Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they cannot find suitable Australian employees.
This employer-sponsored temporary visa replaced the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa and helps businesses fill genuine skill shortages while protecting local job opportunities.
The visa also offers eligible applicants a pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
What’s New in the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Effective 7 December 2024)
- The old TSS (Subclass 482) streams based on STSOL, MLTSSL, and ROL lists have been removed
- A single Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is now used for most applicants
- Updated salary thresholds and work experience rules apply from 1 July 2024
- Minimum work experience reduced to 12 months full-time in the last 5 years for many roles
- Higher chances of PR pathway through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
Streams of the Skills in Demand Visa
Core Skills Stream
- Occupations must be listed on the CSOL
- Visa validity up to 4 years
- PR pathway available for eligible roles
- For high-demand, niche, or highly skilled r
- Higher salary threshold applies (Specialist Skills Income Threshold – SSIT)
- Visa validity can extend up to 5 years in certain cases
- For employers with approved labour agreements with the Australian Government
- Flexible occupation and salary conditions depending on agreement
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
- Have a sponsoring employer approved as a Standard Business Sponsor or Labour Agreement holder
- Be nominated in an eligible occupation (CSOL or approved list)
- Have at least 12 months of relevant full-time experience in the last 5 years
- Meet English language requirements
- Pass health and character checks
- Be paid at least the required market salary or threshold
- Hold a valid visa if applying from within Australia
Eligibility Criteria for Employers
- Be a legally operating business
- Be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
- Pay sponsorship and nomination fees
- Nominate roles in eligible occupations
- Meet salary compliance rules and labour market testing (if required)
- Follow all sponsorship obligations under Australian immigration law
English, Health, and Character Requirements
- English: Required level depends on occupation and stream
- Health: Medical checks required for applicant and dependents
- Character: Police clearance certificates needed
- Family inclusion: Spouse/de facto partner and dependent children can be included
Pathway to Permanent Residency
- Many visa holders can apply after around 2 years of full-time employment with the sponsoring employer
- Eligibility depends on occupation, stream, and employer nomination
- Meeting all visa and PR requirements is essential
Visa Costs (Updated 2025–2026)
- Main applicant & each dependent (18+): AUD 3,210
- Dependent child: AUD 805
- Possible STAC fee (onshore applications): AUD 700
- Sponsorship application: AUD 420
- Nomination fee: AUD 330
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy:
- Business turnover < AUD 10M: AUD 1,200 per visa year
- Business turnover ≥ AUD 10M: AUD 1,800 per visa year
Example
Small business sponsoring for 2 years:
- Nomination fee: AUD 330
- SAF levy: 2 × 1,200 = AUD 2,400
- Total: AUD 2,730 (excluding sponsorship fee)
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Frequently Asked Questions
It is an employer-sponsored visa that allows skilled overseas workers to live and work in Australia when local workers are not available. It also provides a pathway to permanent residency.
Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement streams, each based on occupation type, salary level, and employer requirements.
Only Australian employers approved as Standard Business Sponsors or those with a Labour Agreement can sponsor workers.
Relevant skills, experience, English ability, health, character clearance, and minimum salary threshold compliance are required.
Yes, for certain occupations depending on the job role and assessing authority requirements.
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children, or add them later as subsequent entrants.
Yes. Most eligible SID visa holders can transition to the Subclass 186 visa after meeting work and employer requirements.
Yes, but your new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination before you switch.
Usually 1 to 4 years under Core Skills and up to 5 years in some Specialist cases, depending on nomination.
From July 2025, AUD 3,210 for the main applicant, plus additional charges for dependents and employer fees.
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