Australia announced a significant change to its business sponsored subclass 482 visa – soon to be renamed the Skills in Demand Visa. The work experience requirement for 482 visa applicants will be reduced to one year.
This adjustment will mark a turning point for employers and skilled workers alike, opening new opportunities for businesses to fill critical skill gaps and for workers to bring their expertise to Australia more quickly.
What is the 482 Visa?
The 482 visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill positions they cannot fill with local talent. Currently it’s divided into streams, including the Short-Term and Medium-Term streams, catering to different industry needs. For years, the requirement for work experience was three years which was reduced to two years last year. That had been a barrier for many candidates, particularly young professionals or recent graduates with strong skills but limited time in the workforce.
What’s Changing?
The government announced the work experience requirement will drop from 2 years to one year. This means applicants will only need 12 months of relevant experience in their nominated occupation to qualify for a 482 visa.
But…
Just as we thought this change was imminent this month. However, as the Migration Institute of Australia notes, “for this change to come into effect a legislative instrument would need to be released which amends regulations … No legislative instrument to this effect has been released therefore, it is highly unlikely that this change will commence on 23 November 2024.”
What will this Mean for Sponsoring Employers?
For sponsoring employers, this change is a significant:
- Broader Pool: Employers can now access a broader pool of candidates with newer skills and up-to-date qualifications.
- Addressing Skill Shortages: Industries struggling to find skilled workers locally will benefit from a more streamlined process to bring in much-needed talent.
- Adaptability: opening the talent pool to early career skilled workers is an opportunity for business sponsors to attract adaptable staff, receptive to company culture and new ways of working.
What Does this Mean for Skilled Workers?
For skilled workers looking to make Australia their temporary or permanent home:
- More Opportunities: Candidates with less work experience now have a greater chance of being eligible for jobs in Australia.
- Career Advancement: Workers can gain international experience sooner, which is often a career booster.
- A New Start: For many, this opens the door to migrating and building a life in Australia earlier in their careers.
A Caveat on Skills Assessments
While the reduction in work experience to one year is a significant development, it’s important to note that many 482 visa occupations require a skills assessment as part of the application process. Many of these assessments still require three years of professional experience to demonstrate competency in the field. This means that for some occupations, the work experience reduction may have limited practical impact. Applicants should carefully review the requirements for their specific occupation to understand how this change applies to them.
Why is Australia Making This Change?
The Australian government recognizes the urgency of addressing nationwide skill shortages. Over the past few years, various sectors, including healthcare, engineering, technology, early learning and hospitality, have struggled to find enough workers to meet demand. The COVID-19 pandemic only deepened these shortages by disrupting migration and training pipelines.
By reducing the work experience requirement:
- Young Talent Is Attracted: Australia hopes to draw in skilled younger workers who can arguably more easily adopt company-specific processes and values.
- Economic Growth Is Supported: By filling skill gaps more efficiently, businesses can grow and thrive, contributing to the economy.
- Global Competition Is Met: Australia stays competitive in the global talent market.
What’s the Bigger Picture?
Australia’s population is aging. This change reflects a broader strategy to make Australia more competitive as a destination for skilled migration and increase a younger workforce to help support Australia’s aging population. It’s also part of an ongoing effort to ensure the immigration system meets the needs of the modern workforce while maintaining fairness and opportunities for local Australians.
For employers and workers, this shift is a step towards a more accessible and responsive visa system.
Got questions or need help navigating the new 482 visa requirements? Reach out to explore how this change might work for you.
Author: Greg Nicolson (MARN 0959 139) is a registered migration agent with 15 years of Australian visa and migration experience and MD of the Australian Business Migration Group.
Sources: MIA, Department of Home Affairs
Call: 1300 794 680
