Skills in Demand Visa | Subclass 482
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 is Australia’s primary temporary work visa. It allows skilled professionals to be sponsored by an Australian employer to fill critical labour gaps while providing a clear pathway to permanent residency.
The subclass 482 visa is designed to help Australian businesses address genuine skill shortages by recruiting talent from overseas or qualified migrants from onshore within Australia. In 2026, the program features a simplified three-tiered system that rewards high-skilled professionals with faster processing and enhanced mobility, allowing you to live and work in Australia for up to four years.
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Temporary Skilled (Skills in Demand) |
| Stay | Up to 4 Years |
| Cost | From $3,210 AUD1 |
| Processing Time | Core Skills stream 69 days – 8 months; Specialist Skills stream 7 days – 51 days; Labour Agreement stream 3 months – 8 months2 |
| Key Requirement | Approved Employer Sponsorship |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 482 visa in 2026, you must meet the updated criteria under the Skills in Demand framework, which prioritises income and verified skill levels.
1. Tiered Stream Selection
The 482 visa is now categorized into three distinct streams based on your occupation and salary:
- Specialist Skills Stream: For those earning over $146,717 AUD (excluding trades, machinery operators, and laborers). This stream offers the fastest processing times. The specialist skills occupations are not derived from an occupation list, instead, they are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) groups with Group 2 being excluded. Contact us for futher detailed assessments. You can view the ANZSCO groups here.
- Core Skills Stream: The most common pathway for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The CSOL is currently Legislative Instrument LIN 24/089 – click here for the list.
- Labour Agreement Stream: Designed for specialised industries or individual businesses with unique migration requirements that standard visa programs cannot meet. These formal arrangements with the Australian Government allow for tailored terms, such as concessions on age, English proficiency, or salary thresholds. Key types include Industry Specific (e.g., Aged Care, Dairy, Meat processing, and Horticulture), Company Specific, and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) for regional flexibility. A single “one-size-fits-all” list does not exist for this stream. Please contact us for an assessment of your specific circumstances.
2. The 2026 Income Threshold (CSIT)
Your proposed salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). As of July 2026, the CSIT is $79,423 AUD (excluding superannuation). Note that this is indexed annually and is scheduled to increase on July 1, 2027.
3. Work Experience Requirements
A major reform for 2026 is the reduction of required work experience. You must now demonstrate at least 12 months of full-time equivalent work experience in your nominated occupation (or a closely related field) within the last five years.
4. English, Health, and Character
You must demonstrate “Competent” English (IELTS 5.0 minimum in each band or equivalent) for the Core Skills stream. Higher standards may apply for the Specialist stream. All applicants must meet Australia’s health and character standards.
How to Apply for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
A Step-by-Step Guide
Please note: The 482 visa follows a strict three-stage legal process. In 2026, the Department utilises an automated integrity system that requires applications to be “decision-ready” upon lodgement.
Step 1: Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)
The employer must apply to be a Standard Business Sponsor. This approval lasts for five years and allows the business to nominate multiple overseas workers.
Step 2: Nomination of the Position
The employer must nominate a specific position to be filled by the visa applicant. This stage involves the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) assessment and Labour Market Testing (LMT) to prove no local worker is available.
Step 3: Visa Application Lodgement
Once the nomination is lodged, the applicant submits their visa application. This includes providing evidence of identity, qualifications, work experience, and English proficiency.
Step 4: Health and Character Checks
Applicants must undergo medical examinations and provide police clearances from all countries resided in for more than 12 months over the last 10 years.
Being on a Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa means…
What You Can Do on the Subclass 482 Visa
As a temporary resident, you and your family have the right to:
- Live and work in Australia for your sponsoring employer for up to 4 years.
- Include eligible family members (partner and children) with full work and study rights.
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you like while the visa is valid.
- Study part-time alongside your employment to further your skills.
Your Visa Obligations
Unlike permanent visas, your stay is tied to your employment. You must work only in your nominated occupation for your sponsoring employer. However, 2026 regulations provide enhanced mobility: if you cease employment with your sponsor, you have 180 consecutive days (and a maximum of 365 days across the entire visa period) to find a new sponsor, be granted a different visa, or depart Australia.
The Pathway to Permanent Residency
After working full-time for your sponsoring employer for 2 years on a 482 visa, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Transition stream or alternatively, depending upon your specific circumstances, you may pursue permanent residency through the Labour Agreement stream of the subclass 186 visa. This pathway is currently the Gold Standard for securing a permanent future in Australia.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The 482 visa is high-stakes for both employers and employees. A single error in the nomination such as an incorrect salary calculation or a mistake in the timing of the Labour Market Testing (LMT) can lead to immediate refusal.
Our Subclass 482 Services include:
Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment to ensure you meet the new 2026 Core Skills, Specialist or Labour Agreement thresholds.
Market Salary (AMSR) Auditing and Labour Market Testing management to survive Departmental scrutiny.
Decision-Ready Application lodgement by Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) with a spcialised focus on employer sponsored visa applications.
Employer Compliance Support to manage nomination obligations and SAF levy requirements.
PR Pathway Mapping to ensure your 482 experience sets you up for a seamless 186 residency grant after 2 years (or 3 years – depending upon your specific circumstances – we’ll guide you through to the quickest pathway to permanent residency).
And much, much more.
Don’t risk your permanent residency. Talk to an expert today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
Q: Can I include my partner and children on my 482 visa?
A: Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in your application. They will receive full work and study rights in Australia.
Q: What is the difference between the Specialist and Core streams?
A: The Specialist stream is for high-earners ($141,210+) and offers processing times as quick as 7 days to 51 days. The Core stream is for the majority of skilled occupations earning between $76,515 and $141,210.
Q: Do I need a skills assessment for the 482 visa?
A: A skills assessment is only mandatory for certain trade occupations or if requested by the Department. However, a decision-ready file often includes one to avoid processing delays.
Q: What happens if I am fired or quit?
A: Under the 2026 rules, you have 180 days to find a new sponsoring employer, apply for a different visa, or depart Australia. You are allowed to work for other employers during this 180-day transition period.
Q: What happens if my visa is refused?
A: If your visa is refused, you may have rights to appeal the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Our firm is highly experienced in representing clients at the ART for partner visa matters. Our firm specialises in ART appeals – click here for further details.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 02 May 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
