Skills in Demand visa 482
Employer sponsored work for up to 4 years: Specialist Skills, Core Skills or Labour Agreement stream.
In force
Who it is for
Workers sponsored by an approved employer for up to 4 years. Specialist Skills: most occupations except trades, machinery operators, drivers and labourers, with a salary of at least A$146,576. Core Skills: an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, with a salary of at least A$79,423. Labour Agreement: an occupation covered by the employer's agreement.
Main requirements
- No age limit.
- English test scores unless exempt (for example UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand or Irish passport holders).
- At least 1 year of relevant full-time experience in the last 5 years.
- A skills assessment only where mandatory for your occupation and passport, commenced before you lodge.
- An approved sponsor and nomination, with salary at least the threshold and the market rate, and labour market testing unless exempt.
- Health insurance for the whole stay; health and character; no payment for sponsorship.
Where you apply from
In or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance). In Australia you need a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C.
Streams
- Specialist Skills
- Core Skills
- Labour Agreement
- Subsequent entrant
Your journey, step by step
From the first enquiry to the decision and after, with how a registered migration agent helps at each step. No step promises an outcome.
- Employer enquiry
Role, occupation code, stream, salary and location.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent advises the employer on the right stream and code. - Sponsorship
The employer becomes an approved standard business sponsor (valid 5 years).
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent prepares the sponsorship application. - Labour market testing
Advertising, unless an exemption applies.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent checks testing complies. - Nomination
The employer nominates the position and pays the Skilling Australians Fund levy, which must not be passed on to the worker.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent prepares salary and market rate evidence. - Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed. - Visa application
The worker lodges with English, skills assessment if mandatory, health insurance and documents.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent prepares the worker's application. - Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses. - Decision and working
Work only for the sponsor in the nominated occupation; the employer must meet sponsor obligations.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent trains the employer on obligations. - Pathway to permanent residence
The 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after 2 years of eligible sponsored work, or a skilled visa if eligible.
How a registered migration agent helpsA registered migration agent plans the 186 timing.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
Paid to the Department of Home Affairs, not to us.
| Applicant or item | Charge (A$) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (all streams) | A$4,015 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$4,015 |
| Family member under 18 | A$1,005 |
| Subsequent temporary application charge, in Australia | A$700 |
Employer or sponsor costs
| Standard business sponsorship | A$420 |
|---|---|
| Nomination | A$330 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under A$10 million | A$1,200 a year |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover A$10 million or more | A$1,800 a year |
Check every charge in the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.
Processing times
Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. A guide only, not a promise.
| Specialist Skills | 50% in 37 days, 90% in 78 days |
|---|---|
| Core Skills | 50% in 4 months, 90% in 9 months |
| Labour Agreement | 50% in 5 months, 90% in 9 months |
| Nomination | 50% in 64 days, 90% in 9 months |
Common refusal reasons
- Nomination refused: position not genuine, salary below threshold or market rate, wrong occupation code, defective labour market testing.
- Less than 1 year of experience.
- English below the minimum.
- Mandatory skills assessment not commenced, making the application invalid.
- Sponsor's poor compliance history.
- Paying for sponsorship.
Document checklist
Tick items as you gather them. Your ticks stay on this device only.
- Worker
- Employer
Recent and upcoming changes
- 7 December 2024
The Skills in Demand visa began.
- 1 July 2026
Income thresholds for nominations from 1 July 2026: Core Skills A$79,423, Specialist Skills A$146,576.
- 19 September 2026
A new Ministerial Direction sets the processing order.
Talk it through before you apply.
The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts after a written service agreement.
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules and charges change; check the official sources before you act.