This visa, referred to as the TSS visa, enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian. It facilitates targeted use of overseas workers to address temporary skill shortages, while ensuring that Australian workers get priority. TSS visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor under one of three streams:

  • the Short-Term stream
  • the Medium-Term stream
  • the Labour Agreement stream.

Eligibility

You must have the skills to fill a position nominated by an approved business for an approved occupation.

Length of stay

One to four years – depending on your nominated occupation, the visa stream and your circumstances

The streams

​Short-term stream

This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas skilled worker) on a temporary basis only in occupations listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation list (STSOL) for a TSS visa. It can be used to fill positions for a maximum of:

  • two years or
  • four years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.

​Medium-term stream

This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas skilled worker) for periods of up to four years in occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL) for a TSS visa.

Labour agreement stream

This stream is available if your employer wishes to sponsor you (as an overseas worker) and has entered into a labour agreement with the Department.

Eligibility- All streams

​Who could get this visa

You might be able to get this visa, as an overseas worker, if you:

  • have been nominated for a position by an approved sponsor and that nomination has been approved
  • meet any required skills and qualifications requirements including completing any skills assessments required
  • meet English language requirements
  • if in Australia, hold a substantive visa, a subclass 010 (Bridging A) visa, a subclass 020 (Bridging B) visa or a Subclass 030 (Bridging C) visa
  • have substantially complied with any conditions that apply or applied to your last visa
  • meet health and character requirements
  • meet the requirements of the stream in which you apply.

​Approved sponsor

Before you can apply for a TSS visa, your proposed employer will need to lodge a nomination application for you. They will only be able to do this if they are an approved sponsor or have at least lodged an application to become a standard business sponsor. Further information below is provided for employers on the sponsorship and nomination processes

Additional eligibility

Short-term stream

You might be able to get a visa under this stream if, in addition to the above general requirements, you:

  • have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years
  • are a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a short term visa holder (known as a ‘Genuine Temporary Entrant’ (GTE))
  • will be working directly for your sponsor or for an associated entity of your sponsor, unless the nominated occupation is exempt from this requirement

Medium-term stream

You might be able to get a visa under this stream if, in addition to the above general requirements, you:

  • have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years
  • will be working directly for your sponsor or for an associated entity of your sponsor, unless the nominated occupation is exempt from this requirement

​Labour agreement stream

You might be able to get a visa under this stream if, in addition to the above general requirements, you:

  • are nominated in an occupation included in a labour agreement which your employer has entered into with the Department
  • have worked in your nominated occupation, or a related field, for at least two years (unless this is not required under the labour agreement).