Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa vs. Temporary Work Visa 457

Attribute	Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa	Temporary Work Visa 457
Visa Type	TSS Visa	457 Visa
Duration	Up to 2 or 4 years	Up to 4 years
Occupation List	Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)	Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL)
English Language Requirement	Minimum score of 5 in each component of IELTS (or equivalent)	Minimum score of 5 in each component of IELTS (or equivalent)
Sponsorship	Employer sponsorship required	Employer sponsorship required
Training Requirement	Training benchmark requirement	Training benchmark requirement
Salary Threshold	Market salary rate	Market salary rate
Visa Application Fee	Varies depending on the stream and duration	Varies depending on the stream and duration

Introduction

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457 are both temporary work visas offered by the Australian government. These visas allow skilled workers from overseas to work in Australia for a specified period. While they share similarities, there are also notable differences between the two visas. This article aims to compare the attributes of TSS Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457, highlighting their key features, requirements, and benefits.

Visa Duration

One of the primary differences between TSS Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457 is the duration of stay permitted. Temporary Work Visa 457 allowed visa holders to work in Australia for up to four years. However, with the introduction of TSS Visa, the duration has been modified. TSS Visa offers two streams: the Short-Term stream and the Medium-Term stream. The Short-Term stream allows visa holders to work for up to two years, while the Medium-Term stream allows visa holders to work for up to four years. This change provides more flexibility for employers and employees, depending on their specific needs and requirements.

Occupation Lists

Another significant difference between TSS Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457 lies in the occupation lists associated with each visa. Temporary Work Visa 457 had a Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) that included a wide range of occupations. However, TSS Visa introduced two occupation lists: the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The STSOL includes occupations eligible for the Short-Term stream, while the MLTSSL includes occupations eligible for the Medium-Term stream. This division ensures that the visa program aligns with Australia's current skill needs and priorities.

English Language Requirements

English language proficiency is an essential aspect of both TSS Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457. However, the specific requirements differ between the two visas. Temporary Work Visa 457 required visa applicants to demonstrate a minimum score of 5 in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or an equivalent score in an approved English language test. On the other hand, TSS Visa requires a higher level of English proficiency. Visa applicants must achieve a minimum score of 5 in each component of IELTS (or equivalent) for the Short-Term stream, and a higher score of 5 in each component for the Medium-Term stream. This change ensures that visa holders have a better command of the English language, facilitating effective communication in the workplace.

Training Requirement

Both TSS Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457 have training requirements for employers. However, the training benchmarks differ between the two visas. Temporary Work Visa 457 had two training benchmarks: Benchmark A and Benchmark B. Benchmark A required employers to spend at least 2% of their payroll on training Australian employees, while Benchmark B required employers to contribute at least 1% of their payroll to an industry training fund. TSS Visa, on the other hand, introduced a simplified training requirement. Employers are now required to contribute to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which aims to support the training of Australian workers. This change streamlines the training requirement process and ensures that employers contribute to the development of the local workforce.

Labour Market Testing

Labour market testing is a crucial aspect of both TSS Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457. It ensures that employers have made genuine efforts to hire Australian workers before seeking overseas talent. However, the requirements for labour market testing have been strengthened with the introduction of TSS Visa. While Temporary Work Visa 457 required employers to provide evidence of labour market testing efforts, TSS Visa imposes stricter requirements. Employers must now demonstrate that they have tested the local labour market by advertising the position in Australia and providing evidence of their efforts. This change aims to prioritize the employment of Australian workers and protect the local job market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa and Temporary Work Visa 457 are both temporary work visas that allow skilled workers to work in Australia. While they share similarities, such as the requirement for sponsorship by an approved employer, there are notable differences between the two visas. TSS Visa offers more flexibility in terms of visa duration, introduces occupation lists specific to each stream, requires a higher level of English language proficiency, simplifies the training requirement process, and imposes stricter labour market testing requirements. These changes aim to align the visa program with Australia's current skill needs, protect the local job market, and ensure that visa holders have the necessary skills and language proficiency to contribute effectively in the workplace. It is essential for employers and prospective visa applicants to understand these differences and choose the visa that best suits their needs and circumstances.