Strategies for mobilising talent to Australia

Australia boasts a thriving job market, especially in STEM sectors like energy, mining, infrastructure, and technology

Yet, the persistent scarcity of skilled professionals has created a pressing need for employers to explore innovative solutions. This article offers an in-depth exploration of the Australian job market, with a particular emphasis on the robust growth in STEM sectors.

It addresses the challenges businesses face due to the scarcity of skilled professionals and proposes effective migration strategies to solve this talent deficit.

Furthermore, the article provides a comprehensive guide for organisations looking to start an international recruitment plan. It outlines the crucial steps necessary for success in this endeavour, such as becoming a pre-approved sponsor, navigating the nomination process, and understanding the intricacies of the visa application process.

Together, these strategies and insights are designed to help organizations attract and retain the global talent necessary to thrive in the competitive Australian job market.

Here's a breakdown of what you can expect in the following sections:

• Understanding Australia's job market: TSS 482 as a gateway to mobilising talent
• Initiating international recruitment in Australia
• Becoming a pre-approved sponsor for the TSS subclass 482 program
• The visa application process under the 482 visa program
• Engaging talent and on-hire labor licensing
• Exploring the TSS subclass 482 visa
• Navigating the TSS 482 application process step-by-step
• Becoming a pre-approved sponsor
• How can Airswift help me with talent mobilisation?

Understanding Australia's job market: TSS 482 as a gateway to mobilising talent

Australia's STEM sectors, spanning energy, mining, infrastructure, and technology, are thriving. However, the consistent shortage of skilled professionals, along with a low unemployment rate of around 3 to 4%, poses a challenge for local employers.

Airswfit's GETI survey reveals a significant interest in global mobility among respondents, with 80% expressing a desire for international opportunities. This demand for international experiences creates a unique opportunity for employers to tap into the global talent pool.

However, competition is fierce, making effective recruitment and migration strategies paramount.

Initiating international recruitment in Australia

Engaging with international talent can be effectively accomplished by forming partnerships with companies specialising in navigating the complexities of Visa compliance and international hiring.

Additionally, organisations in Australia can directly hire overseas talent by utilising the Temporary Skilled Visa (TSS) subclass 482 program, which provides a pathway for businesses to address skill shortages by bringing in qualified workers from abroad to meet their specific needs.

Becoming a pre-approved sponsor for the TSS subclass 482 program

The Temporary Skilled Visa (TSS) subclass 482 is a temporary skilled visa program in Australia designed to address skill shortages and critical job roles. It relies on the Skilled Occupation List to determine eligible occupations. Australian employers can use this program to hire skilled overseas workers, either for short-term or medium-to-long-term roles, depending on the specific occupation.

To participate in this program, employers must become pre-approved sponsors, and the nomination and visa application processes involve demonstrating the genuine need for the position, implementing non-discriminatory recruitment practices, and evaluating the skills, qualifications, and work experience of the proposed employee. The program encompasses approximately 420 occupations and is vital in addressing the scarcity of skilled professionals in various sectors.

Eligibility criteria for sponsorships encompass:

•    Active and lawful business operations in Australia
•    A clean record without adverse information
•    Commitment to sponsorship obligations, including maintaining employment standards

The sponsorship process typically spans one to eight weeks and is valid for five years.

Following is a summary of the criteria required to become a pre-approved sponsor for the TSS Subclass 482 visa: 

1. Business eligibility check
   Verify that your business is an eligible Australian entity, legally registered.
   
   
2. Genuine need for skilled workers
   Clearly demonstrate that your business has a genuine need for skilled workers in specific occupations.
   
   
3. Nominate an occupation
   Select a relevant occupation from the skilled occupation list that aligns with your business requirements.
   
   
4. Labor market testing
   In most cases, conduct labour market testing to show that no suitable Australian workers are available for the nominated role.
   
   
5. Competitive salary and terms
   Offer a competitive salary and terms of employment that meet the Australian market salary rate for the nominated occupation.
   
   
6. Training obligations
   Commit to fulfilling training obligations for Australian employees, ensuring their skill development.
   
   
7. Online application submission
   Complete and submit the online application to become an approved sponsor.
   Provide necessary documentation and information as required.
   
   
8. Nomination fee
   Pay the nomination fee according to the fee structure set by the Department of Home Affairs.
   
   
9. Approval process
   Await the Department of Home Affairs' review of your application.
   If approved, you will be granted pre-approved sponsor status.
   
   
10. Ongoing sponsorship obligations
    Maintain your sponsorship obligations, including the requirement to provide training throughout the employment of foreign workers.
    
    
11. Nominating skilled workers
    After gaining pre-approved sponsor status, nominate specific skilled workers for the TSS Subclass 482 Visa as needed.
    
    
12. Record keeping 
    Keep accurate records of sponsored workers and ensure ongoing compliance with visa conditions.
    
    
13. Seek professional guidance
    Consider consulting a registered migration agent or legal expert to navigate the sponsorship process, as it can be complex.
    
    
14. Stay informed
    Stay up-to-date with any changes in immigration policies and requirements, as they may affect your sponsorship obligations.

The visa application process under the 482 visa program

In the 482 Visa Program's Visa Application Process, employers must evaluate candidates' skills and qualifications meticulously. This step is crucial in attracting skilled professionals to Australia. It involves:

• Assessing the skills, qualifications, and work experience of the proposed employee.
  
  
• Some countries require additional skills assessments based on the occupation.
  
  
• Employee requirements include a degree qualification and at least two years of full-time work experience.

Employers can access comprehensive information about the TSS subclass 482 program on the Home Affairs website. This program encompasses approximately 420 occupations, divided into short-term and medium-to-long-term categories. Short-term roles offer a two-year visa, while medium-to-long-term roles come with a four-year visa.

Engaging talent and on-hire labor licensing

Australia's STEM sectors are experiencing remarkable growth, yet the scarcity of skilled professionals persists, with an unemployment rate of around 3-4%. Accessing the right talent is vital for project development. The Airswift survey highlights an 80% interest in global mobility among respondents, emphasising the need for organisations to tap into this talent pool while ensuring compliance.

To engage talent effectively, employers require an on-hire labour license. This license can be acquired in two ways. The first involves partnering with a company that manages the entire process, from talent identification to compliant visa management and candidate payroll.

The second approach is to obtain the license directly. In this case, businesses must become pre-approved sponsors, a status that remains valid for five years, allowing them to nominate an unlimited number of overseas workers.

Exploring the TSS subclass 482 visa

The TSS Subclass 482 Visa is a temporary skilled visa program centred around the skilled occupation list. Developed by the Australian government in collaboration with the Departments of Education and Employment, it targets skill shortages and critical occupations, offering businesses an opportunity to hire overseas talent directly.

To become a pre-approved sponsor, businesses must commit to sponsorship obligations, including record-keeping and employment standards. The sponsorship process typically takes one to eight weeks to complete and remains valid for five years. The nomination process focuses on the position's significance.

The Home Affairs department assesses the scale and scope of the organisation to ensure a genuine need. Additionally, non-discriminatory recruitment practices and attempts to hire locally before seeking overseas talent are essential. The terms and conditions of employment must be on par with those offered to Australians in the same role.

Presently, around 420 occupations are open for sponsorship or nomination, categorised into short-term and medium-to-long-term roles. Short-term roles provide a two-year visa, while medium-to-long-term positions offer a four-year visa.

A step-by-step guide to navigating the TSS 482 application process 

Step1: Becoming a pre-approved sponsor

Employers planning international recruitment must secure pre-approved sponsor status, a five-year designation that allows organisations to nominate an unlimited number of overseas workers. To obtain this status, businesses must be active, lawfully operating in Australia, have a clean record, and commit to sponsorship obligations. The sponsorship process typically takes between one and eight weeks to complete.

Once an organisation holds pre-approved sponsor status, they can nominate overseas skilled workers. Home Affairs seeks evidence of a genuine need for the position, supported by the organisation's scale and scope. Non-discriminatory recruitment practices and labour market testing are required. The employment terms and conditions must mirror those for Australian employees in the same role and location.
The final step in the process is the visa application, which evaluates the proposed employee's skills, qualifications, and work experience.

Certain countries may necessitate additional skills assessments, but generally, a degree qualification and at least two years of full-time work experience are prerequisites for the 482 Visa program.

Employers can partner with companies specialising in international recruitment, talent identification, and visa management, or they can directly hire overseas talent through the TSS subclass 482 Visa program.

Step 2: The nomination process

Before proceeding with the nomination process, it's essential to understand the key components involved. The nomination process is a crucial step in bringing skilled overseas workers to Australia under the TSS subclass 482 program. It's about demonstrating a genuine need for a particular role within your organisation and ensuring the hiring process is conducted fairly and transparently.

This step is designed to prioritise local talent whenever possible and to guarantee that the terms and conditions offered to overseas workers align with those provided to Australian employees in similar roles. Here, we'll outline the specific criteria and actions involved in nominating skilled workers for the TSS subclass 482 visa.

• Demonstrating a genuine need for the position is essential.
• Implementing non-discriminatory recruitment practices.
• Providing terms and conditions of employment that are at least as favourable as those offered to Australians in the same role.

Employers seeking international talent must secure an on-hire labour license. Two methods exist to obtain this license. The first involves partnering with a company skilled in international recruitment, encompassing talent identification, visa management, and payroll. The second approach is for the employer to secure the on-hire labour license.

To acquire this license, the employer must first become a pre-approved sponsor, a five-year designation allowing unlimited nominations of overseas workers. Becoming a sponsor is relatively straightforward and typically takes one to eight weeks to finalise.

Upon obtaining sponsor status, employers must address the nomination process. This step emphasises the position's significance and the organisation's non-discriminatory recruitment practices. Local hiring attempts must precede overseas recruitment, and employment terms and conditions must match those offered to Australians in the same role and location.

The visa application process assesses the proposed employee's skills, qualifications, and work experience. Some countries may require additional skills assessments, but generally, a degree qualification and two years of full-time work experience are prerequisites for the 482 Visa program.

Employers can undertake these processes themselves or collaborate with companies such as Airswift. The Home Affairs website provides comprehensive information, including the occupation list, featuring around 420 occupations available for sponsorship or nomination. These occupations are categorised as short-term, offering a two-year visa, or medium-to-long-term, with a four-year visa.

Step 3: The visa application process

Employers keen on engaging international talent must initially secure an on-hire labour license. Two avenues are available: partnering with companies proficient in international recruitment processes or directly obtaining the license. The Temporary Skilled Visa (TSS) subclass 482 is the primary choice for skilled overseas workers, relying heavily on the Skilled Occupation List to address skill shortages and critical job roles.

To employ overseas workers directly, businesses must first obtain pre-approved sponsor status, which remains valid for five years. Every overseas skilled worker requires a nomination and subsequent visa application process. The nomination process necessitates demonstrating a genuine need for the position and implementing non-discriminatory recruitment practices. The visa application process evaluates the skills, qualifications, and work experience of the proposed employee.

Becoming a sponsor proves relatively straightforward, provided the business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia, maintains a clean record, and adheres to sponsorship obligations. The nomination and subsequent visa application process typically spans one to eight weeks.

For a more in-depth understanding of the processes, employers can visit the Home Affairs website. It's important to acknowledge that the process may vary based on the candidate's origin and specific occupation, prompting employers to consider support from firms like Airswift to ensure compliance and success in international recruitment.

How can Airswift help me with talent mobilisation?

Are you an Australian employer looking to unlock the potential of the global talent pool and address the scarcity of skilled professionals in STEM sectors?

It's time to take action and explore innovative solutions to attract and retain top talent. Airswift specialises in international recruitment and Visa compliance, offering a comprehensive and streamlined approach to help you engage with international talent effectively.

Whether you need assistance in becoming a pre-approved sponsor, navigating the nomination process, or handling the visa application process under the TSS subclass 482 program, Airswift can be your trusted partner in achieving success.

Don't miss the opportunity to tap into a wealth of global talent to support your project development and growth. Contact Airswift today and let us help you thrive in Australia's competitive job market.

Visit our Global Employment and Mobility page to learn about similar processes and the latest insights.