Australian officials have announced the proposed expansion of the permanent residence pathway for temporary skill shortage subclass 482 visa holders will begin Nov. 25.

Key Points:

• Government officials previously announced they would reform parts of the skilled migration program specifically under the employer-sponsored temporary skill shortage visa subclass 482 short-term and labor agreement streams.
• The proposed change will mean that SC 482 visa holders in the short-term and labor agreement streams will be eligible for permanent residence through the employer nomination scheme 186 visa in the temporary resident transition stream. This was previously limited to SC 482 visa holders in the medium- and long-term stream.
• In addition, the period of time required to qualify for the SC 186 visa in the TRT stream will be reduced to two years, which was previously not available until after three years of sponsored employment.
• Holders of a SC 482 visa in the short-term stream will no longer need to travel offshore to apply for a third visa, as is currently the case.

BAL Analysis: The details of the final changes have not yet been announced, but government officials have now said the proposed implementation date will be Nov. 25. This is a welcome change for temporary skill shortage subclass 482 visa holders who are sponsored on the short-term skilled occupation list. BAL will provide more information once the changes are implemented.