New Work Visa Options: 482, 494 and
186 Visas
A new Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement (‘the Labour Agreement’) was announced in late 2019. From 1 January 2020 employers in the industry can sponsor migrants under a Work Visa in new occupations. The Labour Agreement will also make it easier for employers to meet sponsorship requirements to lodge these applications.
Employers can use the Labour Agreement to sponsor overseas workers using the following programs:
After working for an employer for a few years, 482 Visa holders will be able to access Permanent Residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa. If the occupation is a skill level one to three occupation, they can access the 186 Visa after three years. If the occupation is a skill level four to five occupation, they can access Permanent Residency after four years.
After working for an employer for three years, 494 Visa holders can apply for Permanent Residency through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (Subclass 191) Visa. This means new Permanent Residency options have been created under these Work Visas.
Labour Agreement Concessions
Employers looking to use the Labour Agreement can access new concessions including:
- 10% lower minimum income threshold for nominated employees – where it can be proved this is industry standard ($48,510 instead of $53,900).
- More flexible approach to demonstrating an employee’s guaranteed earnings, such as inclusion of regularised overtime and accommodation benefits.
- Lower English language score requirements compared to standard Work Visa criterion.
- Age concessions allowing applicants to apply for Permanent Residency from up to 50 years of age, rather than only 45 years of age.
Occupations and Concessions Table
The below table shows the new occupations that are available under the Labour Agreement. The table also includes the following details:
- Approved occupation – the new occupations that employers can use to nominate migrants under a Work Visa.
- ANZSCO code – the code used to find a definition of the occupation in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. (This is the database the Government uses when they need to define a job).
- ANZSCO skill level – this is the skill level required for a job. For example, a skill level 1 role usually requires a bachelor’s degree.
- Indicates whether skills assessments are required and what concessions are available for each occupation.
The table is taken from the Department of Home Affairs website.
Approved occupation | ANZSCO Code or nearest equivalent | ANZSCO Skill Level | Positive Skills Assessment | TSMIT Concession | English Concession | Permanent Pathway |
Irrigation Designer/ Manager | 234111* | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Agronomist | 234112 | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Entomologist | 234518* | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Horticulture Grower | 070499* | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Protected Cropping Grower | 070499* | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Horticulture Research & | 132511* | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mechanical Engineer | 233512 | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Horticulture Farm Manager | 070499* | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Quality Assurance Manager | 139914 | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Biosecurity Officer | 311399* | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Facility Plant Manager | 149913* | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Facility Supervisor | 070499* | 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Maintenance Electrician | 341111* | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fitter and Welder | 323213 | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Agriculture Technician | 321212* | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mechanic | 321211* | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Senior Nurseryperson | 362411 | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Nurseryperson | 362411 | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Nursery Supervisor | 362411 | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Truck Driver | 733111 | 4 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Plant Operator | 721111 | 4 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fork Lift Driver | 721311 | 4 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Irrigationist | 841999 | 5 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Irrigationist Assistant | 841999 | 5 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Horticulture Section | 070499* | 5 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Section Supervisor | 070499* | 4 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Production Horticulture | 070499* | 4 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Production Horticulturist | 070499* | 3 | Yes^ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Machinery Manager | 149913 or 149999* | 4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Machinery Supervisor | 149999* | 4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Cold Storage Manager | 149999* | 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note: Several requirements will still need to be met as usual – such as Labour Market Testing.
* Where an occupation in the table above does not exist in ANZSCO, the closest equivalent occupation available under ANZSCO has been utilised. Where no close equivalent exists, code 070499 is used with the relevant skills/qualifications specified under the terms of each Labour Agreement.
^ Skill and qualification requirements will differ from those stipulated in ANZSCO and will be specified under the terms of each Labour Agreement.
How We Can Help
Whether are an employer or a visa applicant, we can help in several ways including:
- An initial consultation that explains the process of accessing the labour agreement.
- An assessment of whether you can access the labour agreement occupations and concessions.
- Full assistance when applying for the labour agreement, nomination application or visa application (including assistances in filling all forms and providing compelling evidence).
If you would more information, please book a consultation using the link below or fill out a contact form at the end of the page.