Key Points
- Australia will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa with a new visa category known as the Skills in Demand visa
Skills in Demand Visa
Australia introduced requirements for its new Skills in Demand visa category. According to the government, these measures aim to create long-term reform efforts in the country.
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa launched on 7 December 2024. This visa offers three pathways based on a foreign national’s proposed earnings. This visa pathway will be granted for up to four years and offers a pathway to permanent residency. Sponsors must show they are financially viable and can pay the market salary rate for the nomination duration. They must also have the financial capacity to employ the worker throughout the nominated period.
- Specialist Skills Stream: For occupations in the ANZSCO major group: 1,2,4,5 or 6. The minimum salary threshold is set at AUS $135,000.
- Core Skills Stream: For occupations under the new Core Skills Occupation List (SCOL). The minimum salary threshold is $73,150 and will be indexed annually with the average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE).
- Labour Agreement Stream
Work Experience Requirements:
- Applicants must provide at least 12 months of full-time equivalent work experience in the past 5 years before submitting their application.
- This work experience can include part-time or casual roles as long as they are equivalent to full-time hours.
- Applicants must meet the specific skills requirements of the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations). This means that applicants must have the necessary qualifications, skills, and employment background to fulfill the tasks of the nominated occupation.
English Language Requirements: The Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams have the exact English requirements and are identical to the previous MLTSSL streams. This is an IELTS or equivalent score of at least five in each component.
Transitional Measures
If applicants lodge a Subclass 482 nomination and visa application before 7 December 2024, the government will process them according to the previous 482 (TSS) requirements.
Suppose applicants lodge a Subclass 482 nomination before 7 December 2024 without an associated Subclass 482 visa application. In that case, the government will allow the visa application to be lodged under the SID and linked to the previously approved nomination.
For applications lodged after 7 December 2024, the government will process them under the new SID requirements
Eligibility for ENS (186 TRTS):
- Visa applicants must have completed two years of full-time employment in the same occupation in Australia within the last three years as Subclass 457, 482 (TSS), and/or 482 (SID) visa holders.
- Employment does not need to be with the same sponsor throughout the two years as long as the applicant has worked continuously for the required period (excluding unpaid leave).
Eligibility for ENS (186 DES):
- Limited to occupations on the CSOL.
- The requirements have not changed. Applicants still require a positive skills assessment and three years of relevant full-time equivalent experience.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at Corporate Immigration Partners, P.C., or another qualified professional of your choosing. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult your Envoy representative, or another qualified representative of your choosing.
