482 Skills In Demand Visa

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Project Introduction

Reviewed by: Australia Visa Link　　Last Updated: September 2026

Since 7 December 2024, the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa has officially been replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. The SID visa continues to use subclass 482 and is divided into three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.

Compared with the former TSS system, the SID visa has reduced the relevant work experience requirement and provides visa holders with greater employment mobility, while continuing to provide eligible applicants with a pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme 186（186签证雇主担保）.

Core Skills Stream
Specialist Skills Stream
Labour Agreement Stream

From 1 July 2026, the income thresholds for the SID subclass 482 visa were adjusted again:

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) increased to A$79,423.

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) increased to A$146,576.

The new thresholds apply to relevant Nomination applications lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.

What Are the Benefits of the Subclass 482 Visa?

No EOI points test required

Visa holders can travel to and from Australia multiple times and may work in Australia for up to 4 years

Eligible spouses and children can be included in the application

No age limit applies to the subclass 482 visa, although age requirements may apply when transitioning to a subclass 186 permanent residence visa

Relatively fast processing. The SID subclass 482 visa is included in Australia's skilled visa processing priority framework, and certain occupations may receive higher processing priority

Relatively low English language requirements, generally IELTS overall 5 with at least 5 in each component or an equivalent English test result

456 occupations are included on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

Visa Application Requirements

Age requirement：

There is no age limit for the subclass 482 visa. However, applicants transitioning to the subclass 186 permanent residence visa will generally need to be under 45 years of age unless an exemption applies.

Latest Subclass 482 Salary Requirements:

Applicants need to apply through the stream that matches their circumstances and ensure that the salary for the nominated position meets the applicable income requirements.

Specialist Skills Stream: The annual salary must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of A$146,576.

Core Skills Stream: The annual salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), currently A$79,423, as well as the applicable Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) requirements.

Labour Agreement Stream: Salary requirements are determined by the terms of the relevant Labour Agreement. Some approved Labour Agreements may contain specific salary concessions or different thresholds, so the salary requirement cannot simply be assessed using the CSIT or former TSMIT threshold.

English requirement：

Generally IELTS overall 5 with a minimum score of 5 in each component.

Applicants may also satisfy the requirement through another English language test accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. Some applicants may qualify for an English language exemption, depending on the requirements that apply at the time of application.

Working Experience requirement：

Applicants generally need to have at least 1 year of work experience in their nominated occupation or a related field within the previous 5 years.

The required experience can be accumulated through full-time, part-time or casual employment. Part-time or casual experience needs to be equivalent to at least 12 months of full-time work, and the relevant employment does not necessarily need to have been completed continuously.

Nominated Occupation Requirement:

Core Skills Stream（核心技能职业通道） applicants must nominate an occupation included on the CSOL.

For occupations where a formal assessment is required, applicants should also confirm the requirements of the relevant Skills Assessment（职业评估） authority before lodging the visa application.

Three SID Streams Under the Subclass 482 Visa

The Skills in Demand Visa 482（澳洲482签证） is divided into three main application streams.

① Core Skills Stream

Who it is for: Applicants nominated by an employer for a position included on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Main requirements include:

The applicant must be nominated by an approved employer and the position must be included on the CSOL.
The salary offered by the employer must meet at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT, currently A$79,423) or the applicable Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), whichever is higher.
The applicant must have the relevant skills and work experience and meet English, health and character requirements.
The visa may be granted for up to 4 years, and eligible holders may later apply for permanent residency.

② Specialist Skills Stream

Who it is for: Applicants with highly specialised skills who can provide strategic value to the Australian economy.

Main requirements include:

The nominated occupation does not need to be included on the CSOL, but it must fall within ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 and satisfy the Specialist Skills Income Threshold and other applicable requirements.
For relevant Nomination applications lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is A$146,576. The nominated salary must also satisfy applicable market salary requirements.
Employer nomination, skills and experience, English, health and character requirements also apply.
The visa may be granted for up to 4 years and provides eligible applicants with a pathway to permanent residency.

③ Labour Agreement Stream

Who it is for: Overseas workers nominated for specific skilled positions by employers that have entered into a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.

Main requirements include:

The employer must have a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government covering the relevant occupation, special workforce needs or regional requirements.
The nominated applicant must satisfy the skills, experience and position requirements specified in the agreement, as well as general visa requirements relating to skills, English, health and character.
The salary must meet at least the relevant Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) or the threshold specified under the Labour Agreement.
Visa duration and conditions may vary depending on the terms of the agreement, and pathways to permanent residency may also differ.

For employers and skilled workers considering opportunities outside major metropolitan areas, the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa（494偏远地区雇主担保签证） may provide another employer-sponsored pathway.

Core Skills, Specialist Skills or Labour Agreement: Which SID Stream Should You Choose?

When choosing a Skills in Demand (SID) visa stream, you should not base your decision solely on which income threshold suits you or on your job title.

Start by working through the following steps:

If your occupation is on the CSOL

If your nominated occupation appears on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), the Core Skills Stream may be an option worth assessing.

However, being on the CSOL does not automatically mean you meet the subclass 482 visa requirements. You also need to confirm:

Whether the actual job duties align with the nominated occupation
Whether the ANZSCO code is correct
Whether you have at least 12 months of relevant work experience
Whether you meet the English language requirements
Whether the salary meets both the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the applicable market salary requirements
Whether the employer and the nominated position meet the nomination requirements

If you are unsure whether your occupation is on the current CSOL, or which ANZSCO code best matches your job title and actual duties, see our guide to the Occupation List and CSOL(澳洲职业清单).

The Department of Home Affairs currently requires occupations nominated under the Core Skills Stream to be on the CSOL. Subclass 482 applicants generally also need at least 12 months of work experience in their nominated occupation or a related field.

If your occupation is not on the CSOL

An occupation’s absence from the CSOL does not necessarily mean you cannot apply for a SID subclass 482 visa.

If the position falls within an eligible occupation in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, and the salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold and all other applicable requirements are satisfied, the Specialist Skills Stream may be an option. Home Affairs currently makes this stream available to eligible occupations within these ANZSCO major groups.

If the position cannot be covered by the standard Core Skills or Specialist Skills Stream, the next step is to determine whether the employer has an applicable Labour Agreement. Labour Agreements can be used for SID subclass 482 visas and may provide different occupation options and conditions for particular industries, regions or businesses.

A more complete approach to assessing whether a position can qualify for a subclass 482 visa is therefore:

Occupation and ANZSCO code → SID stream → Salary → Applicant eligibility → Employer and position → Nomination

Simply checking the occupation list once is not enough.

Application Process

Preliminary assessment of the applicant's circumstances and development of a tailored visa strategy

Sign the service agreement

Employer Becomes an Approved Standard Business Sponsor（雇主成为已批准的担保人）

Employer lodges a Nomination for the position

Lodge the visa application for the nominated employee

Wait for visa processing

Visa granted

Employer Requirements

A subclass 482 application is not assessed solely on the applicant’s circumstances. The employer’s Sponsorship and Nomination are equally important.

Employers generally need to meet the following requirements:

Hold the required sponsorship approval

Become an eligible Standard Business Sponsor (SBS).

Provide a genuine position

The nominated position must genuinely exist and be consistent with the actual business needs of the employer.

Meet occupation and salary requirements

The nominated occupation, salary and employment conditions must satisfy the requirements of the relevant SID Stream.

Complete Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Where applicable, the employer must conduct local recruitment testing in accordance with the relevant requirements.

Pay the SAF Levy

The relevant Nomination will generally involve the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy.

Meet AMSR requirements

When applying for a subclass 482 visa, you need to consider three aspects together: the applicant, the employer and the position.

Even if the applicant meets the occupation, work experience and English language requirements, the application may still face difficulties if the employer does not hold the appropriate sponsorship approval, the position does not align with the business’s actual needs, the salary fails to meet the requirements, or there are issues with Labour Market Testing (LMT) or the nomination documentation.

The Department of Home Affairs currently requires SID subclass 482 applicants to be nominated by an approved sponsor for an eligible skilled position. An approved Standard Business Sponsor can sponsor SID subclass 482 applicants.

If you have already received a job offer from an Australian employer but are unsure whether the company can sponsor you, what documents are required, whether LMT is necessary or how to prepare the nomination, see What Does an Employer Need to Do for a Subclass 482 Visa Application（申请482签证时，雇主需要做什么？）.

Visa Fees

As of September 2026, the Visa Application Charge for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa starts from A$4,015. The actual cost may vary depending on the number of applicants, accompanying family members and individual circumstances.

In addition to the visa application charge, a subclass 482 application may involve the following costs:

Type of Fee	Usually Paid By
Visa Application Charge	Applicant
Sponsorship-related fees	Employer
Nomination-related fees	Employer
SAF Levy	Employer
Health examination costs	Applicant
Police clearance certificates	Applicant
Skills assessment, if applicable	Applicant
Migration Agent professional fees	Depends on the arrangement

Therefore, when preparing a budget for a subclass 482 application, applicants should not only consider the main applicant’s visa application charge.

Australian visa charges may change. Before lodging an application, it is recommended to confirm the latest fees through the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

Visa Processing Time

Subclass 482 visa processing times vary depending on the application stream, nominated occupation, the applicant’s location when the application was lodged, completeness of supporting documents, processing of the employer’s Nomination and the applicant’s individual circumstances.

From 19 September 2026, Skills in Demand subclass 482 applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 121 (MD121). MD121 replaced the temporary skilled visa processing priorities previously operating under Ministerial Direction 119.

Under the current priority framework, temporary skilled visa applications are generally processed in the following order:

Applications relating to Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing and Resources, as well as occupations connected with Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests.
Applications under the SID Specialist Skills Stream.
Applications where the applicant was in Australia when the visa application was lodged.
Certain applications where the primary applicant was outside Australia when the application was lodged and the application is not combined with another person’s application.
Other temporary skilled visa applications.

Receiving a higher processing priority does not guarantee a decision within a fixed period. Actual processing can still depend on application volumes, the employer’s Nomination, whether the application is complete and whether further information or checks are required.

Home Affairs currently reports a 98-day median processing time for the Skilled Temporary visa category for July 2026, but this is a category-wide figure and should not be treated as the processing time for every individual subclass 482 application.

Applicants should continue to check the Department of Home Affairs Visa Processing Time Guide and current SID subclass 482 information before relying on an estimated timeframe.

How Does the SID 482 Visa Differ from the Former TSS 482 Visa?

Although the visa subclass remains 482, Australia replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa with the Skills in Demand (SID) visa on 7 December 2024. When applying for a subclass 482 visa now, you should assess occupations, income thresholds and visa streams under the SID framework, rather than using the former TSS categories such as the Short-term and Medium-term streams.

The SID subclass 482 visa currently has three main streams:

SID Stream	How Occupation Eligibility Is Assessed	Key Income Thresholds in 2026
Core Skills Stream	The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).	CSIT: A$79,423
Specialist Skills Stream	The occupation does not have to be on the CSOL, but must fall within an eligible ANZSCO major group.	SSIT: A$146,576
Labour Agreement Stream	Eligible occupations and conditions are determined by the employer’s applicable Labour Agreement.	As specified in the agreement

The Department of Home Affairs currently describes the SID subclass 482 visa as allowing Australian employers to sponsor suitably skilled overseas workers to fill positions they cannot fill with suitably skilled Australian workers. It lists three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.

If you have previously come across information referring to TSS 482, the Short-term Stream or the Medium-term Stream, be aware that these relate to the former framework. New subclass 482 visa applications should be assessed under the SID rules.

How Can a Subclass 482 Visa Lead to a Subclass 186 Permanent Visa?

The subclass 482 visa is a temporary work visa. Eligible holders may be able to apply for Australian permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream.

Common requirements for transitioning from a subclass 482 visa to a subclass 186 visa include:

Employment period
Applicants will generally need to have completed at least 2 years of qualifying full-time Sponsored Employment in Australia during the 3 years before lodging the subclass 186 TRT application. The relevant employment must have been completed while holding a subclass 457, 482 or eligible Bridging Visa and must satisfy the Subclass 186 TRT Requirements（186 TRT申请要求） for eligible sponsored employment. If the applicant has changed subclass 482 sponsoring employers during the previous 3 years, qualifying Sponsored Employment with a previous employer may not necessarily need to be disregarded entirely. The amount of employment that can be counted should be assessed according to the applicant’s actual Nomination and employment circumstances.
Visa status
At the time of application, the applicant must hold an eligible subclass 457 or 482 visa or a relevant Bridging Visa.
Employer nomination
The subclass 186 TRT application still requires nomination by an eligible Australian employer, and both the employer and nominated position must satisfy the applicable requirements.
Age requirement
Applicants generally need to be under 45 years of age when applying for the subclass 186 visa, although some applicants may qualify for an age exemption.
Other application requirements
Applicants must also satisfy the English, work experience, health, character and other visa requirements that apply when the subclass 186 application is lodged.

The subclass 482 visa can be an important pathway towards a subclass 186 permanent residence visa, but holding a subclass 482 visa does not automatically provide eligibility for permanent residency. Eligibility for the subclass 186 TRT Stream depends on factors including the applicant’s qualifying employment period, employer circumstances, age and the migration requirements applying at the time of application.

482 Visa FAQs

My employer is willing to sponsor me, but my occupation is not on the CSOL. Can I still apply for a 482 visa?

Possibly. It depends on which SID stream you apply under.

For the Core Skills Stream, your nominated occupation must be on the current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and you must meet the relevant occupation, salary and other eligibility requirements.

However, an occupation’s absence from the CSOL does not necessarily mean you cannot apply for a 482 visa. The Specialist Skills Stream does not require your occupation to be on the CSOL, but it must fall within an eligible occupation in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6. You must also meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold and other applicable requirements. Some applicants may also be eligible under the Labour Agreement Stream, depending on their employer’s labour agreement.

To assess whether a position is eligible for a 482 visa, you therefore need to consider more than whether the occupation appears on the CSOL. The occupation code, salary, employer’s circumstances and applicable SID stream all need to be assessed together.

What does an employer need to do for a 482 visa application? Why do so many applications encounter difficulties at the employer stage?

An employer’s role in a 482 visa application involves more than issuing a job offer. It also includes nominating the position, preparing supporting documents and, in some cases, completing Labour Market Testing (LMT) first. Many applications encounter difficulties because the employer’s position description, salary evidence, recruitment records or nomination documents are incomplete, or because the position does not sufficiently match the applicant’s background.

This is particularly important for applicants looking for work in Sydney and Melbourne. Some opportunities may appear to offer sponsorship, but once the application process begins, it may become clear that the employer is unfamiliar with the nomination requirements or that the position and salary do not meet the 482 visa criteria.

If your circumstances are complex, or you are unsure whether your employer meets the requirements, you can contact OzVisaLink for an initial assessment. We can review your position, salary and employer’s circumstances to help you determine whether this pathway is viable.

What happens if I resign, am made redundant or want to change employers after obtaining a 482 visa?

Resigning, being made redundant or wanting to change employers after obtaining a 482 visa does not mean your visa immediately becomes invalid. Under the Department of Home Affairs’ current guidance, you generally have 180 days from the date you stop working for your original sponsoring employer to find a new sponsor, apply for another visa or arrange to leave Australia. However, these periods must not exceed 365 days in total over the validity of your visa.

If you find a new employer who meets the requirements, you may be able to continue on this pathway. If your employment and employer’s circumstances are relatively stable, you can also explore the subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa in advance to prepare for a future permanent residency application.

For applicants currently in Sydney or Melbourne who have left a job or are changing jobs, acting early generally gives you more options. You can contact OzVisaLink for an assessment of your circumstances.

Can I take another job after losing my sponsored employment on a 482 visa?

Yes, but time limits apply. If your employment with your original sponsoring employer ends, you currently have up to 180 consecutive days to find a new sponsor, apply for another visa or arrange to leave Australia. Across the validity of your 482 visa, these periods away from sponsored employment must not exceed 365 days in total.

During this transition period, you can work for other employers, including in occupations different from your original nominated occupation, to support yourself. However, if you wish to continue working for a new employer on a long-term basis under the 482 visa, the new employer must still complete the required sponsorship and nomination processes. Your subsequent work arrangements must also comply with visa Condition 8607.

If you are approaching 180 days since your sponsored employment ended, or have held several jobs during this period, you should confirm how much time you have remaining and plan your next visa steps as early as possible to avoid affecting your current visa status.