​The Department of Home Affairs has made some changes to the permanent residence visa schemes, which took effect from 01 July 2022. Primarily aimed toward skilled migrant workers who chose to stay in Australia during the pandemic, these visas are Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 (Short-term stream) and Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457 visa holders.

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa holders in the short-term stream

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders in the short-term stream are able to apply for permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa. Eligibility criteria: – have been in Australia for at least one year between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 – meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the ENS visa. It is important to note that this pathway will be available only for two years from 1 July 2022. These arrangements also apply to Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457 visa holders with an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). This will allow eligible subclass 457 visa holders to apply for the TRT stream of the ENS without first applying for a TSS visa. Note – When the TSS visa replaced the subclass 457 visa, the transitional arrangements for subclass 457 visa holders seeking permanent residence through the TRT stream came into effect. Although these transitional arrangements were due to end on 18 March 2022, they will continue to be available with a review due in another two years.

Legacy Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457 visa holders who no longer meet the age requirement

Eligible legacy subclass 457 visa holders can now seek an age exemption when applying through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa. Eligibility criteria: – have held a subclass 457 visa on or after 18 April 2017 – have been in Australia between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 for at least one year – meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the ENS visa. The age exemption will be accessible for two years from 1 July 2022.