Temporary Workers

A temporary work visa lets you come to Australia to work on a temporary basis. There might be a visa condition on your visa that only allows specific work or work with a certain employer.

A provisional visa is also a temporary visa that provides a permanent pathway. You may be able to apply for a permanent visa related to the provisional visa.

This is a list of Temporary work visas available.

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) – Sponsorship needed
• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
• Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
• Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
• Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Sponsorship needed

New regional visa

Two new skilled regional provisional visas will be available for skilled migrants, and dependent family members, who want to live and work in regional Australia from 16 November 2019.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – for people nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional
Australia. Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) – for people sponsored by an the employer in regional Australia

Subclass 482: Temporary Skill Shortage visa

Short-term stream:

This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

You can stay for up to 2 years or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.

​​​​​​The occupation is on the short-term skilled occupations list.

Medium-term stream:

This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

Up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.

​​​​​​Your occupation is on either the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).  You can work in Australia for up to four years

Labour agreement stream:

This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement. It lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.

Up to a maximum of 4 years, depending on the terms in the labour agreement.  Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.