Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) Australia: Complete Guide
Learn about the 482 Skills in Demand visa in Australia, including eligibility, streams, costs, English requirements, occupations, and pathways to permanent residency.
Thinking about working and staying in Australia long-term?
If you're planning your next step after study or looking for a way to continue your career in Australia, employer sponsorship could be one of the pathways available to you.
The 482 Skills in Demand visa allows eligible Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers.
For some people, it can also become part of a longer-term plan towards permanent residency.
This guide explains how the visa works, who can apply, and what you need to know before getting started.
Important update: 482 visa salary thresholds increase from 1 July 2026. Know more about this update here.
Visa Pathway | Current Threshold | From 1 July 2026 |
Core Skills (482) | AUD 76,515 | AUD 79,499 |
Specialist Skills (482) | AUD 141,210 | AUD 146,717 |
If you're planning to apply for a 482 visa, timing matters now more than ever.
For some employers and workers, acting before 1 July 2026 could be the difference between qualifying under the current salary threshold and having to meet a higher one.
Not sure how this change affects your plans? Speak with an IDP migration expert to understand your options.
What is the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa?
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that allows eligible Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers when they cannot find a suitably skilled Australian worker for the role.
If approved, you can live and work in Australia for up to 4 years, or up to 5 years if you hold a Hong Kong passport.
Depending on your circumstances, the visa may also provide a pathway to permanent residency.
What changed from the old TSS visa?
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) was previously called the Temporary Skills Shortage visa.
This newer visa introduced several updates to employer-sponsored migration in Australia.
These changes include:
new visa stream structure
updated salary thresholds
generally lower work experience requirements
clearer pathways toward permanent residency for eligible applicants
The 482 visa now includes:
Core Skills stream
Specialist Skills stream
Labour Agreement stream
Subsequent entrant pathway for eligible family members
At a glance: 482 visa facts
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Visa type | Temporary employer-sponsored visa |
Visa subclass | Subclass 482 |
Current name | Skills in Demand (SID) visa |
Stay period | Up to 4 years |
Hong Kong passport holders | Up to 5 years |
Cost | From AUD 3,210 |
Work rights | Yes |
Study rights | Yes |
Travel rights | Yes |
Potential pathway to PR | Yes, if eligible |
What are the 482 visa streams?
The 482 visa has four streams. The stream that applies to you will depend on your occupation, salary, employer sponsorship arrangement, and personal circumstances.
Core Skills Stream
This is the most common 482 visa pathway.
The Core Skills Stream is for workers whose occupation appears on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). In most cases, you'll need an approved employer sponsor, at least 1 year of relevant work experience, and the required level of English proficiency.
Specialist Skills Stream
This stream is for workers in eligible higher-skilled occupations that meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
You'll generally need an approved employer sponsor, an eligible occupation, and a salary that meets the required threshold.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is for workers sponsored by employers who have a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.
The requirements can vary depending on the agreement. Some agreements may provide concessions for English language requirements, work experience, or occupation eligibility.
Subsequent Entrant Stream
This stream is for partners and dependent children of existing subclass 482 or subclass 457 visa holders.
If an eligible family member already holds one of these visas, you may be able to join them in Australia through the Subsequent Entrant pathway.
What are the general 482 visa requirements?
To qualify for a 482 visa, you generally need an approved employer sponsor, relevant skills and work experience, English language ability, and must meet Australia's health and character requirements.
The exact requirements will depend on which 482 visa stream you apply for. However, most applicants need to meet the following eligibility requirements.
Common 482 visa requirements
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Employer sponsorship | Must be nominated by an approved sponsor |
Skills and qualifications | Must be relevant to the nominated occupation |
Work experience | At least 1 year of relevant experience |
Salary requirement | Must meet the relevant income threshold (Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams) |
English language ability | Required unless an exemption applies |
Health requirement | Must meet Department of Home Affairs requirements |
Character requirement | Must meet Department of Home Affairs requirements |
Health insurance | Must have adequate health insurance arrangements |
What this means for you
Getting a job offer is only one part of the process. You'll also need to show that your occupation, skills, work experience, salary, and personal circumstances meet the visa requirements.
Many of these requirements apply across most 482 visa streams. Once you understand the basics, the next step is checking the specific rules that apply to your stream, occupation, and sponsorship arrangement.
View the full 482 visa requirements per stream
What occupations are eligible for a 482 visa?
To qualify for a 482 visa, your occupation must meet the requirements of the stream you are applying under.
The occupation rules are different for each stream. Some occupations must appear on an approved occupation list, while others may be available through a Labour Agreement.
Occupation requirements by stream
482 Visa Stream | Occupation Requirement |
|---|---|
Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). | |
Your occupation must generally fall within eligible ANZSCO occupation groups and meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold. | |
Your occupation must be included in your employer's Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. Available occupations vary depending on the agreement. |
English requirements for the 482 visa
Most 482 visa applicants must meet the visa's English language requirements unless an exemption applies.
For IELTS, you generally need a minimum score of 5.0 in each test component, including Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
View the full 482 visa requirements per stream
How much does a 482 visa cost?
The 482 visa application fee starts from AUD 3,210. However, your total cost may be higher if you include family members or need to cover additional requirements, such as health checks and English tests.
482 visa application charges
Cost Type | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
Main applicant | AUD 3,210 |
Additional applicant (18 years and over) | AUD 3,210 |
Additional applicant (under 18 years) | AUD 800–810 |
Additional costs to consider
Along with the visa application charge, you may also need to budget for:
Health examinations
Police clearance certificates
English language tests
Skills assessments (if required)
Document translations and certification
The exact amount will depend on your occupation, country of application, and personal circumstances.
What this means for you
Many people focus on the visa application fee and forget about the extra costs that can come with the process.
Planning ahead can help you avoid unexpected expenses later. If you're applying with a partner or children, it's worth budgeting for the full cost of the application rather than just the main visa fee.
What documents do you need for a 482 visa?
Most 482 visa applicants need to provide documents that prove their identity, qualifications, work experience, and eligibility for employer sponsorship.
The exact documents can vary depending on your visa stream, occupation, and personal circumstances. However, most applicants are asked to provide the following documents.
Common 482 visa document checklist
Document Type | Examples |
|---|---|
Identity documents | Passport, birth certificate, name change documents (if applicable) |
Work experience documents | Employment reference letters, employment contracts, payslips, resume or CV |
Qualification documents | Degree certificates, diplomas, trade qualifications, academic transcripts |
English language documents | IELTS test results (if required) |
Character documents | Police clearance certificates |
Health documents | Medical examination results (if requested) |
Preparing these documents early can help reduce delays and make the application process smoother.
Can a 482 visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. Eligible 482 visa holders may later qualify for permanent residency through employer-sponsored pathways such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.
The pathway available to you will depend on your occupation, visa history, employer sponsorship, and whether you meet the requirements at the time you apply.
What this means for you
If your long-term goal is permanent residency, it's worth thinking beyond the visa you're applying for today.
For students and graduates, employer sponsorship can become an important step between study and permanent residency. Building relevant work experience, improving your English, and understanding which occupations are in demand can help strengthen your future options.
If you're already working in Australia or exploring employer sponsorship, it can help to understand how your current role fits into your longer-term plans. The decisions you make now may affect the pathways available to you later.
Because permanent residency requirements can change over time, getting advice early can help you build a clearer plan for your future in Australia.
What does the 482 visa mean for your future in Australia?
The 482 visa is more than a work visa. For many people, it becomes part of a longer journey that may include study, work experience, employer sponsorship, and potentially permanent residency.
If you are studying in Australia
If you're still studying, the 482 visa is probably not something you need right away.
However, understanding how employer sponsorship works can help you make informed decisions about your course, future occupation, and career goals. Choosing a field that aligns with Australia's workforce needs may open up more opportunities after graduation.
If you are on a 485 visa
Many graduates use the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa to gain local work experience after finishing their studies.
For some graduates, the next step may be employer sponsorship through a 482 visa. Building relevant work experience, improving your English, and finding an employer willing to sponsor you can help strengthen your future options.
If you are planning employer sponsorship
The 482 visa is one of Australia's main employer-sponsored visa pathways.
If you're exploring sponsorship opportunities, it's important to understand whether your occupation is eligible, whether you meet the work experience requirements, and whether your employer can sponsor you under the appropriate stream.
Planning early can make the process smoother and help you avoid surprises later.
If permanent residency is your long-term goal
The 482 visa is a temporary visa. However, for some people, it can become a stepping stone to permanent residency through employer-sponsored pathways such as the subclass 186 visa.
Because every situation is different, it's helpful to think about your long-term goals early. The course you choose, the work experience you gain, your English results, and your occupation can all play a role in the pathways available to you later.
How IDP can support your study, work, and migration goals
A successful 482 visa application often starts long before an employer agrees to sponsor you.
The course you study, the occupation you choose, the work experience you gain, and the English results you achieve can all play a role in your future options.
Whether you're still studying, about to graduate, or already working in Australia, IDP can help you understand the pathways available to you.
From study planning and IELTS preparation to employer-sponsored visas and long-term migration goals, we're here to help you make informed decisions at every stage of your journey.
Frequently asked questions about the 482 visa
What is the Skills in Demand visa?
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that allows eligible Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for roles they cannot fill locally.
How long can you stay on a 482 visa?
Most 482 visa holders can stay in Australia for up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.
What occupations are eligible for the 482 visa?
Eligible occupations depend on the visa stream. This may include occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), eligible ANZSCO occupations, or occupations covered by a Labour Agreement.
How much work experience do you need for a 482 visa?
Most applicants need at least 1 year of relevant work experience in their nominated occupation or a related field.
Can internships count as work experience for a 482 visa?
In some cases, yes. Relevant internships, apprenticeships, clinical placements, and certain industry placements may count towards the work experience requirement.
Can family members join you in a 482 visa?
Yes. Eligible partners and dependent children can usually be included in your application or apply later through the Subsequent Entrant pathway.
Can a 482 visa lead to PR?
Yes. Eligible 482 visa holders may later qualify for permanent residency through employer-sponsored pathways such as the subclass 186 visa.
What English score do I need for a 482 visa?
Many applicants need a minimum IELTS score of 5.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking unless an exemption applies.
Can I change employers on a 482 visa?
Yes, but your new employer will generally need to sponsor and nominate you before you can continue working for them under the 482 visa.
How much does a 482 visa cost?
The visa application fee starts from AUD 3,210 for the main applicant. Additional charges may apply for family members and other requirements, such as health checks and English tests.
What happens if my salary is below the threshold?
If your salary does not meet the minimum income threshold for your visa stream, your employer may not be able to sponsor you under the 482 visa.