Migration Overseas
Since 1998
The primary employer-sponsored work visa for skilled workers. The Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 and kept subclass 482. Work in Australia for up to 4 years (up to 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders), with a pathway to permanent residence through Subclass 186, usually after 2 years of sponsored work.
The 482 visa has different streams based on your occupation and salary level.
For higher-paid roles in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 (managers, professionals, community and personal service, clerical and administrative, and sales). Pay must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold. Trades, machinery operators, drivers and labourers are excluded.
For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Pay must be at least the Annual Market Salary Rate and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold, AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026.
For employers who have a labour agreement with the Australian Government. Often for industry-specific or regional needs.
Key eligibility criteria for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa.
Examples of occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List.
Since 7 December 2024 the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has replaced the MLTSSL and STSOL for the 482 Core Skills stream and for the 186 Direct Entry stream only. The 189, 190 and 491 visas still use the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL. The Specialist Skills stream does not use the CSOL.
Step-by-step guide to obtaining your 482 Skills in Demand visa.
Secure a job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor you. They must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor or apply to become one.
VariesGet your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. This confirms your qualifications match Australian standards.
4-12 WeeksYour employer lodges a nomination application for the position. They must demonstrate genuine need, pay market salary rates, and pay the SAF levy.
VariesOnce nomination is approved, lodge your visa application with supporting documents including skills assessment, English test, health insurance, and police clearance.
1-2 Weeks to SubmitComplete medical examination at a panel clinic and provide police clearance certificates from all countries where you lived for 12+ months in the last 10 years.
2-4 WeeksHome Affairs processes temporary skilled applications in priority order under Ministerial Direction 121, in force since 19 September 2026: priority sectors first, then the Specialist Skills stream, then applicants who were in Australia when they lodged, then applicants outside Australia, then all others. Once granted, you can travel to Australia and start work.
Varies by priority groupUnderstand the fees involved in your 482 visa application.
Visa application charge from 1 July 2026, the same for the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams
From 1 July 2026: AUD 4,015 for each family member aged 18 or over, AUD 1,005 for each child under 18
Skills assessment, English test, medicals, police checks, health insurance. Amounts depend on the provider. The employer also pays the nomination charge and the SAF levy
482 visa holders can transition to permanent residency via Subclass 186.
Temporary Residence Transition stream for 482 visa holders to obtain permanent residency
Usually at least 2 years of full-time work in eligible sponsored employment on a 457 or 482 visa
Your employer lodges a 186 nomination, approved in the 6 months before you apply. You need at least Competent English and, usually, to be under 45
Receive PR visa - live and work anywhere in Australia permanently
Find answers to the most common questions about this visa category.
Subclass 482 is now the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, Australia's employer-sponsored temporary work visa. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. It allows Australian employers to bring skilled workers when they cannot find qualified Australians.
Three streams exist for new applications: Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement. Each allows a stay of up to 4 years (up to 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders). The Short-term and Medium-term streams of the old TSS visa no longer exist for new applicants. Core Skills covers occupations on the CSOL. Specialist Skills covers ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 with pay at or above the SSIT of AUD 146,576.
Yes, your employer must be an approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsor) and nominate a position in an eligible occupation before you can apply for the visa.
A skills assessment is needed only if it is required for your occupation. You also need at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field. Check your occupation with the relevant assessing authority.
Yes. Holders of any 482 stream can apply for Subclass 186 permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition stream. You usually need at least 2 years of full-time work in eligible sponsored employment on the 482 or 457, an employer nomination approved in the 6 months before you apply, Competent English, and to be under 45 unless an age exemption applies.
For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025 you need IELTS 5.0 in each of the four components, PTE Academic L33 R36 W29 S24, TOEFL iBT L8 R8 W9 S14, or CELPIP 5 in each component. MET, OET and LANGUAGECERT Academic are also accepted. For TOEFL iBT taken on or after 21 January 2026, select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' at registration. Passport holders of Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the US are exempt, and other exemptions apply. Online tests are not accepted.
Yes, but your new employer must become an approved sponsor and nominate you. If you are laid off, you have up to 180 days to find a new employer or make arrangements to leave Australia.
Yes, spouse/de facto partner and dependent children can be included. Secondary applicants can work and study in Australia.
Your employer must pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate for the position, and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) of AUD 79,423 for the Core Skills stream or the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) of AUD 146,576 for the Specialist Skills stream. These apply to nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 (AUD 76,515 and AUD 141,210 in 2025-26). The TSMIT, also AUD 79,423 for 2026-27, now applies only to the 494 and 187 visas.
Home Affairs publishes a processing time guide based on recently decided applications, and it is a guide only. Since 19 September 2026 applications have been processed in priority order under Ministerial Direction 121: applications relating to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, or to law enforcement and defence interests, come first; then the Specialist Skills stream; then applicants who were in Australia when they lodged; then applicants who were outside Australia; then all others. Your employer sponsorship and nomination also take time before you can lodge.
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