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Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled overseas worker for up to 4 years when it cannot find a suitably skilled Australian. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024 and has three streams: Core Skills (occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, salary at least AUD 79,423), Specialist Skills (salary at least AUD 146,576) and Labour Agreement. You need at least 1 year of relevant work experience, and after 2 years with your sponsor you may be able to apply for permanent residence through the subclass 186 visa.
Skills in Demand Visa (482) at a Glance
| Visa type | Temporary, up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders) |
|---|---|
| Streams | Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement |
| Sponsor | An approved Standard Business Sponsor (or labour agreement party) must nominate the position |
| Salary (from 1 July 2026) | Core Skills: at least AUD 79,423 and the market rate. Specialist Skills: at least AUD 146,576 |
| Work experience | At least 1 year relevant experience |
| English | For example IELTS 5 in each band (tests from 13 September 2025), unless exempt |
| Age limit | None for the 482 |
| Government charge | AUD 4,015 main applicant and each adult, AUD 1,005 per child (from 1 July 2026) |
| Pathway to PR | Employer Nomination Scheme (186) Temporary Residence Transition stream after 2 years |
The Three 482 Streams
| Stream | Occupation | Minimum salary (nominations from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills | On the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), subject to any caveats | Core Skills Income Threshold AUD 79,423, and at least the market salary rate |
| Specialist Skills | Most occupations in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Trades, machinery operators and labourers are excluded | Specialist Skills Income Threshold AUD 146,576 |
| Labour Agreement | As specified in the employer's labour agreement with the Government | As set in the agreement |
Salary thresholds are indexed every 1 July. The threshold that applies is the one in force when the nomination is lodged. Check your occupation with our occupation finder.
Requirements for the Worker
- Work experience: at least 1 year of relevant experience in the occupation or a related field. Part-time work can count if it adds up.
- Skills assessment: only if your occupation or passport requires one.
- English: for tests taken from 13 September 2025, for example IELTS of at least 5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking, or PTE Academic of at least 33, 36, 29 and 24. Some passport holders are exempt.
- Health insurance for your whole stay, plus health and character requirements.
What Employers Need
- Standard Business Sponsorship, approved for 5 years.
- Labour market testing: in most cases, 2 advertisements in Australia, each running for at least 4 weeks in the 4 months before nominating. The ad must show the salary if it is below AUD 96,400.
- Skilling Australians Fund levy: AUD 1,200 a year for businesses with turnover under AUD 10 million, or AUD 1,800 a year otherwise, paid upfront with the nomination. It cannot be passed on to the worker.
- Ongoing obligations: pay the nominated salary and conditions, keep records, and tell Home Affairs within 28 days if the employment ends or duties change.
Changing Employers and Losing Your Job
You can change employers, but your new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination before you start. If your employment ends, Home Affairs says you have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor, get a different visa or leave Australia.
Processing Times
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026: Specialist Skills applications were decided in 37 days (50%) and 78 days (90%), Core Skills in 4 months (50%) and 9 months (90%), and Labour Agreement in 5 months (50%) and 9 months (90%). Sponsorship approvals took 57 days or less for 90% of applications.
How to Apply
- Check the occupation and salaryConfirm the occupation is on the CSOL or meets the Specialist Skills criteria, and that the salary meets the threshold and market rate.
- Employer applies for sponsorshipThe business applies to become a Standard Business Sponsor, unless it already is one.
- Advertise the positionComplete labour market testing, unless an exemption applies.
- Employer lodges the nominationThe employer nominates the position and pays the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
- Worker lodges the visa applicationApply in ImmiAccount with evidence of experience, English, any skills assessment and health insurance.
- Start work and plan for permanent residenceWork only for your sponsor in the nominated occupation, and after 2 years ask about the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We act for both employers and workers. For employers, we prepare the sponsorship and nomination, check the salary and labour market testing evidence, and explain ongoing obligations. For workers, we confirm the right stream, prepare your visa application and plan your pathway to permanent residence through the 186.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Skills in Demand Visa (482) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Skills in Demand visa (482) · Salary requirements · Labour market testing · Cost of sponsoring · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the Skills in Demand visa?
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024. It allows an approved sponsor to employ a skilled overseas worker for up to 4 years.
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026?
For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576. The salary must also be at least what an Australian would be paid for the same job in the same location.
Is there an age limit for the 482?
No. The 482 has no age limit. However, the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (186) visa generally requires you to be under 45 when you apply, unless an exemption applies.
How much work experience do I need?
At least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field. Some labour agreements set different requirements.
What happens if I lose my job on a 482?
Home Affairs says you have up to 180 days to find a new approved sponsor, apply for another visa or leave Australia. Your employer must tell the Department within 28 days that your employment has ended.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children. Your partner can work and study in Australia. Each adult family member pays the same visa charge as the main applicant, AUD 4,015 from 1 July 2026, and each child AUD 1,005.
Who pays the Skilling Australians Fund levy?
The employer. It is AUD 1,200 per year of the visa for businesses with turnover under AUD 10 million, and AUD 1,800 per year for larger businesses, paid when the nomination is lodged. It is illegal to pass this cost on to the worker.
How do I get permanent residence from a 482?
After working for your sponsor for at least 2 of the last 3 years on a 482 (or 457) visa, your employer may nominate you under the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). Age, English, health and character requirements apply.
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