Author Name: Alex James
Employer-sponsored visa schemes such as the TSS and ENS allow firms to import skilled employees into Australia for specific occupations. Both visas are similar because they will enable the visa holder to live in Australia, work full-time, and bring their family with them.
However, there are several key differences between the two, the most important of which is that the ENS offers permanent residency, whilst the TSS visa application is only valid for a certain time.
TSS visa holders have limited employment options.
The primary visa holder can usually only work for their chosen sponsor and in the occupation code for which they were nominated. If a TSS visa holder changes jobs, the new employer must file a new nomination application (visa – if a different occupation code is used) to take over the sponsorship.
As a result, transitioning from one employer to the other may be difficult in practice. In addition, it is undoubtedly less appealing to potential employers, especially those without a sponsorship.
TSS visa holders with dependent children have unrestricted employment privileges in Australia and are therefore not limited in who they can work for.
While in Australia, you must have health insurance.
Unless they are nationals of a country with which Australia has reciprocal health care, short-term visa holders, including the TSS visa holders, will not have entitlement to Medicare (RHCA).
TSS visa holders and their families are required to obtain adequate health insurance, which can be costly over time.
Stay duration
For short-term employment, the TSS visa holder may stay for up to two years, and medium- and long-term jobs, up to four years. A second TSS visa application for a short-term occupation may be submitted in Australia, but subsequent TSS visa applications for a short-term occupation must be filed abroad. Additionally, demonstrating that they are a “genuine temporary entrant” will be more challenging due to application programmes on the short-term occupation list.
You may have to pay school fees (varies across States and territories)
Varying from state to state or territory where they register, TSS visa holders who want to enrol their children in public school may have to pay school fees. For instance, based on the school year, TSS visa holders in NSW are required to pay fees per child that range from $5,500 to $6,500.
Children of permanent residents are exempt from paying school fees.
Advantages of a TSS visa over to ENS visa
Accessing superannuation
When a visa applicant departs Australia, the TSS visa provides easy access to superannuation money. In addition, they can apply for a superannuation payment after their temporary visa expires because they are a quick visa holder (or when they requested the temporary visa cancellation).
Once certain prerequisites have been met, the ATO website can do the process quickly.
There are no age restrictions.
Unlike the ENS, this visa has no age restrictions. TSS visa applications are thus appropriate for those over 45 who wish to work in Australia. For high-income earners, a permanent residency with an ENS visa may be an option.
Not bound by a profession or an employer
The visa holder will state they will take up the position for two years while applying for an ENS visa. However, if there was a real desire to stay in the place for two years, this is an intention up until the visa is approved. A person having an ENS visa is not confined to working for their chosen employer or the indicated occupation if their circumstances change after obtaining permanent residency.