Options if You Do Not Have Enough Work Experience for the Skills in Demand Subclass 482 Visa

Employer-sponsored visa options have a minimum requirement for work-experience at the required skill level in order to be eligible for the specific visa. However, if you do not hold sufficient work experience post qualification, you may still have options for remaining in and working in Australia to gain this additional work experience in your occupation.

The Training (subclass 407) Visa allows an individual to take part in workplace-based occupational training activities to improve your skills and attain further work experience in your occupation. It is a temporary visa and will allow the individual to remain in Australia for up to two years; however, it does offer a pathway to permanent residence in the future.

For example, if an individual does not have the required qualifications and work experience to apply for a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Visa (temporary visa with a pathway to a permanent visa) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Visa (permanent visa), they may consider whether a Training Visa would be suitable for them and their employer.

There are three types of occupational training covered by the subclass 407 visa

1. Occupational training required for registration

This refers to workplace-based training that is required to get the occupational registration, membership or licensing that is mandatory to work in a specific occupation in Australia, or the nominee’s home country. For example, occupations generally in the health, engineering and other regulated fields require registration or licensing to practice.

2. Occupational training to improve skills in an eligible occupation

These workplace-based structured training programs are specifically tailored and timed to the training needs of the nominated person to address the individual’s identified training needs and skill gaps.

Nominees must demonstrate recent and relevant work experience in the nominated occupation, in order to be eligible for this type of training program.

3. Occupational training for capacity building overseas

This option includes the following:

• Overseas qualification: workplace-based training in Australia for up to 6 months for students who are currently enrolled in a foreign institution and must complete a period of practical training, research or observation to get their qualification;
• Government support: workplace-based occupational training which has the support of a government agency in Australia, or the government in the home country of the nominated trainee; and
• Professional development purposes.

The applicant’s sponsoring employee must be an approved Temporary Activities Sponsor.

To be an approved temporary activities sponsor, the employer must be either:

• an Australian organisation lawfully established and operating in Australia such as a company, body corporate, partnership, non-profit organisation or an unincorporated body (other than an individual, sole proprietor or sole trader);
• an Australian Commonwealth, state or territory government agency;
• a foreign government agency lawfully operating in Australia, such as a consular or diplomatic mission, foreign tourist or media bureau, trade office or other foreign national government entity or
• an international organisation recognised by Australia and lawfully operating in Australia, such as the United Nations;
• an organisation that operates a superyacht, or the owner or captain of a superyacht;
• a sporting organisation lawfully operating in Australia; or
• a religious institution lawfully operating in Australia.

RAMSDEN LAWYERS – HOW WE CAN HELP

If you wish to apply for an employer-sponsored visa, but don’t have enough post-qualification work experience, our Migration Division has considerable expertise in this area and can advise you further regarding the Training (subclass 407) Visa. We are happy to arrange an obligation-free consultation to help you navigate the relevant legislation for your specific circumstances. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

The content of this article is intended to provide general guidance to the subject matter and must not be relied on as legal advice.  Specific advice should be sought about your circumstances.