Australia TSS 482 Visa 2026: Requirements, Insurance & Application Guide

Updated February 2026 Official Home Affairs Requirements Health Insurance Mandatory

Overview

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) is Australia's primary employer-sponsored work visa. It allows Australian employers to address labor shortages by sponsoring skilled overseas workers for up to 4 years. The medium-term stream offers a pathway to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186).

Unlike some countries, Australia requires private health insurance for TSS 482 holders throughout their stay—even if they're from countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA). Understanding insurance options is essential, as inadequate coverage can affect your visa status.

Key Facts: Australia TSS 482 Visa

• Visa type: Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482)
• Streams: Short-term (2 years), Medium-term (4 years), Labour Agreement
• Salary threshold: AUD $73,150/year (TSMIT from July 2024)
• Health insurance: Mandatory private health insurance
• PR pathway: Medium-term stream leads to ENS 186
• Work rights: Full-time for sponsoring employer

Why Work in Australia?

High salaries: Competitive wages, especially in mining, tech, healthcare
Quality of life: Great weather, outdoor lifestyle, safe cities
PR pathway: Medium-term stream leads to permanent residence
English speaking: No language barrier
Strong economy: Low unemployment, growing sectors
Work-life balance: 4 weeks annual leave, good working conditions
Family friendly: Dependents can work and study
Healthcare quality: Excellent medical facilities

Quick Decision Guide

TSS 482 is Right If:

✓ Your occupation is on the skilled occupation list
✓ You have 2+ years relevant experience
✓ Salary meets $73,150 threshold
✓ You want a PR pathway (medium-term)
✓ You can arrange employer sponsorship
✓ You meet English requirements

Consider Other Options If:

• Your occupation isn't on the list
• Less than 2 years experience
• No employer willing to sponsor
• Salary below $73,150 threshold
• You prefer independent PR pathway (consider 189/190)

Understanding the Streams

Feature	Short-term Stream	Medium-term Stream	Labour Agreement
Duration	Up to 2 years	Up to 4 years	Up to 4 years
Occupation list	STSOL (Short-term)	MLTSSL (Medium/Long)	Per agreement
PR pathway	No	Yes (ENS 186)	Varies
Renewals	Once (onshore)	Unlimited	Per agreement
Common roles	Marketing, HR, Chefs	Engineers, IT, Medical	Regional, trade-specific

PR pathway tip: If you want permanent residence, ensure your occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Short-term stream occupations (STSOL) don't lead to PR via the employer nomination route.

Visa Requirements

The TSS 482 visa requires employer sponsorship, relevant experience, English proficiency, and health insurance. Your occupation must appear on Australia's skilled occupation lists, and some occupations require a formal skills assessment.

Requirement	Details	Evidence Needed
Sponsorship	Approved Australian employer sponsor	Nomination from sponsor
Occupation	On relevant skilled occupation list	Skills assessment (some occupations)
Experience	At least 2 years relevant experience	Employment references, payslips
English Language	IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 each band) minimum	IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET score
Health Insurance	Adequate health cover for visa duration	Insurance policy confirmation
Salary Threshold	AUD $73,150/year (TSMIT) from July 2024	Employment contract
Health & Character	Medical exam, police checks	Health exam, police certificates

Salary Threshold (TSMIT)

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) increased to AUD $73,150/year in July 2024. This is a significant increase from the previous $70,000 threshold. Your salary must meet or exceed this amount.

Market salary rate: Beyond TSMIT, your salary must also meet the annual market salary rate—what an Australian would be paid for the same role. If the market rate is higher than $73,150, you must be paid the market rate.

Skills Assessments

Some occupations require a skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority. This verifies your qualifications and experience match Australian standards.

IT professionals: ACS (Australian Computer Society)
Engineers: Engineers Australia
Accountants: CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA
Medical professionals: AHPRA, relevant medical boards
Trades: TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)

Check requirements early: Skills assessments can take 4-12 weeks. Start the process as soon as you have a job offer. Some assessments require additional qualifications or bridging courses, which add months.

Insurance Requirements

Health Insurance is Mandatory for TSS 482

All TSS 482 visa holders must maintain "adequate health insurance" for the duration of their stay. This is a visa condition—letting insurance lapse can affect your visa status. Private health insurance from an Australian provider is required.

Australia has a two-tier healthcare system: Medicare (public) and private health insurance. While some TSS 482 holders from RHCA countries can access Medicare, this doesn't satisfy the visa's insurance requirement—you still need private cover.

Medicare vs. Private Insurance

Feature	Medicare (RHCA countries)	Private Health Insurance
Eligibility	UK, Ireland, NZ, Belgium, Netherlands, etc.	All TSS 482 holders
Cost	Free (tax-funded)	AUD $150-400/month
GP visits	Free or subsidized	Often included, faster access
Hospital	Public hospitals free	Private hospital choice
Waiting times	Public system waits	Typically shorter
Visa requirement	Supplements but doesn't replace	Required for visa

Reciprocal Health Care Agreement Countries

Citizens of these countries can access Medicare for essential medical treatment, but still need private insurance for the visa:

Full Coverage

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Sweden
• Finland
• Norway
• Malta
• Slovenia
• Italy

Limited Coverage

• RHCA covers "immediately necessary" treatment only
• Doesn't cover elective procedures
• Doesn't cover private hospitals
• Doesn't satisfy visa requirements

No RHCA

• USA, Canada
• Most of Asia
• Most of Europe
• South America
• Africa
Must rely entirely on private insurance

What "Adequate Health Insurance" Means

The Department of Home Affairs doesn't specify exact requirements, but your policy should cover:

Hospital treatment: Public and/or private hospital admission
Medical services: GP visits, specialists, surgery
Emergency care: Ambulance and emergency treatment
Duration: Cover for your entire visa validity

OSHC not accepted: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is for students only. TSS 482 holders need standard private health insurance or overseas visitors health cover (OVHC) designed for working visa holders.

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Recommended Insurance Providers

TSS 482 holders need private health insurance that meets visa requirements. Australian providers offer OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) specifically designed for working visa holders.

Provider	Type	Monthly Cost (AUD)	Best For
Bupa Australia	Australian Private	$180-350	Largest network, visa-compliant
Medibank	Australian Private	$170-320	Strong hospital cover
NIB	Australian Private	$150-280	Budget-friendly, good extras
Cigna Global	International	$250-450	Global coverage, portable
Allianz Care	International	$220-400	Worldwide cover, flexible

Provider Recommendations by Situation

Visa Compliance Priority: Bupa Australia OVHC

Bupa's Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) is specifically designed for TSS 482 holders. It's widely accepted for visa purposes and includes hospital, medical, and emergency ambulance cover. The largest private health insurance network in Australia.

Budget-Conscious: NIB OVHC

NIB offers competitive OVHC rates with solid coverage. Good choice if you're healthy and want to minimize costs while meeting visa requirements. Their extras cover (dental, optical) is competitively priced.

International Portability: Cigna Global

If you might not stay in Australia long-term, or travel frequently, international insurance offers portability. Cigna Global covers you worldwide, so you keep the same policy if you relocate. Note: verify it meets Australian visa requirements.

Family Coverage: Medibank

Medibank offers strong family OVHC packages covering spouses and children. Good maternity coverage (after waiting periods) and pediatric care. Dependents on 482 visas also need health insurance.

Waiting periods: Most Australian private health insurance has waiting periods—2 months for general treatment, 12 months for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy. Factor this into your planning, especially if you have known healthcare needs.

Costs Breakdown

The TSS 482 visa has significant costs, split between you and your employer. The visa application fee varies by stream, and health insurance is an ongoing cost throughout your stay.

Cost Item	Amount (AUD)	Notes
Visa Application Fee	$1,455-2,645	Short-term $1,455, Medium-term $2,645
Nomination Fee	$330	Paid by employer
Skilling Australians Fund	$1,200-1,800/year	Paid by employer (small/large business)
Health Exam	$300-500	Panel doctor examination
Police Checks	$50-150	Per country lived in
Skills Assessment	$300-1,000	Required for some occupations
English Test	$350-400	IELTS, PTE, or equivalent
Health Insurance	$1,800-4,200/year	Mandatory for visa duration

Total Costs by Stream

Short-term Stream (2 years)

AUD $5,500-8,000

Visa + 2 years insurance + assessments

Medium-term Stream (4 years)

AUD $10,000-15,000

Visa + 4 years insurance + assessments

Employer vs. Employee Costs

Employer Typically Pays

• Nomination fee: $330
• Skilling Australians Fund: $1,200-1,800/year
• Sometimes: Visa application fee
• Sometimes: Relocation costs

You Typically Pay

• Visa application: $1,455-2,645
• Health insurance: $1,800-4,200/year
• Skills assessment: $300-1,000
• Health exam: $300-500
• Police checks: $50-150 per country

Negotiate costs: Some employers will cover all visa-related costs as part of relocation packages, especially for in-demand skills like IT and engineering. Ask during negotiations—this can save you $5,000-10,000.

Application Process

The TSS 482 process involves three stages: employer sponsorship approval, occupation nomination, and visa application. The employer handles the first two steps; you handle the visa application.

Step	Timeline	Who
Employer becomes approved sponsor	4-6 weeks	Employer
Employer lodges nomination	1-4 months	Employer
Skills assessment (if required)	4-12 weeks	You
Health exam and police checks	2-4 weeks	You
Lodge visa application	1-2 hours	You
Visa processing	2-6 months	Home Affairs
Visa grant notification	Via email	Home Affairs
Travel to Australia	Within validity	You

Step-by-Step Guide

Secure Job Offer from Approved Sponsor

Find an employer who's either already an approved sponsor or willing to become one. The job must be on the relevant skilled occupation list and pay at least $73,150. Get a written job offer with salary details.

Employer Applies for Sponsorship (if needed)

If not already approved, your employer applies to become a Standard Business Sponsor. This takes 4-6 weeks. Large companies are often already approved; check the sponsor register.

Employer Lodges Nomination

Your employer nominates the specific position for you. This includes job details, salary, location, and evidence the position is genuine. Processing takes 1-4 months depending on case complexity.

Complete Skills Assessment (if required)

Some occupations require skills assessment from a relevant body (ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineering, etc.). Start this early—it can take 4-12 weeks and may require additional documents.

Arrange Health Insurance

Get quotes from Australian OVHC providers (Bupa, Medibank, NIB). Purchase a policy that starts from your planned arrival date and covers your full visa period. Keep the policy certificate for your application.

Complete Health Exam and Police Checks

Attend a medical examination with a panel-approved doctor. Obtain police certificates from every country you've lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years. These are valid for 12 months.

Lodge Visa Application

Apply online through ImmiAccount. Include nomination TRN, skills assessment, health insurance certificate, English test results, and all supporting documents. Pay the visa application fee.

Wait for Grant and Travel

Processing takes 2-6 months. You can apply from outside Australia (recommended) or onshore on a valid visa. Once granted, you'll receive a visa grant notification email. Travel within the validity period.

Processing times vary: Current processing times range from 50 days to 6+ months depending on occupation and completeness of application. Submit a complete application with all documents to avoid delays from additional information requests.

Real-World Scenarios

Here's how different situations typically play out for TSS 482 visa holders in Australia:

Software Developer from India, $120,000 salary

Sydney tech company, 5 years experience, medium-term stream.

✓ Well above salary threshold. ACS skills assessment took 8 weeks. Got Bupa OVHC ($180/month). Visa processed in 3 months. Now on PR pathway—will apply for ENS 186 after 3 years. Company covered all visa costs.

Chef from UK, $75,000 salary

Melbourne restaurant, short-term stream, RHCA country.

△ Just above TSMIT. Has Medicare access via RHCA but still needed private insurance for visa. Got NIB OVHC basic ($150/month). Short-term stream—no PR pathway, but visa renewable once. Uses Medicare for bulk-billed GP visits, private for extras.

Civil Engineer from Philippines, $95,000 salary

Brisbane infrastructure project, medium-term stream.

✓ Engineers Australia assessment took 10 weeks (degree needed verification). No RHCA—fully dependent on private insurance. Got Medibank ($200/month). Visa processed in 4 months. Family joining on dependent visas—all need separate insurance.

Marketing Manager from US, $85,000 salary

Perth agency, short-term stream.

△ Marketing on STSOL list—no PR pathway. No RHCA, so no Medicare. Got Cigna Global (wanted US coverage for family visits). Short-term stream limits to 2 years with one renewal. May need to switch to different visa type for longer stay.

Registered Nurse from Ireland, $78,000 salary

Adelaide hospital, medium-term stream.

✓ Nursing on MLTSSL—PR pathway available. AHPRA registration required (took 6 weeks). Has Medicare via RHCA but got basic OVHC for visa compliance. Hospital helped with entire process. Clear path to ENS 186 and citizenship.

Accountant from China, $70,000 salary offer

Small accounting firm, hoped for sponsorship.

✗ Salary below $73,150 TSMIT threshold—nomination rejected. Firm couldn't increase offer. Had to look for higher-paying positions or consider skilled independent visa (189) instead. Eventually found role at $78,000 with different firm.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Letting Health Insurance Lapse

Maintaining adequate health insurance is a visa condition. If your policy expires or you cancel it, you're in breach. This can affect future visa applications and potentially lead to visa cancellation. Set up auto-renewal.

Assuming Medicare is Enough

Even if you're from an RHCA country and can access Medicare, you still need private health insurance for visa compliance. Medicare supplements your coverage but doesn't satisfy the visa requirement.

Not Checking Occupation List

Occupation lists change regularly. Confirm your specific ANZSCO code is on MLTSSL (for medium-term/PR pathway) or STSOL (short-term) before committing. An occupation removed from lists can derail plans.

Underestimating Skills Assessment Time

Skills assessments can take 4-12 weeks, and some require additional qualifications or English tests. Start immediately once you have a job offer. Don't assume your qualifications will be automatically recognized.

Working for Wrong Employer

TSS 482 is tied to your sponsoring employer. You can't legally work for a different employer without changing your visa. If you want to change jobs, the new employer must become your sponsor.

Healthcare in Australia

Australia has a high-quality healthcare system combining public Medicare and private insurance. As a TSS 482 holder, your access depends on your nationality and insurance choices. Even with Medicare access, private insurance is required for visa compliance.

Medicare for RHCA Countries

If you're from an RHCA country (UK, Ireland, NZ, etc.), you can access Medicare for "immediately necessary" treatment. This includes:

Bulk-billed GPs: Free visits at participating doctors
Public hospitals: Free emergency and inpatient care
PBS medications: Subsidized prescription medicines
Medicare rebates: Partial refund on specialist visits

RHCA limitations: Medicare through RHCA doesn't cover elective procedures, private hospitals, dental, optical, or ambulance in most states. It's not a full replacement for comprehensive health cover.

Using Private Health Insurance

Hospital Cover

Private insurance covers treatment in private hospitals, choice of doctor, and shorter wait times for elective surgery. In the public system, you take whoever's available with longer waits.

Extras Cover

Add extras cover for dental, optical, physiotherapy, and other services not covered by Medicare. Annual limits apply—check policy details.

Ambulance Cover

Ambulance isn't covered by Medicare in most states (only Tasmania and Queensland). Private insurance typically includes ambulance cover—essential given Australian distances.

Waiting Periods

Australian private health insurance has mandatory waiting periods:

2 months: General treatments, psychiatric services
6 months: Rehabilitation, palliative care
12 months: Pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, assisted reproduction

Plan ahead for pregnancy: Maternity coverage has a 12-month waiting period. If you're planning to start a family in Australia, arrange insurance at least a year before conception to have coverage when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need private health insurance if I have Medicare access?

Yes. Private health insurance is a visa condition regardless of Medicare eligibility. RHCA-based Medicare access doesn't satisfy the requirement. You must maintain private cover for the duration of your visa.

Can I switch employers on a TSS 482?

Yes, but the new employer must become your sponsor and lodge a new nomination. You'll need to apply for a new visa or have your existing visa transferred. You cannot work for the new employer until the process is complete.

What's the pathway to permanent residence?

Medium-term stream TSS 482 holders can apply for Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186) visa after 3 years with the same employer. This is a direct permanent residence visa. Short-term stream doesn't have this pathway.

Can my family work and study?

Yes. Dependents (spouse/de facto partner, children) on TSS 482 secondary visas have full work and study rights. They also need their own health insurance. Children can attend government schools (may involve fees depending on state).

What happens if I lose my job?

You have 60 days to find a new sponsor or apply for a different visa. During this period, your visa remains valid. If you can't find new sponsorship, you'll need to leave Australia or switch to another visa type (e.g., tourist visa for a short period).

Is travel insurance enough for the visa?

No. Travel insurance doesn't meet the "adequate health insurance" requirement. You need OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) from an Australian provider or comprehensive international health insurance that covers hospitalization and medical treatment in Australia.

Final Verdict

The TSS 482 visa offers a solid pathway for skilled workers to live and work in Australia, with the medium-term stream providing a clear route to permanent residence. The mandatory health insurance requirement, while an added cost, ensures you have quality healthcare access in a country with excellent medical facilities.

For visa compliance, Australian OVHC providers (Bupa, Medibank, NIB) are the safest choice—they're designed specifically for working visa holders and widely accepted. If you're from an RHCA country, you'll have Medicare as a bonus, but still need the private cover for visa purposes.

The higher salary threshold ($73,150 from July 2024) and skills assessment requirements mean more preparation, but Australia's quality of life, working conditions, and PR pathway make it worth the effort for many skilled professionals.

Bottom Line

The TSS 482 visa requires mandatory private health insurance—this is non-negotiable and must be maintained throughout your stay. Choose Australian OVHC for guaranteed visa compliance, and supplement with Medicare if you're from an RHCA country. Start skills assessment and insurance arrangements early for a smooth application.

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