482 Visa Complete Guide: Costs, Processing Times & Requirements 2026
Government visa charges on this page were updated on 10 November 2026 to the amounts in force for applications lodged from 1 July 2026. Confirm current charges with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.
What Is the 482 Visa?
The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers to fill genuine skill shortages. It replaced the old 457 visa in March 2018 and is now the most common employer-sponsored temporary visa in Australia.
Two Main Streams
Short-Term Stream
- Duration: Up to 2 years (4 years for specific countries)
- Occupation must be on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- No direct pathway to permanent residency
- Renewable once onshore
Medium-Term Stream
- Duration: Up to 4 years
- Occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Pathway to permanent residency via 186 visa after 2 years
- Can be renewed without limit
Eligibility Requirements
For the Employer
- Must be an approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsor)
- Must demonstrate a genuine need for the role
- Must have conducted Labour Market Testing
- Must pay at least the TSMIT ($73,150/year) or the annual market salary rate — whichever is higher
For the Worker
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation
- Skills assessment (required for some occupations)
- English language: IELTS 5.0 overall, minimum 4.5 each band (or equivalent)
- Health and character requirements
- Under 45 years old (some exemptions apply)
Costs
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship application | $420 |
| Nomination application | $330 |
| Visa application (main applicant) | $4,015 |
| Visa application (partner) | $4,015 |
| Visa application (child under 18) | $1,005 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy | $1,200/year (small business) or $1,800/year (turnover >$10M) |
Processing Times
As of early 2026, processing times are approximately:
- Sponsorship approval: 1-3 months
- Nomination: 1-4 months
- Visa application: 2-6 months (varies by occupation and country)
Total timeline from start to finish: typically 4-12 months.
Get Started
Whether you are an employer looking to sponsor or a worker seeking sponsorship, SponsorTalent can help. Book a consultation with our registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) to discuss your specific situation.
Looking for visa sponsorship in Australia?
Create a free candidate profile and upload your CV so the employers and migration agents who search SponsorTalent can find you — across childcare, aged care, healthcare, trades and more. Free to join; your details stay private until you connect.
Create your free profile & upload your CV →Are you an employer? List a role to hire sponsored workers
The visa side is a separate process
Reading up before you apply? Sponsorship approval, the nomination and the 482 (or 494 / 186) visa are lodged separately from finding the job. Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536, verifiable on the OMARA register), can settle your pathway in one appointment.
Book your appointment →With Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536). 30 minutes $330 inc. GST, or the extended hour $550, credited in full if you engage. SponsorTalent is a marketplace and does not give migration advice.