Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): Australia's Primary Employer Sponsored Visa
The Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 is Australia’s main pathway for employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when no suitable Australian is available.
Whether you are a tradesperson, a professional, or a senior specialist — this employer sponsored visa 482 gives you up to 4 years of work rights and a genuine route to permanent residency.
Three streams. One visa. Your pathway to an Australian career.
Quick Overview
Stay
Up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders)
Cost
From AUD 3,210.00
Work Rights
Work for your sponsoring employer in your nominated occupation
Family
Include partner and dependent children
PR Pathway
Subclass 186 after meeting the required work period
Choose the Stream That Matches Your Situation
The Three Streams Choose the stream that matches your situation:
Core Skills Stream
For skilled workers nominated for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The Core Skills stream is the primary route for most employer-sponsored workers in Australia — covering trades, professionals, and technical roles.
Your employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor and conduct Labour Market Testing to demonstrate no suitable Australian was available. This stream replaced what was previously known as the TSS visa Australia medium-term pathway.
You'll need:
- Occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- At least 12 months relevant full-time work experience
- Salary meeting the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and AMSR
- Skills assessment (mandatory for some occupations)
- English language proficiency
- Health and character clearances
Specialist Skills Stream
For senior professionals sponsored at the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
The Specialist Skills stream is salary-based, not list-based. If your nominated salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold and your occupation falls within ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, your employer can sponsor you without being tied to a prescribed occupation list. Designed for senior managers, specialists, and experienced professionals.
You'll need:
- Occupation in ANZSCO Major Group 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6
- Salary meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
- At least 12 months relevant full-time work experience
- English and skills as specified in the agreement
- Under 45 (unless the agreement states otherwise)
- Health and character clearances
- Stay
- Cost
- Processing
- Up to 4 years
- From AUD 3,210.00
- processing guide
Labour Agreement Stream
For skilled workers whose employer holds a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government
Where standard streams cannot address a specific skill shortage, the Government negotiates a formal Labour Agreement with the employer. The Labour Agreement stream allows sponsorship under the unique conditions of that agreement — which may include modified salary thresholds, English language concessions, and occupation-specific terms. Common in aged care, agriculture, hospitality, and fishing.
You'll need:
- Employer with a current, signed Labour Agreement with the Commonwealth
- Occupation listed and covered in the labour agreement
- At least 12 months relevant work experience (unless the agreement states otherwise)
- English proficiency as required by the agreement
- Skills assessment as required under the agreement
- Health and character clearances
Subsequent Entrant
For family members joining a primary 482 or 457 visa holder who were not included in the original application
If your partner or parent holds a Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 — or a Subclass 457 visa — and you were not included in their original application, you can still join them in Australia. You apply separately.
The primary visa holder’s employer must provide a written letter agreeing to extend the nomination to include you — this is mandatory. Your stay is tied to the primary holder’s visa, and the same PR pathway through Subclass 186 applies.
You'll need:
- Be a family member of a primary Subclass 482 or 457 visa holder
- Written letter from the sponsor extending the nomination to cover you
- Valid visa if applying from within Australia
- Relationship evidence
- Health and character clearances
- Adequate health insurance
- Stay
- Cost
- Processing
- Tied to primary visa holder
- From AUD 3,210.00
- processing guide
Ready to Start Your Australian Journey ?
An Australian employer wants to hire you or you need to hire from overseas. Either way, let’s find the right stream and build a strong application.