For many temporary skilled worker visas, the pathway to permanent residency is hard to navigate. The lack of certainty makes planning difficult for both business sponsors and visa holders.
One of the avenues available to permanent residency for temporary visa holders, like those on sublcass 482 visas, is via the TRT stream of the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, which grants permanent residency.
This stream has only been open to individuals who have been working for their employer on a Temporary Skill Shortage subclass 482 visa in the Medium-Term stream and for at least three years.
However, the government announced three significant changes to the TRT stream which is expected to take effect by the end of 2023.
By 2024, the pathway will be made available to all individuals who have been sponsored by an employer through the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa program. TSS / subclass 482 visa-holders who are looking to transition to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme will need to continue to work in the same occupation nominated for their TSS visa.
Another change to eligibility for the TRT pathway is the number of years of employment a 482 visa holder has accrued with their business sponsor. This will reduce from three years to two years by 2024.
The third change announced affects the location of where renewal applications for visa holders on a Short term stream 482 visa can make in Australia. This means visa-holders often have to leave the country to submit a new application.The rule change will enable visa holders to apply for another short term stream TSS visa on shore in Australia.
“Allowing existing TSS visa holders to apply to renew their short-term stream visa on shore in Australia is a lot of more practical for visa holders and their sponsoring employer. When this change is introduced,this should ease the interruption to staffing for businesses,” Greg Nicolson of the Australian Business Migration Group said. “These measures are designed to address more immediate skill shortages and provide more certainty for employers and visa holders alike.”
