Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand visa allows an approved Australian employer to sponsor a suitably skilled overseas worker for a genuine position that cannot be filled by an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
Subclass 482 is an employer-sponsored visa. The employer must lodge an eligible nomination, and the applicant can work only in the approved occupation for the sponsor or permitted associated entity unless an exemption applies.
What is the Skills in Demand Visa?
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage streams in December 2024. It gives Australian businesses access to skilled overseas workers where genuine shortages exist while maintaining labour market, salary and workplace protections.
The visa can generally be granted for up to four years, or up to five years for eligible Hong Kong passport holders. Visa duration and conditions depend on the stream, nomination and individual circumstances.
Current Subclass 482 streams
Core Skills stream
The Core Skills stream is for an occupation on the current Core Skills Occupation List. The nominated salary must meet the applicable Core Skills Income Threshold and annual market salary rate, and the employer must satisfy nomination and labour market requirements.
Specialist Skills stream
The Specialist Skills stream is for highly paid positions in eligible ANZSCO major groups where the nominated salary meets the applicable Specialist Skills Income Threshold. Certain trade, machinery operator, driver and labourer occupation groups are excluded from this stream.
Labour Agreement stream
This stream is for workers nominated under an approved agreement between the employer and Australian Government, including relevant industry, DAMA or company-specific arrangements. Occupations, concessions and visa terms depend on the agreement.
Key eligibility requirements
You must be nominated by an approved sponsor for a genuine skilled position and have the qualifications, skills and employment background required to perform the role. A skills assessment is mandatory for certain occupations and applicants.
You generally need at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience, or equivalent part-time or casual experience, in the nominated occupation or a related field within the previous five years. Primary applicants must meet the applicable English standard unless exempt.
How the Subclass 482 process works
Choose the correct stream
Match the occupation, salary and employer arrangements to Core Skills, Specialist Skills or Labour Agreement criteria.
Employer sponsorship and recruitment
The employer secures sponsor status and completes labour market testing where required.
Lodge the nomination
The sponsor nominates the genuine position with occupation, duties, salary and employment evidence.
Prepare and lodge the visa
The applicant submits skills, work experience, English, health, character and family documents through ImmiAccount.
Begin sponsored employment
After grant, commence within the required period and comply with occupation, employer and visa conditions.
Salary and employment requirements
The nominated salary must satisfy the current income threshold applicable to the chosen stream and be no less than the annual market salary rate for the position. Thresholds are indexed, so employers should check the amount applying when the nomination is lodged.
The terms offered to an overseas worker must comply with Australian workplace law and cannot be less favourable than those provided to an equivalent Australian worker. Employers may also need to pay nomination charges and the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
Visa conditions and changing employment
You generally must work in the nominated occupation for the sponsoring employer or an eligible associated entity. Employment must normally begin within 90 days of entry if the visa was granted overseas, or within 90 days of grant if granted in Australia.
If sponsored employment ends, strict conditions and time limits apply. Before starting with a new employer, that employer will generally need to lodge and obtain the required nomination approval or otherwise complete the applicable sponsorship process.
Permanent residence options
Eligible Subclass 482 holders may later be nominated for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), including the Temporary Residence Transition stream. Eligibility depends on the rules operating at that time and is not guaranteed by a Subclass 482 grant.
Important Subclass 482 Conditions
- Work only in the nominated occupation and permitted employment arrangement.
- Begin sponsored employment within the required 90-day period.
- Maintain any mandatory registration or professional licence.
- Follow Australian workplace laws and visa conditions.
- Notify the Department when relevant circumstances change.
- Check current salary thresholds at the nomination date.
- Review work rights and visa validity in VEVO.
Including family members
Eligible family members may be included in the application, and qualifying family can apply later as subsequent entrants with the sponsor's awareness. Health, character and relationship evidence requirements apply.
Documents commonly required
Documents can include passport and identity records, nomination details, employment contract, role and salary evidence, qualifications, skills assessment, licences, work references, English results, resume, health examinations, police certificates and family documents.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can identify the suitable SID stream, review occupation and salary settings, prepare employer and applicant checklists, assess skills and work evidence, and assist with sponsorship, nomination and visa stages.