Australia's primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa. The Skills in Demand (SID) framework replaced the previous Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) framework.
The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers when they cannot find suitably qualified Australian workers to fill positions. It is the cornerstone of Australia's employer-sponsored migration program for temporary skilled work.
The Skills in Demand framework {{VERIFY date: SID replaced TSS on or around late 2024}} replaced the previous Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) arrangements. The subclass number remains 482, but the streams, occupation list and income thresholds were redesigned. Earlier guidance, blog posts and forms referring to "TSS", "Short-term stream", "Medium-term stream", "TSMIT", "STSOL", "MLTSSL" or "ROL" reflect the previous framework and should not be relied on for new applications.
The 482 visa remains a two-stage process: the employer must first be an approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsor), and then nominates a specific position. Once the nomination is approved, the worker lodges the visa application.
Visa type: Temporary work visa • Streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement • Duration: {{VERIFY: visa duration per stream}} • Work rights: Skilled work for the sponsoring employer • Family: Eligible family members may be included • PR pathway: Available via the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
Under the Skills in Demand framework, the Subclass 482 visa has the following streams (each has its own page on the Department of Home Affairs website):
The Core Skills stream covers occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) ({{VERIFY occupation list name — see DHA Skilled occupation list page}}). It requires the nominated position to be paid at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). Visa duration: {{VERIFY: Core Skills visa duration}}. PR pathway: {{VERIFY: 186 TRT eligibility under Core Skills}}.
The Specialist Skills stream is for high-skill specialist roles where the nominated position is paid at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) ({{VERIFY: SSIT eligibility rules — including any occupation exclusions}}). Visa duration: {{VERIFY: Specialist Skills visa duration}}. Processing target: {{VERIFY: Specialist Skills processing target / days}}.
The Labour Agreement stream is available when an employer has a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government. These agreements are negotiated when standard arrangements do not adequately address an employer's labour needs — for example, where the required occupation is not on the standard list or where concessions are needed. Labour agreements can be company-specific, industry-wide, or Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). The terms of sponsorship, including visa duration and conditions, are set out in the individual agreement.
The previous Short-term and Medium-term streams have been replaced. If you are looking at older guidance, blog posts or templates that refer to "Short-term", "Medium-term", "STSOL", "MLTSSL" or "ROL", that content reflects the pre-Skills in Demand framework and does not apply to current applications.
| Feature | Core Skills | Specialist Skills | Labour Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Duration | {{VERIFY}} | {{VERIFY}} | As per agreement |
| Occupation list | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) {{VERIFY list name}} | {{VERIFY: occupation rules / exclusions}} | Per agreement |
| Income threshold | CSIT {{VERIFY: $ current}} | SSIT {{VERIFY: $ current}} | Per agreement |
| PR pathway (186 TRT) | {{VERIFY: TRT eligibility}} | {{VERIFY: TRT eligibility}} | Per agreement |
| Skills Assessment | {{VERIFY}} | {{VERIFY}} | Per agreement |
Before an employer can sponsor a worker on a 482 visa, they must meet several requirements. The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether the business is lawfully operating, financially viable, and has a genuine need for the overseas worker.
The employer must first become an approved Standard Business Sponsor. This involves demonstrating that the business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia, has a strong record of compliance with Australian immigration and workplace laws, and can meet its sponsorship obligations.
Once approved as a sponsor, the employer must nominate a position. Key requirements include:
Labour market testing requirements are strictly enforced. Advertisements must be genuine, appropriately targeted, and placed on platforms likely to attract Australian applicants. The Department may refuse a nomination if LMT is found to be inadequate or not genuinely aimed at recruiting Australians.
The overseas worker (visa applicant) must also meet specific requirements to be granted a 482 visa:
Under the Skills in Demand framework, the Core Skills stream draws on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) ({{VERIFY occupation list name — confirm on DHA Skilled occupation list page}}). This replaced the previous STSOL, MLTSSL and ROL arrangements used under the TSS framework.
The Specialist Skills stream operates on income threshold + occupation rules rather than the same CSOL framework — {{VERIFY: current Specialist Skills occupation rules / any excluded occupations}}.
Labour Agreement nominations rely on the occupation scope set out in the relevant labour agreement.
Skilled occupation list contents change. Confirm your specific occupation against the live list on the Department of Home Affairs Skilled occupation list page before relying on eligibility.
Under the Skills in Demand framework, the previous Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) used for the 482 visa was replaced by stream-specific income thresholds:
In addition to meeting the applicable threshold, the salary offered must be at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the occupation in the relevant location — what an equivalent Australian worker would be paid in the same role, at the same location, with the same skills and experience.
The salary must be paid in monetary terms. Non-monetary benefits (e.g. accommodation, vehicle) generally cannot be counted toward the income threshold. Treatment of guaranteed annual bonuses, allowances and superannuation: {{VERIFY: current rules on what counts toward CSIT/SSIT}}.
The Department of Home Affairs indexes skilled visa income thresholds annually. Both the CSIT and SSIT are scheduled to change on 1 July 2026. Confirm the exact figures against the DHA salary requirements page and the indexation announcement before relying on any figure at or after 1 July 2026.
The 482 visa application is a three-stage process. Each stage must be approved before the next can proceed.
If the employer is not already an approved sponsor, they must first lodge a Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) application. This involves providing business registration documents, financial statements, evidence of lawful operation, and an outline of the business's training commitment. The SBS approval is valid for five years.
Once approved as a sponsor, the employer nominates the specific position. This requires:
After the nomination is lodged (or approved), the worker can lodge their visa application. This requires:
Processing times for 482 applications vary by stream, application completeness, and current Department workload. Specific stream targets (including any priority processing for Specialist Skills, and any UDPE-related changes): {{VERIFY: current published processing-time ranges and any priority targets on DHA — including UDPE if it applies}}.
Processing-time targets are reviewed periodically. Confirm current figures on the DHA Visa processing times page before relying on them.
Several fees are involved in the 482 process, paid at different stages by different parties. Specific current amounts: {{VERIFY: all current DHA fees on the Skills in Demand 482 cost page}}.
Confirm all current amounts on the DHA Skills in Demand 482 page — fees and levies are subject to change.
The 482 visa comes with mandatory visa conditions, including (but not limited to) {{VERIFY: current condition numbers and wording — e.g. 8607, 8501, 8303}}. Confirm the exact condition wording on the DHA Skills in Demand 482 page and the related conditions pages.
The rules on how long a 482 holder has to find a new sponsor (or leave Australia) after their employment ends have changed under the Skills in Demand framework. The current rule covers both a maximum consecutive period per cessation event and a cumulative cap over the life of the visa: {{VERIFY: current consecutive limit per event and cumulative cap over the visa — see DHA "change in situation" page for 482}}. Earlier guidance referring to "60 consecutive days" reflects the previous rule and does not apply.
The 60-consecutive-day rule that applied previously is no longer the current position. If you are advising a client, confirm the exact current consecutive and cumulative limits on the DHA Skills in Demand — change in situation page.
The Subclass 482 visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme — specifically the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.
Current TRT eligibility (visa-holding period, employment-with-sponsor period, age, English, skills): {{VERIFY: current 186 TRT eligibility under Skills in Demand — including the visa-holding period (previously 3 years; verify current setting), the work-with-sponsor period, age limit and exemptions}}.
The TRT visa-holding period requirement has been the subject of recent change. Confirm the current period against the DHA 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream page before relying on it.
Yes, but your new employer must become an approved sponsor, nominate you for the position, and you must lodge a new 482 visa application. You cannot simply move to a new employer without going through the full sponsorship process again.
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children under 18 can be included in your visa application. They will receive full work and study rights in Australia.
Skills-assessment requirements differ by stream and occupation under the Skills in Demand framework: {{VERIFY: current skills-assessment rules per stream}}. A registered migration agent can advise based on your specific circumstances.
The 482 visa allows the holder a period to find a new sponsor (or otherwise regularise their status) after employment ends. The current rule is structured as a maximum consecutive period per cessation event and a cumulative cap over the visa: {{VERIFY: current consecutive and cumulative limits on the DHA "change in situation" page}}. Earlier "60-day" advice is out of date.
The 482 visa can generally be lodged both onshore (while in Australia on another valid visa) and offshore (from outside Australia), subject to stream-specific rules: {{VERIFY: any current onshore / offshore restrictions per stream}}.
The 482 visa generally requires full-time employment with the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation. Specific minimum hours and any exceptions (e.g. labour-agreement concessions): {{VERIFY: current full-time / hours rule under Skills in Demand}}.
Navigating the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand process can be complex. Book a consultation with our registered migration agent for advice tailored to your situation.
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