Please note that the information we provide in this article about the 482 visa occupation list is current as of the date of publication, and the DHA regularly updates rules and regulations.
Kindly ensure that you check the official updates before making any decisions, or speak with an immigration lawyer for the most up-to-date information, as laws and conditions are subject to change.
This 482 visa occupation list will serve as your guide when looking for jobs in Australia. The 482 visa or the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) is a visa that helps employers fill in Australian worker shortages in their company.
According to a 2023 data analysis of skill shortages in Australia, 36% of occupations assessed were in national shortage (332 out of 916) which is 5 percentage points higher than the 2022 Skills Priority List (SPL).
Some specific job positions have more shortages, such as Technicians and Trade Workers. There are also shortages in the Professionals group like health professionals (doctors, nurses and midwives, dentists, etc).
482 Visa Occupation List
What’s on the 482 visa occupation list? If you’re thinking of applying for a TSS visa, here’s a 482 visa occupation list that will let you evaluate which profession or position fits your credentials:
Short Term Stream
- Accommodation and Hospitality Managers
- Acupuncturist
- Advertising Manager
- Business Machine Mechanic
- Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
- Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)
- Cardiac Technician
- Dental Specialist/Technician
- Enrolled Nurse
- Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic
- Pharmacy Technician
- Software Tester
- Specialist Managers
- Technical Director
- Telecommunications Linesworker
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
- Transport Company Manager
Medium Term Stream
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Aeroplane Pilot
- Agricultural Consultant
- Agricultural Engineer
- Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
- Accountant (General)
- Actuary
- Boat Builder and Repairer
- Building and Engineering Technicians
- Cardiologist
- Cardiothoracic Surgeon
- Computer Network and Systems Engineer
- Dental Hygienist
- Dentist
- Gastroenterologist
- Mechanical Engineer
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Medical Oncologist
- Medical Practitioners
- Neurologist
- Neurosurgeon
- Nurse Practitioner
- Registered Nurse
- Social Worker
For a more extensive list of the 482 visa occupation list, please visit the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) Skilled Occupation Lists page. Other lists may also include other employer sponsored work such as:
- Electronic instrument trades worker
- Health and welfare services managers
- Physical science professionals
- Carpentry and other wood trades workers
- Test engineers
- Other community health, medical practice, mental health, or family health-related work. This includes medical professionals who have expertise with people with a developmental disability.
482 Visa Occupation List: Short Term vs. Medium Term
What’s the difference between the short term stream and the medium term stream? Mainly, the difference is the allowance of the duration of stay.
For the short term stream, the visa holder can stay for up to 2 years. However, this may be stretched to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies. An ITO is a commitment that countries enter into when they accept memberships from international trade agreements.
For the medium term stream, the visa holder can stay for up to 4 years. But, if you are a Hong Kong passport holder, you can stay for up to 5 years. Another difference between the two streams is that, the medium term stream allows you to study in Australia, while the short term does not.
As to the application cost, the short term costs AUD 1,495 and the medium term is more expensive, amounting to AUD 3,115.
482 Visa Occupation List: General Job Application Requirements
If you already have an occupation in mind that you want to pursue, here are some job application requirements that you must prepare:
- Occupation. Your occupation must be listed on one of the following: Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL); Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), or Regional Occupation List (ROL).
- Skills assessment. If your chosen occupation requires this, you must comply with this test within a three year period, before you submit.
- Employer sponsorship. The Australian employer must sponsor you for the 482 visa and they must be allowed to sponsor overseas workers.
- Work experience. This one’s important. Having documentary records of your work experience will help your employer evaluate whether or not you are fit for the job.
- English language proficiency tests. You must also show that you comply with the English language proficiency requirement for the specific job you want. However, there are also exceptions (see here).
- Health requirements. Complying with Australia’s health requirements is also important. You will be required to take health tests to prove that you comply with this requirement.
- Character requirements. Character requirements include proving that you don’t have criminal records, you haven’t been convicted of a sexually based crime involving a child, or escaping from the immigration detention centre.
Moreover, there might also be specific requirements that the DHA will ask from you:
- Specific qualifications
- Registration and licence
- Formal job offer from employer
Employer Sponsorship for the 482 Visa
Having essential knowledge about the employer sponsorship in Australia when applying for a 482 visa occupation will help you get through the journey. If you need legal help, don’t hesitate to contact an immigration lawyer immediately.
Why is employer sponsorship a requirement? Employer sponsorship is one of the essentials that will land you your dream job in Australia. In this section, we will briefly discuss who can become a sponsor, who can be sponsored, and how to sponsor a worker.
Any legal and operating business can apply to become a sponsor. After approval, the business must also apply for accreditation. As an approved sponsor, you can now sponsor temporary or permanent workers, skilled workers, and other high-skilled niche roles.
To sponsor a worker, you must do the following steps:
- Establish that you can’t find an Australian worker for the position.
- The occupation must be on the 482 visa occupation list.
- Check the type of visa that suits the employee and your requirements.
- Apply to become a sponsor.
- Nominate the application.
- Complete the visa application.
If you plan to do this, know that there will be costs to the transaction. Here’s a complete list of the application costs:
- Becoming an approved 482 visa sponsor: AUD420
- Nominating a 482 visa applicant: AUD330
- Payment for the Skilling Australians Fund Levy: The amount will depend on the business turnover and the proposed period of stay of the employee. The levy payments are tax deductible.
Note that it is against Australian law when a person pays an employer to sponsor a visa for him or her. Situations such as:
- A person paying the employer in exchange for visa sponsorship
- An employer deducting an amount from their salary or
- A person providing any other benefit to the employer.
Experiencing Immigration Challenges? Consult JB Solicitors.
Complying with immigration requirements for Australia requires you to be meticulous and efficient in all your transactions. However, there are transactions that will require the help immigration lawyers and legal professionals.
At JB Solicitors, our immigration lawyers can assist you with everything you need throughout the entire process. We can help you with:
- Visa application process
- Removal and deportation proceedings
- Citizenship application
- Business immigration
- Other immigration issues about the relevant state or territory that you want to move in or work for.
