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Skills in Demand Visa

→ Australian Visa and Immigration Advice → SKILLS IN DEMAND - 482 VISA

Table of Contents

SID - Three Streams

The Skills in Demand visa has three streams:

  • Core Skills stream
  • Specialist Skills stream
  • Labour Agreement stream

Core Skills Stream

To be eligible for the Core Skills stream, Applicants can apply offshore or onshore, holding a substantive visa or Bridging visa A, B or C. See the eligibility criteria for the Core Skills stream below:

  • Standard Business Sponsor - Your sponsoring Australian Employer must already be a Standard Business sponsor or apply to become a new Standard Business Sponsor.
  • Nomination - You must be Nominated by a Standard Business Sponsor.
  • Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) - Your Employer must have Nominated you to work in an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List.
  • Work for Nominating Employer - You must work only for your Employer in your Nominated occupation.
  • 1 Year's Work Experience in Occupation - You must have at least 1 Year's work experience in your Nominated occupation or a related occupation.
  • Positive Skills Assessment - A Skills Assessment of your occupation must be done before your visa application is submitted, by a Skills Assessment Authority, such as Vetassess or Trades Recognition Australia.
  • Age - there is no Age requirement for the 482 Visa.
  • Health and Character - Applicants must hold Health Insurance, meet Health and Character requirements and not had a Visa cancelled or refused previously.
  • English Ability - If you are not a native English speaker from the UK, USA, NZ, you sut sit an English Test. For the IELTS Test, you will need an overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each of the test components.

The Core Skills Stream allows Applicants to stay and work in Australia for up to 4 years, but Hong Kong Applicants may stay and work for up to 5 years.

Specialist Skills Stream

The requirements for the Specialist Skills stream are the same as the Core Skills stream listed above, except that:

  • You must be nominated to work in an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) occupation listed in Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6, with a salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.

Labour Agreement Stream

The requirements for the Labour Agreement stream are the same as the Core Skills stream listed above, except that:

  • The Labour Agreement stream is meant for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement. It allows you to live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Employers.

There are five types of labour agreements:

  1. 1. Company Specific labour agreements
  2. 2. Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
  3. 3. Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
  4. 4. Industry labour agreements
  5. 5. Project agreements

As at September 2025, there are currently ten industry agreements in place:

  • Advertising
  • Aged care
  • Dairy
  • Fishing
  • Horticulture
  • Meat
  • Minister of Religion
  • On-hire
  • Pork
  • Restaurant (premium dining)

Standard Business Sponsorship

Eligibility To be a Sponsor

To become a Standard Business Sponsor, your business must:

  • Be legally established and currently operating
  • Be located either in Australia or overseas
  • Meet sponsorship suitability requirements

Sponsorship Suitability

To qualify as a sponsor:

  • There must be no adverse information known about your business or any associated person that may affect your suitability as a sponsor
  • If adverse information exists, it must be considered reasonable to disregard it

Additional Requirements for Australian Businesses

Businesses operating in Australia must also:

  • Demonstrate a strong record of, or commitment to, employing local workers
  • Declare that they will not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices

Sponsor Overseas Workers

Approved sponsors can nominate workers for the following visa programs:

  • Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)

Sponsorship Duration

Standard Business Sponsorship approval is valid for:

  • 5 years from the date of approval

Nomination

1. Employer must be a Sponsor

To nominate a worker for a sponsored visa, employers must be a Standard Business Sponsor.

2. Nominate an Eligible Occupation

The nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Some occupations may have specific restrictions or caveats that affect eligibility.

3. Demonstrate Labour Market Testing

  • Show that you were unable to find a suitably qualified Australian citizen or permanent resident to fill the position.
  • Labour Market Testing is required to demonstrate genuine recruitment efforts.

4. Offer Market Salary Rates

If the nominee will earn less than AUD $250,000 per year, you must demonstrate that the salary offered meets or exceeds the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the role.

5. Provide a Genuine Full-Time Position

The nominated position must:

  • Be genuine and consistent with your business operations
  • Match the duties and skill level of the nominated occupation
  • Not be created solely to assist with migration outcomes
  • Be full-time, generally between 38 hours per week, or within approved industry standards

6. Provide a Written Employment Contract

The nominee must generally be employed under a written contract.

  • Australian sponsors: the nominee can work for your business or an associated entity\
  • Overseas sponsors: the nominee can work only for your business in Australia

7. Maintain Fair and Non-Discriminatory Practices

Sponsors must:

  • Not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices
  • Provide employment conditions equal to those of Australian workers performing equivalent work
  • Comply with all workplace and sponsorship obligations

8. No Adverse Information

There must be no adverse information relating to your business or associated persons, unless it is considered reasonable to disregard it.

Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holders

Skills in Demand Visa - Subclass 482 Visa - Hong Kong or BNO Passport holders are eligible for a 5 year Skills in Demand, 482 visa and a pathway to Australian Permanent residence, if they have qualifications listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or Specialist Skills Occupation List (SSOL) and meet Labour Market Testing requirements.  

Assistance for Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holders

Migration Agents Advice - 482 Visa

Our Migration Agents at VisaConnect can assist and advise you with the Skills in Demand, Subclass 482 Visa for temporary work in Australia. Our Registered Migration Agents are experienced and ethical. We can assist clients in our offices in Sydney, Australia and Singapore, Hong Kong and London, UK. In addition, our Australian qualified Lawyers can advise clients worldwide, with a fast and efficient Consultation by telephone, where they advise you about:

  • Skills in Demand Visa assessment
  • Overview about the Work Sponsored visa process
  • Migration Skills Assessment application help and guidance
  • Documentation advice and preparation including: Qualification certificates, Work references and Identification
  • State or Territory Skilled Nomination application completion
  • Advice regarding most suitable Stream to apply for
  • Assistance with Nomination of an Employee application
  • Genuine Position submission
  • Advice regarding Labour Marketing Testing requirements
  • Advice regarding TMSIT and AMSR Salary for the position
  • Advice regarding how to sit an English language test and required score
  • Expression of Interest and Visa Application form completion
  • Assistance in paying the Skilling Australia Fund levy for training of Australian apprentices and trainees
  • Character certificate applications
  • Medical examination and Chest x ray referral letter
  • Visa Processing time guidance
  • Information about the Government Visa Application fee and Migration Agent / Lawyers fees for complete visa application assistance

In 2026, contact VisaConnect's Australian Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents for complete advice and assistance with your Skills in Demand, 482 Work visa application!

Company Registration Australia

Get advice and assistance from our Business Consultants for your Company Registration in Australia, including:

  • Picking the Right Business Structure - Guidance on choosing between sole trader, partnership, or company.
  • Business Registration Essentials - Key considerations including ABNs, GST, and other important tax registrations.
  • Company Secretary Support - Preparation of the company’s Annual Solvency Resolution and company's annual ASIC Review Statement, as well as change of Directors.
  • Registered Australian Address - Set up of an Australian Registered Address for Tax and ASIC compliance.
  • Avoid Common Mistakes - Learn the pitfalls that can cost time and money for new business owners.
  • Question and Advice - Get expert answers to all your company registration questions.

Local Nominee Director

ASIC's regulations state that every company registered in Australia must have at least one local resident Director appointed at all times. Note that a local resident director must:

  • Be over 18 years old and not be bankrupt
  • Have an Australian Director ID
  • Have evidence of an Australian residential address

Our partner Company Agency service provides a local Resident Director, so that clients satisfy the ASIC requirement. The Nominee Director role is non-executive and the company must also appoint at least one or more executive directors to the company (can be based overseas) who will be making the decisions for the company.

Tax and Accounting

Contact our partner Accountants and Tax Consultants for Australian Tax and Accounting advice and assistance, including:

  • Tax Compliance Basics - Overview of critical ASIC and GST deadlines and tips to ensure your company stays compliant.
  • Key Reporting Deadlines - Know what to file Tax returns, and when to stay compliant.
  • Common Mistakes to Avoid - Learn the frequent errors small business owners make and how to prevent them.
  • Tax Optimization Tips - Maximise deductions and minimise liabilities at EOFY.
  • Understand Penalties - Be aware of the consequences of non-compliance and how to avoid penalties.
  • Advice and Questions - Receive expert advice on your tax compliance questions.

Trust Registration

Our Financial Consultants can assist and advise clients regarding Australian Trust registration and compliance for Discretionary/Family and Unit trusts, including:

  • Trust Deed
  • Stamping
  • Settlement Fund
  • All Merchant Fees
  • Trust Annual Compliance - If a trust has an ABN, then each financial year, the trust may need to hold a trust distribution election and lodge a trust tax return. If the trust is trading then bookkeeping, & BAS filing may also be required.

Property Purchase in Australia

Our Consultants can assist with the introduction to high quality and reputable Australian Properties, in Sydney NSW, Melbourne Victoria and Brisbane QLD for purchase for your own use or for Investment purposes. 

We arrange an Introductory call or video call with an Adviser and arrange a Viewing of the Property and provide detailed Brochures, Floorplans, details of Availability, Prices and Maps.

VisaConnect Australia Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Sydney, Australia office below:

Suite 19, 103 George Street
Parramatta
NSW 2150
AUSTRALIA

Telephone: (+61) 2 9151 7350

VisaConnect London, UK - Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our London, UK office below:

71-75 Shelton Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9JQ
United Kingdom

Telephone: (+44) 20 3807 8879        

VisaConnect Hong Kong Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Hong Kong office below:

21st Floor, CMA Building
64 Connaught Road Central
HONG KONG

Telephone: (+852) 3840 9107

VisaConnect Singapore Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Singapore office below:

7 Temasek Boulevard
No. 12-07 Suntec Tower One,
SINGAPORE, 038987

Telephone: (+65) 3105 1536

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a Sponsor, as an Overseas Business?

Yes, you can be an Overseas or Australian Business to apply to become a Standard Business Sponsor.

What are the requirements for a Business to become a Standard Business Sponsor?

You must have a legally established Business, such as a Registered Company in Australia or Overseas. Also, the Company must actually be operating and trading, and you will therefore need to provide evidence of doing business, which can include Tax returns, Accountants Statements, Invoices to clients etc.

Does every Sponsoring Business need to pay the Skilling Australian Fund Levy?

Yes, all Sponsoring businesses must pay the Skilling Australians Fund Levy for each foeign employee that is Nominated for a position, and annually.

What is the amount payable for the Skilling Australians Fund Levy (SAF)?

The Levy payable depends on the Sponsoring company's Annual Turnover. If the Turnover is under $10 Million AUD, then the SAF Levy payable, each year, is $1,200 AUD. If, the Turunover is over $10 Million AUD, then the SAF Levy payable, each year, is $1,800 AUD.

What is the Processing time for the Standard Business Sponsor application?

As at February 2026, the processing time for the Standard Business Sponsor application is 4 to 5 months.

What is the Processing time for the Nomination application?

As at February 2026, the processing time for the Nomination application is 4 to 7 months.

What is the Processing time for the 482 Visa application?

As at February 2026, the processing time for the 482 Visa application, with Core Skills is 4 to 7 months, but with Specialist skills, the processing time is 11 days to 53 days..