TSS 482 Visa Condition 8607 and Changing Employers

Note: The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa on 7 December 2024. This page is kept for reference only. For current requirements, see the Skills in Demand visa.

It is critical that the TSS 482 visa holder and business sponsor adhere to the obligations and conditions of the 482 visa when it is approved. Failure to meet the conditions will result in visa cancellations and/or removal of sponsorship status for the business.

Changing employers

If you have an approved TSS 482 visa it is possible to change employers, but only after the following requirements have been met:

The new employer must become an Approved Business Sponsor (stage one of the 482 process).
A nomination application must be lodged for the same nominated occupation as you currently hold.
You cannot start working for the new employer until the sponsorship and nomination are approved.
You need to be aware of the conditions on your 482 visa such as condition 8607, which says that your visa may be cancelled if you cease working for your sponsor for more than 180 days.

If you want to change employers and change positions, then you will need to consider the following three stages:

The new employer must become an Approved Business Sponsor (stage one of the 482 process).
A nomination application must be lodged for the same nominated occupation as you currently hold.
You may need to also lodge a new visa application. If the new position is a different occupation, the Department of Home Affairs may need to check that you have the required skills for the new occupation.

Changes to visa condition 8607

From 1 July 2024, significant changes were implemented to the 482 visa condition 8607 and the 494 visa condition 8608 as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy, which was released in December 2023. These changes are designed to reduce the exploitation of immigrants in Australia and to provide more flexibility for visa holders.

Summary of changes

Extended period to find a new sponsor: employer-sponsored visa holders have 180 days to find a new sponsor if they quit or are fired (previously it was only 60 days).
Maximum total period: a maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period.
Flexibility in employment: during this period, visa holders are allowed to work for different employers, including in occupations not listed in their most recently approved sponsorship nomination. This flexibility ensures that visa holders can support themselves financially while searching for a new sponsor.

Obligations

Notification requirement: sponsors must notify the Department if a visa holder ceases work within 28 days, whether the visa holder resigns or their employment is terminated.
Employment restrictions: unless exempt, visa holders cannot work for another employer unless they have ceased work with their sponsoring employer.
Nominated occupation: visa holders must remain in their nominated occupation while working for their existing sponsor.
Licensing and registration: visa holders must not do any work inconsistent with any licence or registration needed for their nominated occupation.