Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): Complete Guide 2026
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482) is Australia's primary temporary employer-sponsored work visa, replacing the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa framework. It allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they can't find qualified Australians. The visa has three streams — Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement — with the key income threshold set at $73,150 AUD (TSMIT). Most streams now offer a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 482 |
| Cost | $1,455 (Core Skills), $2,645 (Specialist Skills) |
| TSMIT (minimum salary) | $73,150 AUD per year |
| Visa duration | Up to 4 years |
| Work rights | Full-time for sponsoring employer |
| PR pathway | Yes (most streams, via Subclass 186) |
| Age limit | No (but 186 pathway requires under 45) |
| Family | Can include partner and children |
| Apply from | Inside or outside Australia |
The Three Streams
The Skills in Demand visa operates through three streams, each targeting different skill and salary levels.
Core Skills Stream
For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List earning $73,150–$135,000 per year.
This is the standard stream for most employer-sponsored workers. Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (which replaced the old STSOL and MLTSSL) and your salary must be at least the TSMIT of $73,150.
- Visa duration: Up to 4 years
- PR pathway: Yes, through Subclass 186 TRT stream after 2 years
- Skills assessment: Required for most occupations
- English requirement: Competent English (IELTS 5.0 each band, 5.0 overall, or equivalent)
Specialist Skills Stream
For high-earning workers earning $135,000 or more per year.
If your salary meets or exceeds $135,000, you don't need your occupation to be on any list. This stream is occupation-agnostic — the high salary itself demonstrates skill demand.
- Visa duration: Up to 4 years
- PR pathway: Yes, through Subclass 186 after 2 years
- Skills assessment: Not required
- English requirement: Competent English
- Occupation list: Not applicable (salary threshold replaces it)
Labour Agreement Stream
For employers with a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian government.
Labour Agreements are negotiated between specific industries/employers and the government. They allow sponsorship of occupations or under conditions not available through the standard streams.
- Visa duration: As specified in the agreement
- PR pathway: Depends on the specific agreement
- Skills assessment: As specified in the agreement
- English requirement: As specified in the agreement
Most applicants will use either the Core Skills or Specialist Skills stream. Labour Agreements are relatively uncommon and industry-specific.
The TSMIT: $73,150 Minimum Salary
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is the minimum annual salary an employer must pay a sponsored worker. As of 2024, the TSMIT is $73,150 AUD — a significant increase from the previous $53,900 threshold that had been frozen for a decade.
This figure is indexed and expected to increase annually. It includes base salary only — not superannuation, bonuses, overtime, or non-monetary benefits.
What this means in practice: If a role pays less than $73,150, it cannot be filled through the 482 visa. This effectively restricts employer sponsorship to mid-to-senior level positions and skilled trades with above-average wages.
The employer must also pay the sponsored worker at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) — what an equivalent Australian worker would earn in the same role. If the AMSR exceeds the TSMIT, the higher amount applies.
Employer Obligations
The employer (sponsor) has significant obligations under the 482 visa program. Understanding these is important for both employers and visa holders.
Becoming an approved sponsor: The employer must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). This involves an application demonstrating the business is lawfully operating, has no adverse immigration history, and has a genuine need for overseas workers.
Labour market testing (Core Skills stream): Before nominating a 482 worker, the employer must demonstrate they've advertised the position to Australians and couldn't find a suitable local candidate. Advertising must be in specified platforms for at least 4 weeks within the 4 months before nomination.
Ongoing obligations:
- Pay the market salary rate for the life of the visa
- Ensure working conditions match Australian standards
- Keep records of all sponsored workers
- Notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to the worker's employment
- Pay travel costs for the worker to leave Australia if they become unlawful
- Not recover sponsorship costs from the worker
Training requirement: Sponsors must contribute to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF). The levy is $1,200 per year for businesses with turnover under $10 million, or $1,800 per year for larger businesses. This is paid by the employer, not the worker.
How to Apply (Worker's Perspective)
The 482 visa involves three separate applications, lodged in sequence.
Step 1: Employer becomes an approved sponsor (if not already).
- The employer applies for Standard Business Sponsorship
- Processing: 1–5 months
- Cost: $420
Step 2: Employer nominates you for the position.
- The employer lodges a nomination application for the specific role
- Must demonstrate labour market testing (Core Skills)
- Processing: 1–4 months
- Cost: $330
Step 3: You apply for the 482 visa.
- Complete your visa application through ImmiAccount
- Provide skills assessment, English test, qualifications, work experience
- Health examinations and police clearances
- Processing: 1–5 months
- Cost: $1,455 (Core Skills) or $2,645 (Specialist Skills)
Total timeline from start to visa grant: approximately 3–12 months.
Documents You'll Need
- Valid passport
- Skills assessment (for Core Skills stream)
- English language test results
- Qualification certificates and academic transcripts
- CV/resume with detailed employment history
- Employment references (on company letterhead)
- Police clearances from every country you've lived in for 12+ months
- Health examination results
- Passport-sized photograph
Skills Assessments
For the Core Skills stream, you'll typically need a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. Each occupation has a designated body:
| Occupation Group | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|
| Engineers | Engineers Australia |
| IT professionals | ACS (Australian Computer Society) |
| Accountants | CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA |
| Nurses | ANMAC |
| Teachers | AITSL |
| Trades | TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) |
| Medical practitioners | AMC or relevant specialist college |
Skills assessments take 2–6 months and cost $300–$1,500 depending on the assessing authority. Start yours early — it's often the longest part of the process.
The Specialist Skills stream ($135,000+) does not require a skills assessment, which significantly simplifies the application.
Changing Employers on a 482
What happens if you want to change jobs while on a 482 visa? You can, but there's a process.
Your new employer must:
- Be an approved sponsor (or become one)
- Nominate you for a position in their business
- The nomination must be approved before you start working for them
You can generally start working for the new employer once the nomination is lodged (not just approved), as long as your current 482 visa is still valid. However, the safest approach is to wait for the nomination approval.
If your new employer's nomination is refused or you leave your sponsor before a new nomination is in place, you have 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave Australia. This "60-day grace period" protects workers from being stranded if employment ends unexpectedly.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The biggest attraction of the 482 visa is its pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme).
After working for your sponsoring employer for at least 2 years on a 482 visa, you can apply for the 186 through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. Your employer must nominate you again, and you must be under 45 at the time of application.
For the full breakdown, see our 482 to 186 pathway guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work for any employer on a 482 visa?
No. You can only work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation. Working for a different employer or in a different role without proper approval is a visa breach. However, you can transfer to a new sponsor — see the "Changing Employers" section above.
What happens if I lose my job?
You have 60 days to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or leave Australia. During this 60-day period, you can work for a new employer if they've lodged a nomination for you. If you can't find a new sponsor within 60 days, your visa may be cancelled.
Can my partner work on a 482 visa?
Yes. Your partner receives full, unrestricted work rights — they can work for any employer in any occupation with no hour limits. This is a significant benefit compared to some other temporary visas.
Is the 482 the same as the old TSS visa?
The 482 subclass number is the same, but the visa framework has been substantially reformed. The old Short-Term stream has been replaced by the Core Skills stream, the Medium-Term stream by the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, and the occupation lists have been consolidated. If you're reading older guides about the "TSS 482," be aware that many details have changed.
What's the minimum English requirement?
Competent English: IELTS 5.0 in each band with an overall score of 5.0 (or PTE 36, TOEFL iBT 35, or Cambridge 154). This is a relatively modest requirement. Some occupations (particularly healthcare) may have higher English requirements set by their skills assessing authority.
