The Australian Government has expanded the eligibility criteria for existing Subclass 482 (TSS) visa holders to become eligible for permanent residency in Australia.
The Government recently announced that TSS visa holders in the Medium-term stream with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) are now eligible for a pathway to permanent residency.
This update was made public on 13 February 2023.
This pathway to permanent residency is applicable for nominations under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, which is relevant to employer-sponsored visas, including Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa and Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa.
Prior to this recent policy amendment and the initial implementation of concessions back in July 2022, meeting the eligibility criteria for nomination under the TRT stream required the applicant to have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The legislation also allowed certain holders of Subclass 457 (Temporary Work Skilled) visas and TSS visa holders in the Short-term stream to access permanent residency.
This latest policy change builds upon the previously established concessions for temporary skilled visa holders in the Short-term stream by extending the same permanent residency pathway to eligible visa holders with an occupation listed on the Regional Occupation List (ROL). This pathway furnishes this new group of individuals with greater job security and more stable life in Australia.