New PR pathway for 482 TSS visa holders under the medium-term stream

Highlights

• New PR pathway for 482 TSS visa holders under the medium-term stream

• Qualifications for Temporary Residence Transition stream (TRT)

• List of industries desperately in need of workers

Skilled migrants who were employed in Australia amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but were prevented from applying for permanent residency due to a stealthy alteration in visa regulations, will now be granted permission to remain.

New PR pathway for 482 TSS visa holders under the medium-term stream

The pathway to permanent residency, initially made available to short-term Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders last year, is now being broadened. The recent directives from the Immigration of Home Affairs now include those TSS visa holders under the medium-term stream with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List.

This implies that migrants who were on the medium-term stream will now have the opportunity to seek permanent residency provided that they spent a minimum of one year in Australia from 1 February 2020 to 14 December 2021. Also, the new legislation introduced by the Department on 18 March 2022 is applicable only for nominations under the Temporary Residence Transition stream (TRT).

Qualifications for Temporary Residence Transition stream (TRT)

This new immigration policy amendment provides a pathway to permanent residency for short-term and medium-term TSS visa holders through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.

Here is the list of qualifications for the TRT stream:

• You must hold a subclass 457, TSS or related Bridging visa A, B or C

• Usually, have worked for your employer for at least 3 years full-time while holding a subclass 457 or TSS visa

• Have been nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved 6 months before you apply

• Eligible TSS – short-term and medium-term stream visa holders and those visa holders with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) will be able to apply through the TRT stream. The pathway will be accessible for two years from its commencement on 1 July 2022.

List of industries desperately in need of workers

The recent employment vacancy data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlights the difficulties that certain companies have faced in finding workers.

According to Andrew Barker, a senior economist at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), the outcomes were "extremely noticeable". He noted that job openings in the accommodation and food services, as well as in arts and recreation sectors, had increased by over 200%, while vacancies in retail trade had gone up by over 140%.

Here are the top 5 industries reporting job vacancies with the percentage of businesses looking for workers:

1. Accommodation and food services - 45.3%

2. Administrative and support services- 36.8%

3. Other services - 36.7%

4. Public administration and safety - 35%

5. Retail trade - 31.5%

As there is an increasing need for workers, a more aggressive measure is being taken by the government to just close the skills gap in the country. To capitalize on this opportunity, it is crucial to seek guidance from professionals who can effectively map out your migration pathway. Our team of migration experts has extensive experience in the field and has helped numerous individuals relocate to Australia. Leveraging our knowledge and expertise, we can guide you through the migration process, and ensure that you avoid common mistakes that may hinder your visa application.