The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482) is Australia's primary temporary employer-sponsored work visa, replacing the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa framework. It allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they can't find qualified Australians. The visa has three streams — Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement — with the key income threshold, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), set at AUD79,423 (from 1 July 2026). Most streams now offer a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 482 |
| Cost | From AUD4,015 for the main applicant (all streams) |
| CSIT (minimum salary) | AUD79,423 (from 1 July 2026) per year, for nominations |
| Visa duration | Up to 4 years |
| Work rights | Full-time for sponsoring employer |
| PR pathway | Yes (most streams, via Subclass 186) |
| Age limit | No (but 186 pathway requires under 45) |
| Family | Can include partner and children |
| Apply from | Inside or outside Australia |
The Three Streams
The Skills in Demand visa operates through three streams, each targeting different skill and salary levels.
Core Skills Stream
For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, paid at least the Core Skills Income Threshold.
This is the standard stream for most employer-sponsored workers. Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (which replaced the old STSOL and MLTSSL for the 482) and your salary must be at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is AUD79,423 (from 1 July 2026).
- Visa duration: Up to 4 years
- PR pathway: Yes, through Subclass 186 TRT stream after 2 years
- Skills assessment: Required only for some occupations (a mandatory assessment by Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS); Home Affairs can ask for one in other cases
- English requirement: Home Affairs' minimum standard of English language proficiency, unless you are exempt (check the accepted tests and scores with Home Affairs before you book a test)
Specialist Skills Stream
For high-earning workers paid at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
If your salary meets or exceeds the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT), which is AUD146,576 (from 1 July 2026), you don't need your occupation to be on the Core Skills Occupation List. But Home Affairs limits this stream to ANZSCO occupations in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6. Trades, machinery operators and labourers (Major Groups 3, 7 and 8) are excluded.
- Visa duration: Up to 4 years
- PR pathway: Yes, through Subclass 186 after 2 years
- Skills assessment: Only if your occupation requires one (same rule as Core Skills)
- English requirement: Home Affairs' minimum standard of English language proficiency
- Occupation list: No list, but only ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6
Labour Agreement Stream
For employers with a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian government.
Labour Agreements are negotiated between specific industries/employers and the government. They allow sponsorship of occupations or under conditions not available through the standard streams.
- Visa duration: As specified in the agreement
- PR pathway: Your employer may be able to sponsor you for the Subclass 186, depending on the agreement
- Skills assessment: Only if your occupation requires one
- English requirement: Generally the same as the other 482 streams, unless the labour agreement gives an English language concession
Most applicants will use either the Core Skills or Specialist Skills stream. Labour Agreements are relatively uncommon and industry-specific.
The TSMIT: $79,423 Minimum Salary
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was the 482 salary floor people knew: it was set at $73,150 AUD from 1 July 2024, after sitting at $53,900 from 2013 to 2023 and $70,000 in 2023–24. It rose to $76,515 from 1 July 2025 and $79,423 from 1 July 2026. For the 482 it has since been replaced. Core Skills nominations must now meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is AUD79,423 (from 1 July 2026), and Specialist Skills nominations must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT), which is AUD146,576 (from 1 July 2026). The TSMIT itself now applies only to the Subclass 494 and Subclass 187.
This figure is indexed and expected to increase annually. It includes base salary only — not superannuation, bonuses, overtime, or non-monetary benefits.
What this means in practice: If a role pays less than the CSIT, AUD79,423 (from 1 July 2026), it cannot be filled through the 482 visa. This effectively restricts employer sponsorship to mid-to-senior level positions and skilled trades with above-average wages.
The employer must also pay the sponsored worker at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) — what an equivalent Australian worker would earn in the same role. If the AMSR exceeds the CSIT, the higher amount applies.
Employer Obligations
The employer (sponsor) has significant obligations under the 482 visa program. Understanding these is important for both employers and visa holders.
Becoming an approved sponsor: The employer must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). This involves an application demonstrating the business is lawfully operating, has no adverse immigration history, and has a genuine need for overseas workers.
Labour market testing (Core Skills stream): Before nominating a 482 worker, the employer must demonstrate they've advertised the position to Australians and couldn't find a suitable local candidate. Advertising must be in specified platforms for at least 4 weeks within the 4 months before nomination.
Ongoing obligations:
- Pay the market salary rate for the life of the visa
- Ensure working conditions match Australian standards
- Keep records of all sponsored workers
- Notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to the worker's employment
- Pay travel costs for the worker to leave Australia if they become unlawful
- Not recover sponsorship costs from the worker
Training requirement: Sponsors must contribute to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF). The levy is $1,200 per year for businesses with turnover under $10 million, or $1,800 per year for larger businesses. This is paid by the employer, not the worker.
How to Apply (Worker's Perspective)
The 482 visa involves three separate applications, lodged in sequence.
Step 1: Employer becomes an approved sponsor (if not already).
- The employer applies for Standard Business Sponsorship
- Processing: 11 days (50%), 57 days (90%)
- Cost: $420
Step 2: Employer nominates you for the position.
- The employer lodges a nomination application for the specific role
- Must demonstrate labour market testing (Core Skills)
- Processing: 64 days (50%), 9 months (90%)
- Cost: $330
Step 3: You apply for the 482 visa.
- Complete your visa application through ImmiAccount
- Provide skills assessment, English test, qualifications, work experience
- Health examinations and police clearances
- Processing: Core Skills stream: 50% of applications processed within 4 months and 90% within 9 months; Specialist Skills stream: 50% of applications processed within 37 days and 90% within 78 days; Labour Agreement stream: 50% of applications processed within 5 months and 90% within 9 months
- Cost: from AUD4,015 for the main applicant (all streams)
These are Home Affairs processing times checked on 28 October 2026, and they update monthly. Visa applications are also prioritised under Ministerial Direction 121.
Total timeline from start to visa grant: Specialist Skills is fastest; Core Skills nominations and visas can each take up to 9 months at the 90% mark.
Documents You'll Need
- Valid passport
- Skills assessment (if your occupation requires one)
- English language test results
- Qualification certificates and academic transcripts
- CV/resume with detailed employment history
- Employment references (on company letterhead)
- Police clearances from every country you've lived in for 12+ months
- Health examination results
- Passport-sized photograph
Skills Assessments
For the 482, a skills assessment is mandatory only for some occupations, and that assessment is done by Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS. Home Affairs can still ask other applicants for one. For other skilled visas, each occupation has a designated body:
| Occupation Group | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|
| Engineers | Engineers Australia |
| IT professionals | ACS (Australian Computer Society) |
| Accountants | CPA, CA ANZ, or IPA |
| Nurses | ANMAC |
| Teachers | AITSL |
| Trades | TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) |
| Medical practitioners | AMC or relevant specialist college |
Skills assessments take 2–6 months and cost $300–$1,500 depending on the assessing authority. Start yours early — it's often the longest part of the process.
The Specialist Skills stream uses the same rule: you need a skills assessment only if your occupation requires one.
Changing Employers on a 482
What happens if you want to change jobs while on a 482 visa? You can, but there's a process.
Your new employer must:
- Be an approved sponsor (or become one)
- Nominate you for a position in their business
- The nomination must be approved before you start working for them
Do not start with the new employer early. Under condition 8607, you must work only in the occupation and for the business (or an associated entity) that nominated you for your most recent 482 visa. Wait until Home Affairs has approved the change.
If your new employer's nomination is refused or you leave your sponsor before a new nomination is in place, you have 180 days to find a new sponsor or leave Australia. This "180-day grace period" protects workers from being stranded if employment ends unexpectedly.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The biggest attraction of the 482 visa is its pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme).
After working for your sponsoring employer for at least 2 years on a 482 visa, you can apply for the 186 through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. Your employer must nominate you again, and you must be under 45 at the time of application.
For the full breakdown, see our 482 to 186 pathway guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work for any employer on a 482 visa?
No. You can only work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation. Working for a different employer or in a different role without proper approval is a visa breach. However, you can transfer to a new sponsor — see the "Changing Employers" section above.
What happens if I lose my job?
You have 180 days to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or leave Australia. Condition 8607 lets you stop working for your sponsor for up to 180 consecutive days, and no more than 365 days in total over the visa. You still cannot work for a new employer until Home Affairs has approved the change. If you can't find a new sponsor within 180 days, your visa may be cancelled.
Can my partner work on a 482 visa?
Yes. Your partner receives full, unrestricted work rights — they can work for any employer in any occupation with no hour limits. This is a significant benefit compared to some other temporary visas.
Is the 482 the same as the old TSS visa?
The 482 subclass number is the same, but the visa framework has been substantially reformed. The old Short-Term stream has been replaced by the Core Skills stream, the Medium-Term stream by the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, and the occupation lists have been consolidated. If you're reading older guides about the "TSS 482," be aware that many details have changed.
What's the minimum English requirement?
The 482 uses Home Affairs' minimum standard of English language proficiency, unless you are exempt. Home Affairs publishes the accepted tests and scores, so check them before you book a test. Some occupations (particularly healthcare) may have higher English requirements set by their skills assessing authority.
