Summary: The new Skills in Demand (SID) visa subclass 482 replaces the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa from December 2024. It introduces Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams, each with specific criteria. This guide explains the general overview, eligibility requirements, key benefits and employer obligations.
Read on to understand how the Australian SID visa works for both skilled individuals and employers.
1. The subclass 482 TSS Visa is Out. Meet the New SID 482 Visa
In December 2024, Australia’s Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa was replaced by a new and more responsive Skills in Demand (SID) visa.
The SID visa introduces a three-stream system designed to better align with real labour market needs and offer clearer permanent residency (PR) pathways.
If you’re a skilled professional currently in Australia or an employer seeking to sponsor overseas talent, understanding this new framework is essential.
2. Why the 482 Was Replaced
The 482-visa system had become outdated, rigid and slow to evolve with economic trends. Key challenges included:
- Long PR waiting times
- Inflexible occupation lists
- Poor alignment between visa holders and long-term workforce demand
The government introduced the SID visa to address these issues. They wanted to simplify the pathway, prioritising talent that meets genuine economic needs and unlocking faster PR for those who qualify.
3. What Is the Skills in Demand Visa?
The SID visa is Australia’s new employer-sponsored visa for SC 482. It keeps the core principle of employer nomination but splits eligibility into three targeted streams:
- Core Skills stream: Targets a wide range of skilled occupations in the CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List) across various industries, including healthcare, engineering and trades. Applicants must have relevant qualifications and at least one year of relevant full-time work experience. Applicants may need more relevant experience if their qualifications are not relevant.
- Specialist Skills stream: Designed for high-earning professionals in specialised fields such as technology, AI and fintech. The salary on offer should be at least AUD 141,210 annually and above the market rate salary too.
- Labour Agreement stream: This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. These agreements allow employers to sponsor overseas workers for occupations that are not available through standard visa programs, often addressing chronic workforce shortages in specific industries or regions. Applicants must meet the criteria outlined in the Labour Agreement, which may include specific skill sets, qualifications or work experience. The visa duration typically aligns with the terms of the Labour Agreement, often up to four years. This stream may also provide a pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.
SID focuses more on skill requirements, salary thresholds, skill levels and job roles in demand rather than just matching to occupation lists.
Keep in mind that the SID visa framework is new and still evolving. For instance, an Essential Skills stream is on the horizon to further address critical sectors. We will update this guide as new information becomes available.
4. Why the SID Visa Matters
The new Skills in Demand (SID) visa introduces several important improvements for both skilled workers and employers:
- Clear PR Pathway for All Occupations: The old short-term vs medium-term occupation split is gone. Every eligible occupation under the SID visa now has a pathway to permanent residency.
- Lower Work Experience Requirement: Applicants now need just 1 year of full-time, relevant work experience in the last 5 years. This is down from the previous 2-year requirement under the old 482.
- One Simplified Occupation List: A single Core Occupation List replaces the confusing STSOL and MLTSSL tiers, making it easier for employers and individuals to check eligibility.
- More Flexibility for Visa Holders: Workers who leave their sponsor have 180 days (or a total of 365 days across multiple periods) to find a new sponsor, which is a significant increase from 60 days.
- Faster Processing for High Earners: Applications from visa applicants earning above $141,210 are eligible for 7-day priority processing through the Specialist Skills stream, ensuring quick access to critical talent.
5. SID Visa Streams Explained: Core vs Specialist vs Labour Agreement
Stream | Who It’s For | Key Features |
Core Skills | Most skilled workers (common occupations on CSOL) | – Standard pathway to PR (Subclass 186) |
|
| – Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (456 occupations) |
Specialist Skills | High-earning professionals in priority sectors | – No occupation list restrictions (excludes trades/labour) |
|
| – Salary above AUD 141,210 (Specialist Skills income threshold) |
Labour Agreement | Niche or lower-paid roles via agreements | – For occupations not on standard lists (sector or regional shortages) |
|
| – Requires a negotiated Labour Agreement; possible concessions on English, salary, etc. |
6. Is the SID Visa Right for You?
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is designed to serve both skilled individuals and Australian employers. Whether you’re already working in Australia or looking to enter from overseas, this new visa structure opens the door to long-term opportunities.
For Skilled Individuals:
If you’re a worker looking for employer sponsorship and a clear pathway to PR, the SID visa may be ideal for you if:
- You’re already in Australia and seeking sponsorship.
- You previously held a Subclass 482 visa and want to transition to PR.
- You work in a priority field such as tech, healthcare, trades or education.
- You’re offshore but have strong skills and employer interest.
For Employers:
If you’re an Australian business facing real skill shortages, the SID visa allows you to:
- Sponsor overseas or onshore workers through a streamlined system
- Access a single, simplified occupation list
- Offer roles at or above the AUD 76,515 TSMIT threshold
- Build a long-term talent pipeline with PR pathways for your staff
7. Employer Sponsorship Obligations under the SID 482 Visa
If you’re a business looking to sponsor a skilled worker under the new SID visa, your obligations remain central to the process and compliance is non-negotiable. Here’s what you need to know:
Sponsorship & Nomination Process: To sponsor a worker, you must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) unless you hold a valid Labour Agreement.
Process to sponsor a skilled worker:
- Apply to become (or renew as) an approved sponsor or apply for a Labour Agreement.
- Nominate the role in a Nomination Application.
- The individual then lodges a Visa Application.
Labour Market Testing (LMT): Mandatory for both the Core and Specialist streams
Salary & Employment Conditions: Workers must be paid at least the market salary rate, or above the TSMIT of AUD 76,515 (or AUD 141,210 for the Specialist stream)
Ongoing Sponsorship Compliance: As a sponsor, you must ensure the employee works in the nominated role only and notify the Department of any changes (e.g. business structure, employee resignation, etc.)
At Ten Heads Immigration, we support employers from large enterprises to lean startups in managing every part of the sponsorship process with confidence. Our team ensures you stay compliant while accessing the skilled talent you need.
For more information on the Employer Sponsored Visa, please visit here: https://tenheadsimmigration.com/employer-sponsored-visa/
8. How Ten Heads Immigration Can Help
One of our standout partnerships involved helping a leading healthcare provider bring in seven highly skilled professionals from overseas to meet urgent staffing needs in research, software engineering and biomedical science. Our team managed all 482 sponsorship processes end-to-end. The result? Critical roles were filled swiftly, enabling the organisation to drive innovation in areas like mixed reality, AI and advanced orthopaedic research.
We’ve already helped clients successfully navigate the transition from the 482 to SID visa. We’re helping new applicants step confidently into Australia’s updated skilled migration system.
✅ We work with both employers and individuals to:
- Assess eligibility across all three streams
- Prepare complete nomination and visa applications
- Strategically plan your PR pathway from day one
We are registered Australian migration agents (MARN 1575911 & 2318052), trusted by startups, established businesses, healthcare leaders and professionals across Australia and overseas.
What are the requirements for the new 482 SID visa?
To be eligible, you must have an employer willing to sponsor you, meet minimum work requirements and be nominated in an eligible occupation (Core stream) or meet a AUD 141,210 salary (Specialist stream).
How do I get PR from a SID visa?
All SID visa holders are eligible to apply for permanent residency after two years, provided they meet all criteria under the permanent Employer-sponsored program.
What is the Core Skills Occupation List?
The Core Skills Occupation List is a simplified list of 456 eligible occupations under the SID Core stream, replacing the old MLTSSL/STSOL lists. It reflects current workforce priorities.
Can 482 SID visa holders switch jobs?
Yes, SID visa holders have up to 180 days to find a new employer if they leave their current role. This offers greater job mobility and flexibility.
