Hiring Allied Health Professionals on Subclass 482: A Comprehensive Guide for NDIS Providers

[object Object] If you’re an NDIS provider looking to hire skilled, qualified allied health professionals in Australia, understanding how to utilise the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa can open new opportunities for you and your participants. This guide explains everything you need to know about hiring overseas allied health staff using the 482 visa—why it matters, how the process works, key benefits, challenges, and the specifics relevant to the NDIS and disability support sector.

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What is the Subclass 482 Visa—and Why Is It Important for NDIS Providers?

The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa is an Australian work visa that allows employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill labor shortages when qualified Australians cannot be sourced. The 482 visa is a vital migration pathway for the health and disability support sector, particularly for roles where local recruitment is challenging, such as: [object Object]

• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
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• Speech Pathologists
• Psychologists
• Dietitians
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• Social Workers
• Podiatrists
• (And many allied health specialisations) [object Object]

NDIS providers often face significant barriers in recruiting locally due to workforce shortages, especially in rural and remote regions. The 482 visa is essential for organisations seeking to maintain high-quality, continuous care and support coordination for NDIS participants.

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How to Hire Allied Health Professionals on Subclass 482

[object Object] Hiring an allied health worker through the 482 visa involves several steps and compliance measures. Here’s a step-by-step outline:

Step 1: Labour Market Testing

[object Object] Before sponsoring a 482 visa applicant, NDIS providers must demonstrate genuine efforts to hire Australians (citizens or permanent residents):

• Advertise the position in Australia for at least four weeks [object Object]
• Use at least two prominent platforms (Seek, Indeed, company website, etc.)
• Document response, interviews, and reasons candidates were not suitable

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Step 2: Nomination Application (Employer)

The NDIS provider must:

• Become an Approved Business Sponsor via the Department of Home Affairs (a one-off process valid for 5 years) [object Object]
• Nominate the specific occupation (using the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)), e.g., "Physiotherapist"
• Demonstrate the role is genuine, meets salary requirements (at least the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold or TSMIT, currently $70,000 as of July 2023), and is aligned with Fair Work Australia standards

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Step 3: Visa Application (Candidate)

• The selected allied health professional applies for the 482 visa
• They need relevant tertiary qualifications, professional registration (e.g., AHPRA for many health professions), and meet health and character tests [object Object]
• English proficiency is required (IELTS or equivalent)

Step 4: Approval & On-Boarding

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• Once granted, the visa allows the professional to work for the employer (sponsor) for 2-4 years (stream-dependent)
• Employers must meet sponsorship obligations (ongoing compliance, workplace laws)

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Step 5: Potential for Permanent Residency

• Some allied health professionals may transition to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 or 187 visas after two to three years

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How it Works in the Context of Australian Migration & NDIS

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• The 482 is the most common pathway for employers in healthcare, disability, and community support sectors
• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requires that all workers meet national standards; employers must ensure overseas workers comply with local professional standards and codes of conduct
• Allied health roles under the NDIS Practice Standards are “regulated roles”, making appropriate training, registration, and background checks mandatory [object Object]

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Key Benefits and Features

For NDIS Providers:

• Access to a wider talent pool of allied health specialists [object Object]
• Ability to fill skill shortages quickly, especially in under-served areas
• Improve service delivery and continuity of care for participants

[object Object] For Participants and Families:

• Broader service availability, reduced wait times, and access to a diversity of cultural/linguistic backgrounds in staff
• Enhanced capacity for support coordination with highly qualified clinicians [object Object]

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Common Professions Recruited on 482 in the NDIS Context

Below are professions frequently sponsored by NDIS and disability support organisations:

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• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language Pathologists
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• Clinical and Registered Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Podiatrists
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• Registered Nurses (incl. Disability and Mental Health sub-specialisations)
• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Exercise Physiologists
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• Audiologists

Case Example: A mid-sized therapy provider in regional NSW recruited an Indian-trained physiotherapist under the 482 scheme to address a 12-month skills gap, improving participant access from a wait time of 18 weeks to just 3 weeks. [object Object]

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Associated Costs

For Employers:

• Sponsorship application: approx. $420 AUD (one-off) [object Object]
• Nomination fee: approx. $330 AUD
• Visa application (covered by candidate or employer): from $2,700–$3,000 AUD depending on stream
• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: $1,200 per year (for small business)/$1,800 per year (for larger businesses) [object Object]
• Relocation costs: negotiable

For Candidates: [object Object]

• Visa application fees
• Health checks, insurance, English test fees
• Australian professional registration fees (AHPRA or relevant) [object Object]

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Common Challenges and Solutions

1. Lengthy Processing Times and Paperwork
Solution: Engage a migration agent/lawyer [object Object]