Australia•Oceania482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
At a Glance
Varies
AUD $9,035
4 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Living in Australia
Overview
Sponsored by an approved employer for an occupation on the skilled occupation list. Short-term or medium-term stream.
The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) is Australia's primary employer-sponsored work visa, succeeding the TSS in December 2024. Employers nominate skilled foreign workers for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, or ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 above the Specialist Skills salary threshold.
Fees start from AUD 4,015. Stays are up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong/BNO holders), renewable, with a PR pathway via Subclass 186. Dependents may join with full work rights; employers must pass Labour Market Testing and pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
This visa is ideal for skilled foreign workers with an Australian employer sponsor who want a multi-year stay with dependents and a clear pathway to permanent residence.
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Cost Breakdown
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 4 years |
Annual Cap & Quota
36,825 places (2025–26 program year); Specialist Skills stream capped at approximately 3,000 places annually
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Australia186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be sponsored and nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor for a genuine position
Nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for Core Skills stream, or in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 for Specialist Skills stream
Minimum 1 year of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation within the past 5 years
Salary must meet or exceed the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and the stream income threshold: AUD $76,515 (Core Skills) or AUD $141,210 (Specialist Skills) as of July 1, 2025
Competent English: IELTS 5.0 overall (no band below 5.0) or equivalent (PTE Academic 50/47; TOEFL iBT 35; Cambridge 154); exemptions for UK, Ireland, US, Canada, NZ passport holders
Meet Australia's character requirements under s.501 Migration Act 1958
Meet health requirements (medical examination)
Positive skills assessment from relevant assessing authority (mandatory for Core Skills stream and some Specialist Skills occupations)
Employer must conduct Labour Market Testing (LMT) demonstrating no suitable Australian worker available (Core Skills stream)
KEY CRITERIA
Education
vocational or higher
Experience
1+ years
Min. Income
76,515 AUD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport (recommended 12+ months validity)
Positive skills assessment certificate from relevant assessing authority
English language test results (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge)
Signed employment contract or letter of offer from sponsoring employer
Work experience evidence: employment contracts, payslips, employer reference letters specifying position, duties, hours, and dates
Educational qualifications and transcripts
Health examination results from an approved panel physician
Australian Federal Police (AFP) check if resided in Australia for 12+ months
Police clearance certificates from each country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years (since age 16)
Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) insurance certificate
Proof of name change if applicable (marriage certificate, deed poll)
For family members: marriage/de facto certificate, birth certificates, passports of all dependants
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Clear pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) after 2 years of full-time employment
- Fast processing for Specialist Skills stream (median ~7 days targeted)
- Extended 180-day grace period to find a new employer sponsor if employment ends
- Time with multiple approved sponsors counts toward the 2-year PR qualification requirement
- No age restriction unlike many other skilled visa programs
- Dependants (spouse/partner and children) granted accompanying work and study rights
- Specialist Skills stream has no occupation list restriction — open to any qualifying ANZSCO occupation above the salary threshold
- Work experience requirement reduced to 1 year (down from 2 years) as of December 2024 reforms
- Priority processing available for critical sectors including healthcare and education
Worth Knowing
- Visa is employer-sponsored — applicants must maintain employment with the nominating sponsor
- Core Skills stream requires mandatory Labour Market Testing by the employer before nomination
- Salary thresholds are indexed annually; Core Skills Income Threshold and Specialist Skills Income Threshold increase each July 1
- Mandatory positive skills assessment required for Core Skills stream and some Specialist Skills occupations
- SAF levy is the employer's cost and cannot legally be passed on to the employee
- Visa condition 8607 restricts work to the nominating sponsor except during the 180-day grace period
- English language test formats accepted changed in September 2025 — some older formats no longer accepted
- Specialist Skills stream excludes trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers (ANZSCO Major Groups 3, 7, 8)
Application Process
Employer applies to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor (if not already approved)
Employer lodges a nomination application for the specific position and nominee
Employer completes Labour Market Testing for Core Skills stream
Applicant obtains a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
Applicant takes an English language test (if not exempt)
Applicant undergoes health examination via an approved panel physician
Applicant obtains police clearances from all countries of residence (12+ months since age 16, in past 10 years)
Applicant lodges visa application (Form 1100 or online via ImmiAccount) linked to the approved nomination
Department of Home Affairs assesses and decides on the application
Application Forms
Go to application portal| 1100 – Application for a Skills in Demand visa Application for a Skills in Demand visa | — |
| 1023 – Notification of incorrect answers Notification of incorrect answers | — |
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Living in Australia
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