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482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
VisasAustralia482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
AustraliaAustralia•Oceania
Open

482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

7-210 days

Application Fee

7,225 AUD

Stay Duration

4 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information
Australia flag

Living in Australia

Cost of Living
1% cheaper than United States
Avg SalaryA$67,200
Quality of Life
190/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Sponsored by an approved employer for an occupation on the skilled occupation list. Short-term or medium-term stream.

The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) is Australia's primary employer-sponsored work visa, succeeding the TSS in December 2024. Employers nominate skilled foreign workers for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, or ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 above the Specialist Skills salary threshold.

Fees start from AUD 3,210. Stays are up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong/BNO holders), renewable, with a PR pathway via Subclass 186. Dependents may join with full work rights; employers must pass Labour Market Testing and pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy.

This visa is ideal for skilled foreign workers with an Australian employer sponsor who want a multi-year stay with dependents and a clear pathway to permanent residence.

Fee Breakdown

Base application charge (main applicant)
3,210 AUD
Adult dependent charge
3,210 AUD
Child dependent charge (under 18)
805 AUD

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant4 years

Annual Cap & Quota

36,825 places (2025–26 program year); Specialist Skills stream capped at approximately 3,000 places annually

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
Australia flagAustralia

186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

ValidityIndefinite
Processing6-12 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be sponsored and nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor for a genuine position

Nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for Core Skills stream, or in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 for Specialist Skills stream

Minimum 1 year of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation within the past 5 years

Salary must meet or exceed the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and the stream income threshold: AUD $76,515 (Core Skills) or AUD $141,210 (Specialist Skills) as of July 1, 2025

Competent English: IELTS 5.0 overall (no band below 5.0) or equivalent (PTE Academic 50/47; TOEFL iBT 35; Cambridge 154); exemptions for UK, Ireland, US, Canada, NZ passport holders

Meet Australia's character requirements under s.501 Migration Act 1958

Meet health requirements (medical examination)

Positive skills assessment from relevant assessing authority (mandatory for Core Skills stream and some Specialist Skills occupations)

Employer must conduct Labour Market Testing (LMT) demonstrating no suitable Australian worker available (Core Skills stream)

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

vocational or higher

Experience

1+ years

Min. Income

76,515 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (recommended 12+ months validity)

Positive skills assessment certificate from relevant assessing authority

English language test results (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge)

Signed employment contract or letter of offer from sponsoring employer

Work experience evidence: employment contracts, payslips, employer reference letters specifying position, duties, hours, and dates

Educational qualifications and transcripts

Health examination results from an approved panel physician

Australian Federal Police (AFP) check if resided in Australia for 12+ months

Police clearance certificates from each country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years (since age 16)

Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) insurance certificate

Proof of name change if applicable (marriage certificate, deed poll)

For family members: marriage/de facto certificate, birth certificates, passports of all dependants

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Clear pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) after 2 years of full-time employment
  • Fast processing for Specialist Skills stream (median ~7 days targeted)
  • Extended 180-day grace period to find a new employer sponsor if employment ends
  • Time with multiple approved sponsors counts toward the 2-year PR eligibility requirement
  • No age restriction unlike many other skilled visa programs
  • Dependants (spouse/partner and children) granted accompanying work and study rights
  • Specialist Skills stream has no occupation list restriction — open to any eligible ANZSCO occupation above the salary threshold
  • Work experience requirement reduced to 1 year (down from 2 years) as of December 2024 reforms
  • Priority processing available for critical sectors including healthcare and education

Worth Knowing

  • Visa is employer-sponsored — applicants must maintain employment with the nominating sponsor
  • Core Skills stream requires mandatory Labour Market Testing by the employer before nomination
  • Salary thresholds are indexed annually; Core Skills Income Threshold and Specialist Skills Income Threshold increase each July 1
  • Mandatory positive skills assessment required for Core Skills stream and some Specialist Skills occupations
  • SAF levy is the employer's cost and cannot legally be passed on to the employee
  • Visa condition 8607 restricts work to the nominating sponsor except during the 180-day grace period
  • English language test formats accepted changed in September 2025 — some older formats no longer accepted
  • Specialist Skills stream excludes trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers (ANZSCO Major Groups 3, 7, 8)

Application Process

1

Employer applies to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor (if not already approved)

2

Employer lodges a nomination application for the specific position and nominee

3

Employer completes Labour Market Testing for Core Skills stream

4

Applicant obtains a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority

5

Applicant takes an English language test (if not exempt)

6

Applicant undergoes health examination via an approved panel physician

7

Applicant obtains police clearances from all countries of residence (12+ months since age 16, in past 10 years)

8

Applicant lodges visa application (Form 1100 or online via ImmiAccount) linked to the approved nomination

9

Department of Home Affairs assesses and decides on the application

Application Forms

Go to application portal
1100 – Application for a Skills in Demand visa
Application for a Skills in Demand visa
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1023 – Notification of incorrect answers
Notification of incorrect answers
—

Verified Claims (25)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application StepsEmployer applies to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor (if not already approved); Employer…immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Dependent VisaSubclass 482 secondary (work authorized)immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Fee BreakdownBase application charge (main applicant): 3210 AUD; Adult dependent charge: 3210 AUD; Child dependen…mmvisa.com.au
FeesAUD 3,210 (main applicant and each adult dependent); AUD 805 per child dependent. An additional Subs…mmvisa.com.au
FormsForm 1100 – Application for a Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) (or online application via ImmiAc…immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 1023 – Notification of incorrect answers · descriptionNotification of incorrect answersimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 1100 – Application for a Skills in Demand visa · descriptionApplication for a Skills in Demand visaimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Included Nationalities—immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

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