefits for both employers and employees. For employers, it provides a way to fill skilled vacancies in their business and ensure they have access to the skills they need to grow and succeed. For employees, it provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia, allowing them to establish a long-term future in the country and contribute to the Australian economy and society.

In conclusion, the new permanent residence pathway for TSS subclass 482 visa holders with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List is a welcome change that will provide skilled migrant workers with a valuable opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Australia. This is an excellent opportunity for those who have been living and working in regional Australia for at least one year to establish a long-term future in the country and contribute to its economic growth and development.

It is important for TSS visa holders who are eligible for this new pathway to take advantage of it before the two-year window closes. This pathway is subject to change, and there is no guarantee that it will be available beyond the two-year period. Therefore, TSS visa holders who are eligible should start preparing their applications as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this valuable opportunity.