Under this subclass, an employer can sponsor a suitably skilled worker in a role which cannot be filled in by an Australian citizen. There are mainly four streams under this subclass:

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• Short-term stream: An applicant can stay for up to two years (up to four years if the International Trade obligation applies) in Australia. The occupation must be on the short-term skilled occupation list.

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• Medium-term stream: An applicant can stay for up to four years in Australia. The occupation must be on either the Medium and Long-Term Strategic List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL)

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• Labour agreement stream: The visa is particularly for skilled workers nominated by an employer who has a Labour Agreement. This visa allows the application to live in Australia for up to four years.

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• Subsequent entrant: This visa is for family members of applicant who hold subclass 457 and TSS visas who are separately applying for their visa.