The subclass 482 visa, known as the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, allows professionals to live and work in Australia through employer sponsorship. It offers a streamlined route for qualified individuals to contribute to Australia’s workforce across high-demand industries. For many, it also opens a long-term pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. If you’re considering the 482 visa, speak with our migration experts to understand your eligibility.
The 482 visa in Australia allows approved employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers where no suitable Australian candidate exists. Applicants must be nominated in a relevant occupation, meet skill and English language requirements and have a valid sponsorship. The visa can last up to four years, and in select cases, holders may become eligible to apply for permanent residency under specific streams.
It comprises three distinct streams, each tailored to different occupational categories and applicant profiles.
This stream is suited to mid‑level professionals in occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Employers nominate roles when local talent is unavailable.
This pathway is designed for high‑earning specialists in ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 who meet a salary threshold.
This stream enables employers with formal labour agreements with the Department to nominate skilled workers in occupations not on standard skilled lists.
Dedicated sponsorship and job mobility — Visa holders are tied to an approved employer while they hold the 482 visa but visa holders may change sponsors during their visa tenure — granted they secure a new nomination — and can pause work up to 180 days without breaking the visa. This flexibility supports career transitions and mobility .
Fast-track processing for specialists — Under the Specialist Skills stream, skilled professionals enjoy expedited processing that accelerates entry to Australia and reduces uncertainty.
Family inclusion with rights to live, work and study — With the Subsequent Entrant visa, eligible family members can enjoy work and study entitlements. They may also access to Medicare where reciprocal agreements apply.
All full‑time sponsored work counts towards PR — Time spent working under the SID visa counts towards permanent residency eligibility via the Employer Nomination Scheme after two years through the TRT stream.
Reduced work experience threshold — Only one year of relevant full-time employment is required for most streams, down from two years under the previous TSS visa.
Legal protections under Australian employment law — Visa holders are covered by the Fair Work Act and enjoy workplace rights and protections, including minimum wage, leave entitlements and safe working conditions.
Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) — Employer must hold current SBS approval granted via ImmiAccount. SBS is valid for five years if the business is over 12 months old; one year if newer.
Genuine role nomination — The position must be genuine, full‑time, necessary for business operations and compliant with ANZSCO classification relevant to the chosen stream.
Labour market testing (LMT) — Employers must advertise the role to show that no suitable Australian candidates are available. Citizens from China, Japan, Mexico, the UK, Singapore and other countries might qualify for exemptions under international trade obligations.
Market salary compliance — Proposed remuneration must meet or exceed the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and reflect the market rate. For the Core Skills stream from July 2025: AUD 76,515; Specialist Skills: AUD 141,210.
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — Employer must pay SAF levy: AUD 1,200/year for small businesses (<AUD 15 M turnover), AUD 1,800/year for larger employers.
Stream-specific criteria
– Core Skills stream: Occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
– Specialist Skills stream: High-income roles in ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, meeting the salary threshold– Labour Agreement stream: Employer must have an active approved labour agreement.
Ongoing sponsorship obligations — Employer must maintain compliance by notifying the Department of any changes (e.g. role, termination), keeping employment records for two years and ensuring the visa holder works only in the nominated occupation, etc.
Approved employer nomination — Must be nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor or under an active Labour Agreement.
Relevant occupation alignment — Core Skills stream requires occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL); Specialist Skills stream requires ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6; Labour Agreement stream occupations defined by the agreement.
Minimum work experience — At least 12 months of relevant full-time (or part-time equivalent) work in your nominated occupation or related field, within the last five years.
Skills and qualifications — Must hold the required qualifications and, where mandated by the ANZSCO occupation, a formal skills assessment if the applicant’s work experience can be considered in lieu.
English proficiency — Applicants must meet minimum English language standards equivalent to IELTS 5.0 overall, with no band score lower than 5.0 — unless exempt due to nationality, study or licensing.
Health and character clearances — Must pass health examinations, provide police certificates for all countries lived in for 12+ months over the past 10 years and meet character requirements.
Genuine intention to work — Applicants should demonstrate genuine intent to work in the nominated occupation in Australia for the duration of the visa.
Consultation and engagement: We begin with a personalised Zoom or phone consultation to evaluate your eligibility and outline your visa options. If you proceed, we’ll confirm the engagement and set the groundwork for your case preparation.
Preparation and strategy: We build tailored migration strategies and prepare strong supporting documents that reflect your background, skills and goals. Our approach is evidence-based, precise and fully aligned with Migration Law.
Employer nomination and compliance: We coordinate with your sponsoring employer to help them meet their nomination requirements. This includes Labour Market Testing, salary requirements and accurate role nomination under the correct visa stream.
Employee application submission: We will help you compile all necessary documents covering qualifications, work history, English results and health and character records.
Application lodgement and communication: Once both the employer and employee components are ready, we lodge the application and handle all correspondence with the Department. You’ll receive timely updates throughout the process.
Decision and post-lodgement support: We notify you as soon as a decision is made and remain available to advise on next steps, whether activating your visa or planning for permanent residency.
At Ten Heads Immigration, we offer a complete 482 visa documentation checklist for employers and employees, covering identification, skills, experience, nomination evidence and all stream-specific requirements. Our process is strategic, transparent and backed by deep expertise in Australian migration pathways. Contact us today to learn more about our services. We also assist with visas like the National Innovation Visa and other immigration pathways.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is general in nature and does not constitute Migration Advice. Visa eligibility and requirements may change over time and vary depending on individual circumstances. We recommend booking a consultation with a Registered Migration Agent at Ten Heads Immigration for personalised advice tailored to your situation. For official information, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Skilled overseas workers can apply if nominated by an approved Australian employer and meet the requirements for their stream: Core Skills, Specialist Skills or Labour Agreement. Applicants must demonstrate relevant work experience, qualifications, English proficiency, health and character clearances and occupation alignment.
The SID visa replaced the short-term and medium-term streams with new streams based on salary and occupation lists. It introduced faster processing for high-income roles, improved job mobility, clearer PR pathways and reduced work experience requirements. It also addresses previous delays and aligns better with workforce needs.
Following staged reforms, the Skills in Demand visa officially replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa structure in December 2024. The new framework applies to all 482 visa applications lodged from 25 November 2024 onwards, with updated streams and criteria now in effect.
Employers must notify the Department of Home Affairs within 28 days of any changes in legal entity, ABN, ownership or business structure. Resignation or cessation of employment must also be reported promptly. Visa holders must find a new sponsor within 180 days or risk non-compliance.
Yes. Offshore applicants can apply for Australia’s 482 visa if they meet all eligibility criteria. This includes at least one year of relevant full-time work experience in the last five years, English proficiency (IELTS 5.0 overall with no band below 5.0), required skills or assessments and satisfying health, character and stream-specific conditions.
Step into your future in Australia with the skilled visa pathway. At Ten Heads Immigration Experts, we specialise in navigating the complexities of skilled visa applications. Our dedicated team offers tailored advice and expert assistance to streamline your journey.
Let us guide you through each step, ensuring a smoother transition to your professional life in Australia.
Under the skilled visas, points are given for factors like age, qualifications, work experience, English proficiency, state nomination and more. The minimum points required are 65 points but generally the invitations are received at higher points. This is because there is high demand for these visas and the applicants with higher point are mostly invited before the applicants with lower points.
Family members can be included. Your partner and dependent children are considered family members. Dependent children have a detailed definition in Migration Law and so if the definition of a Partner.
All occupations can be assessed by a nominated skill assessment body and all skill assessment bodies have their own specific requirements.
Skilled visa process does not require a job offer in Australia unless it is a requirement for a state nomination.
Migration Law keeps on changing as per the needs of the economy. It is best to consult a Registered Migration Agent to make sure that you are aware of the latest changes in the Australian Migration Law and Policy.
Yes, we assist with state nomination process as getting an invitation for you is our highest endeavour.
The minimum requirement for English is competent English, which can be demonstarted through nominated English tests or if you have a passport of a nominated country like United Kingdom, United States etc. In most cases, a higher score is required in English to have a competitive score on the points test to secure an invitation.
Processing times vary greatly and can range between 6 months to about a year on an average.
Primary applicant should be less than 45 years at the time of invitation for the visa.
Generally, a declaration os funds may need to be provided at the state nomination stage but there is no need to provide evidence of funds for the visa application.
If your application was made while you were onshore in Australia, you may have a right to review within a certain period with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). We specialsie in AAT reviews, kindly send us the details and our Registered Migration Agent will set up an initial consultation to discuss your case.
Discover how hiring a migration agent can enhance the efficiency and success of your skilled visa application, providing expert guidance and ensuring compliance with immigration laws. You can read more about it here.
There are many pathways to permanent residency if you currently hold a temporary visa in Autsralia. Dependning on your circumstances and your eligibility, our Registered Migration Agents will discuss the options in details with you.
Yes, all family members will need to undergo a health examination before the visa is finalsied. If you have a question regarding the health criteria, pl get in touch with us.
No, a skilled visa is not possible, if your occupation is not on MLTSSL, STSOL or the ROL list. There may be other options for you to migrate, for exmaple Employer-sponsored visas, family visas, student visa etc.
Stay updated on the latest COVID-19-related immigration policies and how they may affect skilled visa processing, travel, and quarantine requirements.
