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Skills in Demand Visa 482 | Essential 2026 Guide
If you have been searching for the Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482 or you still know it by its old name, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa there’s one thing to clear up before anything else.
On 7 December 2024, the Australian Government officially renamed and restructured this visa. The TSS is gone. The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is its replacement. It’s still Subclass 482. However, the streams, salary thresholds, work experience requirements, and English language standards have all changed. Most websites you’ll find online still show outdated information wrong stream names, incorrect experience requirements, old salary figures. Following outdated advice can get your application refused.
I’ve seen skilled workers lose time and money because they followed information that hadn’t been updated. So in this guide, I’m giving you the accurate, current picture of the 482 visa as it stands in 2026 including the corrections most migration websites still haven’t made. By the end, you’ll understand the three streams, your employer’s obligations, the full cost breakdown, and exactly how to apply. Moreover, I’ll cover the most common mistakes so you can avoid them entirely.
What Is the Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482?
The Skills in Demand Visa officially Subclass 482 is a temporary Australian employer-sponsored visa. It allows Australian employers to hire genuinely skilled overseas workers when they cannot find a suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident for a role.
Your employer sponsors you, nominates you for a specific position, and you get to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years with a clear pathway to permanent residency afterwards.
The 482 replaced the old Subclass 457 (abolished 2018), which became the TSS visa (abolished December 2024), which is now the current Skills in Demand visa. Each version has improved protections for workers and tightened accountability for employers.
Its purpose is straightforward: it helps regional employers fill genuine skills shortages when they cannot find a suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident for a role. In return, the sponsored worker lives and works in a designated regional area for up to 5 years with a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 thereafter.
Unlike the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa which is purely temporary the 494 is designed from the outset as a stepping stone to permanency. Moreover, unlike the Subclass 186 ENS visa which grants permanent residency immediately the 494 requires 3 years of regional compliance first.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Subclass | 482 |
| Official Name | Skills in Demand (SID) Visa |
| Previous Name | Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa |
| Renamed | 7 December 2024 |
| Visa Type | Temporary |
| Maximum Stay | Up to 4 years |
| Age Requirement | None |
| Pathway to PR | Yes via Subclass 186 ENS |
| Employer Required | Yes Standard Business Sponsor |
TSS vs SID What Changed on 7 December 2024
The old TSS visa had three streams: Short-term, Medium-term, and Labour Agreement. From 7 December 2024, those were replaced with:
| Old TSS Stream | New SID Stream |
|---|---|
| Short-term stream | Core Skills stream |
| Medium-term stream | Specialist Skills + Core Skills stream |
| Labour Agreement stream | Labour Agreement stream (unchanged) |
The old occupation lists the STSOL and MLTSSL were replaced by the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The Specialist Skills stream does not use a separate occupation list instead, it is based on ANZSCO Major Groups and a high salary threshold. More on this below.
Additionally, the work experience requirement changed from 2 years to 1 year under the new SID rules. The English language threshold also changed. Both are covered in detail in the eligibility section.
The 3 Streams of the Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482
Stream 1: Specialist Skills Stream
The Specialist Skills stream is designed for highly skilled, higher-income roles. Importantly, it does not use a separate “Specialist Skills Occupation List.” Instead, the nominated occupation must generally fall within ANZSCO 2022 Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6:
- Group 1: Managers
- Group 2: Professionals
- Group 4: Community and Personal Service Workers
- Group 5: Clerical and Administrative Workers
- Group 6: Sales Workers
The following ANZSCO Major Groups are excluded from the Specialist Skills stream:
- Group 3: Technicians and Trades Workers
- Group 7: Machinery Operators and Drivers
- Group 8: Labourers
Workers in trades, machine operation, or labour roles cannot access this stream regardless of salary. They must apply through the Core Skills stream instead.
Salary threshold: As at 13 May 2026, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD $141,210 per year. The nominated salary must also meet the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR) meaning if the market rate for the role is above $141,210, the employer must pay the higher amount.
Labour Market Testing: Generally not required for the Specialist Skills stream. This is a significant advantage it removes a time-consuming step for employers.
Visa duration: Up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
Stream 2: Core Skills Stream
The Core Skills stream is the primary stream for most employers and skilled workers across Australia. It covers the widest range of occupations and industries.
To qualify, your nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The Department uses ANZSCO 2022 classifications for this visa. The CSOL covers hundreds of occupations across healthcare, engineering, construction, IT, education, hospitality, and more.
Salary threshold: As at 13 May 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $76,515 per year. The salary must also meet the AMSR whichever is higher between the income threshold and the market rate must be paid.
Labour Market Testing: Generally required for the Core Skills stream, unless a specific exemption applies (such as an International Trade Obligation or a Labour Agreement arrangement).
Visa duration: Up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
Stream 3: Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is for skilled workers sponsored by employers who hold a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. Such agreements exist when standard visa programs cannot address a specific industry or regional shortage.
The most common type is the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). DAMAs allow regional employers to access a wider range of occupations sometimes with salary or English concessions that are not available under standard streams.
Age, English, and salary requirements under this stream depend on the specific Labour Agreement terms not the standard rules. Therefore, confirm the applicable requirements with Abbasi Migration before proceeding.
Visa duration: Up to 4 years (or as outlined in the labour agreement). Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
Subsequent Entrant
This is not a separate application stream it is a mechanism for partners and dependent children of an existing 482 holder to join them in Australia separately. The visa validity matches the remaining period of the primary holder’s visa. Family members over 18 receive unrestricted work and study rights in Australia.
Eligibility Requirements for the 482 Visa
Age
There is no age limit for the Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482. This is a key advantage over the Subclass 186 ENS and 494 SESR visas, both of which have a general under-45 requirement.
Work Experience
As at 13 May 2026, the Skills in Demand 482 visa requires at least 1 year of relevant full-time work experience or equivalent part-time experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
This is one of the most important corrections from the old TSS rules. Do not apply the old 2-year requirement to the current SID visa.
Your experience must be:
- Recent: gained within a reasonable timeframe before application
- Relevant: in the nominated occupation or a closely related field at the same ANZSCO skill level
- Evidenced: through employment reference letters on company letterhead, payslips, tax records, employment contracts, or position descriptions
Casual work does not count. Part-time work is accepted if it is equivalent in hours to full-time experience.
Skills Assessment
A skills assessment may be required depending on your occupation and the legislative instrument that applies. If required, you must obtain a positive assessment from the relevant assessing authority before lodging your application.
Even where a formal assessment is not required, you must still provide documentary evidence of your qualifications and experience certificates, licences, academic transcripts, professional references, and so on.
Medical practitioners must have their qualifications acknowledged by the relevant Australian regulatory authority before the nomination can be approved.
English Language
This is another area where many websites show incorrect information. The standard English requirement for the Skills in Demand 482 visa is not IELTS 6.0 in each band.
For IELTS General Training tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, the Department of Home Affairs minimum scores are:
| Component | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Listening | 5.0 |
| Reading | 5.0 |
| Writing | 5.0 |
| Speaking | 5.0 |
Equivalent scores in PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1 Advanced are also accepted.
English exemptions apply for eligible passport holders. If you hold a passport from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland, you are considered to meet the English requirement automatically. Additionally, some Labour Agreement arrangements provide different English requirements confirm this if your employer has a Labour Agreement in place.
Health, Character
All applicants including family members must pass a medical examination with an approved panel physician and provide police clearances from every country where they have lived for 12 months or more over the past 10 years.
You must also hold adequate health insurance for the full duration of your stay. This is a mandatory visa condition. Workers from countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia may be able to rely on that agreement confirm with your migration agent.
What Your Employer Must Do
The 482 visa is a three-stage process. Your employer completes Stages 1 and 2 before you can lodge your visa application.
Stage 1: Standard Business Sponsorship
Your employer must apply for and receive Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval from the Department of Home Affairs. The SBS application fee is AUD $420. SBS approval typically lasts 5 years. If your employer already holds SBS approval, they can use it without reapplying.
Stage 2: Labour Market Testing (Core Skills stream)
For Core Skills stream nominations, your employer must advertise the role for at least 28 days before lodging the nomination. The advertisement must have occurred within the 4 months before lodging, used at least two channels one of which must be a prominent national recruitment website and clearly specified the role, salary, qualifications, and employer details.
LMT is generally not required for the Specialist Skills stream or where an International Trade Obligation applies.
Step 3: Nomination
Once SBS and LMT are in place, your employer lodges the nomination through ImmiAccount and pays the nomination fee of AUD $330 plus the SAF levy.
SAF Levy Correct Figures as at 13 May 2026
The SAF levy is a mandatory employer obligation. It must not be passed to the visa applicant under any circumstances. The current standard 482 SAF levy rates are:
| Business Annual Turnover | SAF Levy (per year) | Total for 4-year visa |
|---|---|---|
| Under AUD $10 million | AUD $1,200 | AUD $4,800 |
| AUD $10 million or more | AUD $1,800 | AUD $7,200 |
Full Cost Breakdown 482 Visa 2026
| Cost Item | Who Pays | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| SBS application fee | Employer | $420 |
| Nomination fee | Employer | $330 |
| SAF Levy small business (per year) | Employer | $1,200/year |
| SAF Levy large business (per year) | Employer | $1,800/year |
| Visa fee Core Skills / Specialist Skills (primary) | Applicant | $3,035 |
| Visa fee additional applicant 18+ | Applicant | $3,035 |
| Visa fee additional applicant under 18 | Applicant | $760 |
| English language test | Applicant | $350–$600 |
| Skills assessment (if required) | Applicant | $300–$800 |
| Health examination (per adult) | Applicant | $300–$500 |
| Police clearances | Applicant | $50–$150 per country |
Always verify current government fees at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au fees are reviewed each July.
Processing Times
| Stream | 50% of applications | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills | ~29 days | ~80 days |
| Specialist Skills | ~25 days | ~65 days |
| Labour Agreement | 2–3 months | 5 months |
A complete, well-organised application with all required documents processes considerably faster than an incomplete one.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The 482 is temporary but it is a proven stepping stone to permanent residency.
After working for your sponsoring employer for at least 2 years in your nominated occupation, you become eligible to apply for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. The 186 TRT grants immediate, full permanent residency in Australia.
The pathway:
- Receive your 482 visa and start work
- Work for your sponsor full-time for 2 years in your nominated occupation
- Your employer nominates you for the Subclass 186 TRT
- You lodge the 186 visa application
- Visa granted you become a permanent resident
If your employer is in a designated regional area such as Perth, Adelaide, or regional Victoria — an alternative pathway is the Subclass 494 regional employer-sponsored visa, which leads to the Subclass 191 permanent residency after 3 years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying under the wrong stream. Trades workers, machinery operators, and labourers (ANZSCO Groups 3, 7, and 8) cannot use the Specialist Skills stream regardless of salary. They must apply through the Core Skills stream. Confirm your ANZSCO group before proceeding.
Claiming 2 years of work experience. The current SID 482 requirement is 1 year not 2. Using the old requirement in your application evidence doesn’t cause a problem, but misunderstanding it can lead to unnecessarily delaying your application while gathering excess documentation.
Submitting weak LMT evidence. Labour Market Testing that doesn’t meet the 28-day requirement, uses only one advertising channel, or falls outside the 4-month window will result in nomination refusal. Employers must get this right every time.
Missing the 90-day employment start. You must begin work with your nominating employer within 90 days of entering Australia or your visa grant date (if you were already in Australia). Missing this window is a visa condition breach.
Employer passing the SAF levy to the worker. Illegal. The SAF levy is entirely the employer’s cost. If your employer deducts it from your pay or asks you to reimburse it, report it to the Department of Home Affairs immediately.
Ready to Apply? Contact Abbasi Migration Today
The Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482 involves three employer steps and specific applicant requirements that have changed significantly since December 2024. Getting the stream wrong, submitting the wrong English score, or using outdated work experience requirements can delay or sink an otherwise strong application.
Touseef Abbasi (MARN: 2518930) at Abbasi Migration stays current with every policy change — including the May 2026 updates covered in this guide. Whether you’re a skilled worker whose employer wants to sponsor you, or an employer trying to understand your obligations, Abbasi Migration will guide you through every step accurately.
📍 Melbourne Office: Office 3669, Ground Floor, 470 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
📍 Wollert Office: 11 Farmley Way, Wollert VIC 3750
📞 Phone/WhatsApp: +61 418 841 225
📧 Email: info@abbasimigration.com
FAQs
What replaced the TSS 482 visa?
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa on 7 December 2024. It is still Subclass 482. The old streams and occupation lists were replaced with the Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams, and a new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
How much work experience do I need for the 482 visa?
As at 13 May 2026, the Skills in Demand 482 visa requires at least 1 year of relevant full-time work experience — or equivalent part-time experience — in the nominated occupation or a related field.
What English score do I need for the 482 visa?
For IELTS General Training tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, the minimum score is 5.0 in each component. This is lower than the 6.0 required for employer-sponsored permanent visas like the 186 ENS.
Can I change employers on a 482 visa?
Yes. but only after your new employer’s nomination is approved. You cannot start working for a new employer before their nomination is fully approved. Working for an unapproved employer is a visa condition breach.
Can the 482 visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. After 2 years working for your sponsoring employer in your nominated occupation, you can apply for the Subclass 186 ENS visa through the Temporary Residence Transition stream — which grants immediate permanent residency.
What is the SAF levy for the 482 visa in 2026?
As at 13 May 2026, the SAF levy is AUD $1,200 per year for small businesses (under $10M turnover) and AUD $1,800 per year for larger businesses. For a 4-year visa, the total is AUD $4,800 or AUD $7,200 respectively. The employer pays this — it cannot legally be passed to the visa applicant.
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