Skills in Demand Visa (482)

Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Australia’s main employer-sponsored work visa — sponsor overseas talent, or build your future in Australia.

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482) is Australia’s primary employer-sponsored work visa. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 and now operates through three streams — Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement — with the stream determined largely by the salary and occupation of the role. Whether you are an Australian business seeking to sponsor overseas workers, or a skilled professional aiming to live and work in Australia, this is the pathway that makes it happen.

Timing note: the income thresholds re-index on 1 July 2026. Nominations lodged before that date are assessed against the current (lower) thresholds, so timing can matter for your budget.

The three Skills in Demand visa streams

Core Skills stream

• The nominated position must pay at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) — currently AUD $76,515, rising to AUD $79,499 from 1 July 2026 — or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), whichever is higher.
• The occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which contains 456 occupations.
• This is the most common stream, covering the majority of skilled, professional and trade roles.

Specialist Skills stream

• Designed to attract highly paid specialists earning at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) — currently AUD $141,210, rising to AUD $146,717 from 1 July 2026.
• Fast-tracked processing, with a median target of just 10- 57 days set by the Department of Home Affairs, reviewed and updated frequently.
• No occupation list required — open to global talent across most sectors, provided the role sits in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6. Trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers (Major Groups 3, 7 and 8) are excluded.
• Example roles include cyber security specialists, engineering and corporate managers, software engineers, and sales and marketing managers.

Labour Agreement stream

• For employers who have negotiated a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.
• Suitable for occupations not on the standard 482 streams, or for industries with unique workforce shortages (for example aged care, agriculture, hospitality and construction).
• May include concessions to age, skills, salary or English requirements.
• Can provide a pathway to permanent residence depending on the terms of the agreement, and is subject to ongoing compliance and monitoring.

The three streams at a glance

Eligibility and application process

Employer requirements

• Hold approval as a Standard Business Sponsor or Accredited Sponsor.
• Nominate a role listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• Offer the CSIT or SSIT, or the market salary rate (AMSR), whichever is higher, and comply with Australian employment standards.
• Complete Labour Market Testing (LMT) unless an exemption applies.
• Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — $1,200 per year for small businesses and $1,800 per year for larger businesses, per year of the nomination.
• Demonstrate the position is genuine and meets any industry caveats (for example, in hospitality, not operating as a limited-services restaurant or engaging in mass production of goods).

Visa applicant requirements

• At least 1 year (12 months) of relevant full-time (or equivalent part-time or casual) work experience in the last 5 years. For some occupations and circumstances, extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of formal qualifications.
• Relevant skills, qualifications and — where required — a positive skills assessment.
• Meet English language (generally IELTS 5.0 overall, or equivalent), health and character
• Hold adequate health insurance for the duration of the visa.

The three application stages

1. Sponsorship application — the employer applies for approval to sponsor overseas workers.
2. Nomination application — the employer nominates the specific position.
3. Visa application — the skilled worker lodges their visa application.

All three stages must be consistent and accurate — inconsistencies are a leading cause of processing delays and refusals.

A clear pathway to permanent residency

The Skills in Demand visa is more than a temporary work visa — it is a stepping stone to permanent residence. Eligible holders can transition to the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Temporary Residence Transition stream) after just two years of sponsored employment (reduced from three). For employers, that PR pathway is one of the strongest tools available to attract and retain skilled overseas talent.

How Tolic Lawyers can help

Whether you are a business seeking to sponsor overseas talent or a professional aiming to live and work in Australia, Tolic Lawyers guides you through the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa from start to finish — stream selection, sponsorship and nomination strategy, salary and compliance, and the pathway to permanent residency. We help you build your pathway to Australia clearly, confidently and legally.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa?

It is Australia’s main employer-sponsored temporary work visa, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. It allows approved employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers for up to four years across three streams — Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.

What salary do I need to be sponsored on a 482 visa?

For the Core Skills stream, the role must pay at least the Core Skills Income Threshold — currently $76,515, rising to $79,499 from 1 July 2026 — or the market rate, whichever is higher. The Specialist Skills stream requires at least $141,210, rising to $146,717 from 1 July 2026.

Does the Specialist Skills stream cover trades?

No. The Specialist Skills stream is limited to ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 and excludes trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers. Trade occupations are sponsored through the Core Skills stream.

How much work experience do I need?

At least one year (12 months) of relevant work experience in the last five years — reduced from the previous two-year requirement.

Can the 482 visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. Most holders can transition to the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme via the Temporary Residence Transition stream after two years of sponsored employment.

Who pays the sponsorship costs?

The sponsoring employer is responsible for the sponsorship and nomination fees and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. These cannot lawfully be passed on to the sponsored worker.

Tolic Lawyers — Immigration & Employment Law

Suite 19/103 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

P: (02) 8077 2562   ·   E:    ·   toliclawyers.com.au

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is current as at June 2026. It is not legal or migration advice. Income thresholds, occupation lists and sponsorship requirements change regularly — thresholds re-index on 1 July 2026 — and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please obtain advice tailored to your situation from a qualified legal practitioner before acting. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.