Pathway to Permanent Residence
From 1 July 2022, 482 Visa Holders in the Short Term Skill Shortage Stream may be able to transition to a 186 permanent visa provided that, among other things, the following criteria are met:
- They held or had applied for a 457 visa pre 18 April 2017 (herein referred to as "legacy 457 holders")
OR - They were in Australia for at least 12 months (cumulatively) between 1 Feb 2020 and 14 Dec 2021.
Other key criteria to be met include:
- being under 45 years old unless an exemption applies (ask your VE Consultant if this applies to you).
- having Competent Level English language ability + (see attached) or holding a passport from the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada, or New Zealand.
- having worked for their nominating employer for at least 3 years in the 4 years before applying (or 2 years in the 3 years before applying for legacy 457 holders).
- having a job offer from your sponsoring employer for a position that is available for at least 2 years following PR approval.
- all family members meeting health and character criteria.
Speak to your Visa Executive advisor today for a full assessment of eligibility for you and your nominating employer.
How can I prove I have competent English?
- You hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland and you are a citizen of that country.
- You have achieved a score of at least 6 in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test that has been undertaken in the three years immediately prior to lodging the visa application.
- You have achieved a score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four test components of an Occupational English Test (OET) that has been undertaken in the three years immediately prior to lodging the visa application.
- You have achieved the following minimum test scores in each of the four test components: 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking, in a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) test that has been undertaken in the three years immediately prior to lodging the visa application.
- You have achieved a test score of at least 50 in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) in a Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic that has been undertaken in the three years immediately prior to lodging the visa application.
- You have achieved a test score of at least 169 in each of the four test components (speaking, reading, listening and writing) in a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test that has been undertaken on or after 1 January 2015 and prior to lodging the visa application.
