Last Updated: October 07, 2026
 

Skills in Demand Visa Australia

The Skills in Demand Visa Australia (subclass 482), commonly known as the 482 visa, is a temporary Australian work visa that allows eligible skilled workers to work for an approved Australian sponsoring employer. It helps Australian employers fill eligible skilled positions when suitably skilled Australian workers are unavailable.

The visa has three main streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement. This guide explains the 482 visa requirements, eligibility criteria, occupation requirements, sponsorship and nomination process, application steps, costs, processing times, work conditions and possible pathways to permanent residence.
 

What is the 482 visa?

The 482 visa is a temporary Australian work visa that allows eligible skilled workers to work for an approved Australian sponsoring employer. Officially called the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482), it helps Australian employers fill eligible skilled positions when suitably skilled Australian workers are unavailable.

The subclass 482 visa has three main streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement. The applicable stream depends on the nominated occupation, employer sponsorship, salary requirements and the applicant's circumstances.

 

Skills in Demand Visa: Current Streams and Structure

The Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. The current subclass 482 visa has three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.

The requirements now depend on the applicable stream, including the nominated occupation, employer sponsorship, salary requirements, skills and work experience. Applicants who previously considered the TSS visa should check the current subclass 482 requirements with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before applying.
 

Core Skills stream:

For occupations included on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), subject to the applicable eligibility and salary requirements.
 

Specialist Skills stream:

For eligible occupations in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, subject to the Specialist Skills Income Threshold and other requirements.
 

Labour Agreement stream:

For employers that have an applicable Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.
 

Subsequent entrant: Eligible family members of a primary subclass 482 or former subclass 457 visa holder may be able to apply separately as subsequent entrants. A subsequent entrant is a family-member pathway and is not a fourth main stream of the Skills in Demand Visa.

The visa application charge starts from AUD $4,015 for the main applicant. The actual cost can vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and additional services or family members.

The subclass 482 visa can generally allow a stay of up to 4 years, with eligible Hong Kong passport holders able to stay for up to 5 years. Salary thresholds and other requirements can change, so applicants should check the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements before applying.
 

Why Apply for the 482 Visa?

1. Work and Live in Australia: The subclass 482 visa generally allows eligible holders to stay and work in Australia for up to four years, depending on the stream and individual circumstances.
2. Possible Pathway to Permanent Residency: Some subclass 482 holders may be eligible to apply for a permanent visa if they meet the requirements of an applicable permanent residence in Australia. Permanent residency is not automatic and depends on factors such as occupation, employer sponsorship, work experience, visa history and the requirements of the relevant permanent visa.
3. Include Family Members: You can include your family members (spouse and children) in your visa application, allowing them to live, work, and study in Australia.
4. Multiple Entries: The visa allows for multiple entries into Australia, enabling visa holders to travel in and out of the country.
5. Work for a Sponsor: Secure a position with an approved Australian employer who has nominated you for a role that cannot be filled by the local workforce.
    

Coming from the UK: How This Compares to UK Sponsorship

If you're already familiar with the UK's Skilled Worker visa system, several concepts in Australia's Subclass 482 will feel familiar, though the specifics differ:

• The UK's general salary threshold and 'going rate' concept is broadly similar to Australia's CSIT and SSIT both set a salary floor a sponsor must meet, indexed periodically.
• Both systems require a UK/Australian employer to hold approved sponsor status before nominating a worker.
• Both allow partners and children to be included in the application.

The key difference: Australia's system is run by the Department of Home Affairs, entirely separate from the UK Home Office - a UK sponsor licence or Certificate of Sponsorship has no bearing on an Australian employer's ability to sponsor you, and vice versa. If you're weighing a move to Australia versus staying in a UK-sponsored role, treat these as two completely independent application processes.
 

482 Visa Australia Eligibility

To be eligible for a 482 visa, you generally need an approved Australian sponsor, an eligible nominated occupation, relevant skills and work experience, English language proficiency, applicable salary requirements, and the required health and character clearances. Additional requirements depend on the visa stream, occupation and individual circumstances.

Key 482 visa eligibility requirements include:

• Approved employer sponsorship and nomination: You must have an eligible Australian employer that can sponsor and nominate you for the position.
• Eligible occupation: Your nominated occupation must meet the requirements of the relevant 482 visa stream.
• Skills and qualifications: You must have the skills, qualifications and employment background required for the nominated occupation.
• Work experience: The applicable stream generally requires relevant work experience, subject to the current visa rules and any exemptions.
• English language: You must meet the applicable English language requirement unless an exemption applies.
• Salary requirements: Your nominated position must meet the applicable salary and market salary requirements.
• Health and character: You must satisfy the Australian health and character requirements.
• Licensing or registration: Where required, you must hold the relevant Australian licence, registration or professional accreditation to perform the nominated role.
   

482 Visa Occupation List

The 482 visa occupation requirements depend on the visa stream and the nominated occupation. For the Core Skills stream, the nominated occupation must meet the current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) requirements. The Specialist Skills stream has different occupation and salary requirements, while Labour Agreement applicants must meet the occupation requirements specified in the applicable Labour Agreement.

Occupation lists and eligibility requirements can change. Applicants should check the current requirements with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before submitting a visa application.

 

482 Visa Australia Requirements

The main 482 visa requirements include employer sponsorship and nomination, an eligible occupation, relevant skills and work experience, English language proficiency, applicable salary requirements, and health and character requirements. Additional requirements may apply depending on the visa stream, occupation and individual circumstances.

1. Employer sponsorship and nomination: An approved Australian employer must sponsor and nominate you for an eligible position.
2. Eligible occupation: The nominated occupation must meet the requirements of the selected 482 visa stream.
3. Skills and qualifications: You must have the skills, qualifications and employment background required for the nominated occupation.
4. Relevant work experience: You must meet the applicable work experience requirement for your stream and nominated occupation.
5. English language proficiency: You must meet the required English language level unless an exemption applies.
6. Salary requirements: The nominated position must meet the applicable income threshold and, where required, the Annual Market Salary Rate.
7. Health and character: You must meet Australian health and character requirements.
8. Licensing and registration: You must hold any licence, registration or professional accreditation required for your occupation in Australia.
9. Other visa requirements: Additional requirements may apply depending on the selected stream, occupation, employer and individual circumstances.
    

Is a Skills Assessment Required for the 482 Visa?

A skills assessment is not required for every 482 visa applicant. It is required for some applicants or occupations, depending on the nominated occupation, nationality and applicable visa requirements.

Where a skills assessment is required, the applicant must obtain it from the relevant Australian assessing authority. Applicants should check the current Department of Home Affairs requirements before applying.

 

482 Visa Sponsorship and Nomination

The subclass 482 is an employer-sponsored visa. An eligible Australian employer generally needs to sponsor and nominate a skilled worker for an eligible position before the worker can obtain the visa.

The employer's sponsorship and nomination must meet the requirements of the relevant 482 stream. The nominated occupation, position, salary and employment arrangements must satisfy the applicable rules.

The employer is responsible for the sponsorship and nomination requirements, while the visa applicant must separately meet the subclass 482 visa eligibility requirements.
 

How to Apply for 482 Visa Australia

1. Find an Approved Sponsor: Secure a job offer from an Australian employer willing to nominate you for a 482 visa.
2. Employer Submits Nomination: Your employer must submit a nomination application on your behalf.
3. Prepare Your Application: Gather necessary documents, including evidence of skills, qualifications, English language proficiency, and health insurance.
4. Submit Visa Application: Once the nomination is approved, submit your visa application online through the Department of Home Affairs website.
5. Health and Character Checks: Undergo health examinations and provide character checks as required.
    

Processing Time for 482 Visa Australia

Processing time varies significantly by stream and individual circumstances. The Department of Home Affairs recommends using its live processing time guide tool for current, application-specific estimates, since these change regularly and aren't fixed by stream.
 

482 Visa Australia Cost

The 482 visa application charge starts from AUD $4,015 for the main applicant. Additional costs may apply for family members, health examinations, police checks and other services.

• Visa Application Charge: from AUD $4,015 for the main applicant (see current streams and structure above for full details). Additional charges apply for family members who are included in the application.
• Health Examinations and Police Checks: Costs will vary depending on the provider and country.
• Sponsorship and Nomination Charges: Paid by the employer, not the visa applicant.
   

Can the 482 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

The 482 visa can provide a pathway to permanent residency for some eligible visa holders, depending on their occupation, employer sponsorship, work experience, visa history and eligibility for an applicable permanent visa.

Holding a 482 visa does not automatically result in permanent residency. Applicants must separately meet the eligibility requirements of the relevant permanent residence visa when applying.
 

482 Visa Conditions and Work Rights

Subclass 482 visa holders must comply with the conditions attached to their visa and the requirements applicable to their nominated position. Depending on the stream and individual circumstances, visa holders may generally need to work for their sponsoring employer or an associated entity unless an exemption applies.

Before changing employers, occupations or work arrangements, visa holders should check their visa conditions and confirm that the proposed change is permitted under current Australian immigration rules.
 

Moving from the UK: What Else to Plan For

If you're relocating from the UK, a few practical things to plan for alongside your visa application: notifying HMRC of your departure (to correctly manage UK tax residency status), understanding your Australian tax residency obligations from the date you start work, and arranging health cover - the Subclass 482 doesn't include Australia's Medicare automatically for most visa holders, so private health insurance is generally required unless a reciprocal health care agreement applies to you specifically.