The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa program helps businesses address labour shortages by hiring skilled workers where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian.
Overview of requirements for approval as a sponsor
The government will want to see that any applicant is a lawfully operating business that has no adverse information about it / a person associated with the business. It will also be important to demonstrate that the business is/will be actively operating in Australia. The business is able to be in or outside of Australia at the time of application.
The business should also be able to demonstrate a strong record of or a commitment to employing local labour.
Businesses are not permitted to seek / take any action that would result in the transfer to another person, or another person paying, some or all of the costs (including migration agent costs) associated with becoming an approved work sponsor.
What type of entity can be a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)?
A SBS should can be a:
- sole trader
- partnership
- proprietary company
- public company
- government department
- statutory authority
- not-for-profit-organisation or
- educational institution.
The evidence provided in support of an SBS application will vary depending on the type of entity that is sponsoring.
Streams available
There are three streams available under the TSS visa program:
- Short-term stream –for employers to source temporary overseas skilled workers to fill short-term positions in a range of occupations (usually for a maximum period of two years)
- Medium-term stream –for employers to source highly skilled overseas workers to fill medium-term critical skills for up to four years, with flexibility to allow for permanent residence after three years.
- Labour Agreement stream – this is the temporary visa where an employer has a labour agreement with the government to source skilled overseas workers
Employees that hold a TSS visa are able to work with businesses in their approved occupation and also bring any dependant family members with them to work and study in Australia.
The above is only an overview and we recommend that you contact us to discuss your options to sponsor an employee to live and work in Australia.
