It has now been over a week since significant changes were made to the Subclass 482 program, and it appears the rollercoaster ride of alterations is now over.
Now known as the Skills In Demand (SID) visa, the new and improved Subclass 482 comes with a new occupation list, caveats, eligibility requirements, and a clearer pathway to permanent residency.
Let’s explore these more closely.
Occupation List
The Core Skills stream of the Subclass 482 SID visa and the Direct Entry stream of the Subclass 186 ENS visa share a new occupation list, known as the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This was created based on reviews of the current labour market alongside community and stakeholder feedback, with the aim of shaping a list that actively addresses skill shortages in Australia. The CSOL is mapped to the 2022 version of the ANZSCO, which adds some newer occupations into the mix, such as roles in Cyber Security and Agritech.
Caveats
Some occupations on the CSOL have caveats attached, meaning the occupation cannot be used in certain circumstances. Common reasons include:
- Business size
- Business Turnover
- Annual Earnings; and
- Low skilled tasks
You may have heard of ‘Caveat 14’, which stated, ‘The position is not provided for under an International Trade Obligation’. It certainly caused a lot of confusion and controversy! Originally applied to a range of occupations including Chef, Managing Director, and Sales & Marketing Manager, it limited applicants to passport-holders of countries with which Australia has international trade obligations.
This caveat was swiftly removed from most occupations, and now only applies to three:
- Other Sports Coach or Instructor (Wushu Martial Arts Coach or Yoga Instructor Only)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
- Private Tutors and Teachers nec
At the same time, a new caveat was added (Caveat 16) to exclude the specialisation of ‘Brothel Keeper’ from the occupation Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants are now only required to demonstrate a minimum of 12 months of full-time employment within the last 5 years. Part-time and Casual periods of employment can be counted on a pro-rata basis.
English language requirements have increased for some applicants, bringing the definition of Vocational level English in line with other visa programs. This is an IELTS 5 in each band or PTE Academic 36 in each band, or equivalent. Exemptions and alternative acceptable evidence still apply.
Pathway to PR
To complement the 482 changes and the commitment to allow worker mobility, Immigration also introduced changes to the Subclass 186 ENS Temporary Residence Transitional stream. Subclass 482 visa holders can now count work in their occupation with any sponsor towards the 2-year work requirement for the permanent visa. This means that applicants who change sponsors for any reason do not need to start their 2 years again.
The change applies to all 482 visa holders, including those under the old Temporary Skills Shortage program (pre-7 December 2024).
Resources
AVIE’s website has been updated to reflect these changes, including a revised occupation list for the new and old visa programs. If you would like further information on how these changes affect visa holders, intending applicants, or businesses, please reach out to our Corporate Enquiry Team.