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Skills in Demand Visa

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

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Subclass 482 Visa Program

Australia's employer-sponsored migration system gives skilled workers a route to temporary employment when an Australian employer cannot fill a skilled position locally. The 482 Visa Australia program is called the Skills in Demand visa and has three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement. Each has different occupation, salary, and employer requirements. The visa can allow eligible workers to stay for up to four years, with a five-year period available to eligible Hong Kong passport holders. In the 2025–26 program year, 14,050 primary 482 visa grants were recorded for professionals by 31 December 2025, representing 40.9% of the program at that point.

Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills stream is designed for occupations listed on Australia's Core Skills Occupation List. Your employer must nominate you for an eligible occupation. You must also meet the relevant skills, and salary requirements.

For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $ 79,423. The nominated worker must also be paid at least the applicable Australian Market Salary Rate where required.

The visa can be granted for up to four years. Eligible Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may receive a stay of up to five years.

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.

Specialist Skills Stream

The Specialist Skills stream works differently. It is designed for highly paid skilled workers whose occupations fall within specified ANZSCO major groups. Home Affairs states that eligible occupations must be in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, subject to the stream's requirements.

For nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD $146,576. You still need relevant skills and at least one year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream applies where the employer has an approved Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. A Labour Agreement can set specific terms for the employer's access to overseas skilled workers. These terms can affect occupations, and other visa criteria.

The visa can be granted for up to four years, depending on the terms of the agreement. Eligible Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may stay for up to five years.

This stream is particularly relevant to occupations and industries covered by approved labour agreements. The important point is that you cannot simply choose this stream yourself. The employer must have the appropriate agreement in place.

Types of Labour Agreements

There are five types of Industry 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

Industry Labour Agreements

As at July 2026, there are a selection of different Industry labour agreements, with a specific industry with fixed terms and conditions:

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

English Requirements

English rules depend on the stream and the applicant. For the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, applicants generally need to meet a minimum English standard unless an exemption applies.

For example, Home Affairs currently lists a PTE Academic overall score of at least 36, with at least 36 in each component, for applicants using that test. Other approved tests have their own score requirements.

Online versions of certain English tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes. Home Affairs specifically states that tests delivered entirely online or at home are not accepted.

Exemptions can apply in situations such as holding a passport from certain English-speaking countries, completing qualifying English-language study, or meeting specified occupation or employment conditions.

Labour Market Testing

Employer sponsorship is a central part of the process. Before you apply for the visa, the proposed employer generally needs to nominate the position and the worker. The employer must meet sponsorship requirements and demonstrate that the position is genuine and meets the relevant rules. For most Core Skills and Specialist Skills nominations, labour market testing is also required.

Home Affairs states that, in most cases, the position must have been advertised for at least four weeks within the four months before the nomination is lodged. The employer must provide copies of the relevant advertising material.

This requirement is important because the employer is expected to show that it has tested the Australian labour market before sponsoring an overseas worker. Some exemptions and different rules apply in specific situations.

Standard Business Sponsorship

Eligibility To be a Sponsor

To become a Standard Business Sponsor and to employ Applicants under the Skills in Demand 482 Visa, 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. 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. 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.

Processing Order

As at 17 September 2026, and according to Ministerial Direction 121, Skills in Demand 482 Visas will generally be processed in the following Order:

  • Priority Group 1 - Occupations within a Deognated Priority sector.
  • Priority Group 2 - Specialist Skills Stream applications, which meet the Income threshold.
  • Priority Group 3 - All other Onshore occupations.
  • Priority Group 4 - Offshore applications, where no dependent family mebers are included.
  • Priority Group 5 - All remaining Subclass 482 applications.

Permanent residence

A temporary 482 visa does not automatically give you permanent residence. However, an important pathway can be the Employer Nomination Scheme, subclass 186.

The Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186 visa allows eligible skilled workers to move from sponsored temporary employment to permanent residence through employer nomination.

The Department of Home Affairs currently states that applicants generally need to hold a subclass 457, 482, or eligible bridging visa and usually have worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least two years full time while holding a 457 or 482 visa. An approved employer nomination is also required.

The 186 visa is permanent. Successful applicants can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely and may later apply for citizenship if they meet the separate citizenship requirements.

This makes employer sponsorship an important part of the longer-term planning for some temporary skilled workers. But, permanent residence remains a separate visa application with its own criteria.

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 Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. In addition, our Australian qualified Lawyers can advise clients worldwide, with a fast and efficient 482 Visa 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!

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in Australia on a 482 visa?

A Skills in Demand visa can generally allow you to stay for up to four years. Eligible Hong Kong passport holders may be able to stay for up to five years. The exact period depends on the relevant stream and nomination.

How much work experience is required for a 482 visa?

For the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, you generally need at least one year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field. The experience must meet the Department's rules on relevance and equivalent full-time employment.

Can a 482 visa lead to permanent residence?

It can provide a pathway for eligible workers, but permanent residence is not automatic. One possible route is the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream. Eligible applicants generally need at least two years of qualifying sponsored employment while holding a 457 or 482 visa, along with the other 186 requirements.

What is the 482 visa salary requirement in 2026?

For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576. The Australian Market Salary Rate rules also apply. So, meeting the threshold alone does not necessarily settle the salary requirement.

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.

How many years do I need to work on a 482 Visa before I can apply for Permanent residence?

Usually, you must have worked in an eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years full time while holding a Skills in Demand 482 visa, before applying for the Employer Nomination Scheme, Subclass 186 visa.

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

As at July 2026, the processing time for the Standard Business Sponsor application is from 12 days to 67 days. Source: Department of Home Affairs - Visa Processing Times Guide

What is the Processing time for the Nomination application?

As at July 2026, the processing time for the Nomination application is from 17 days to 9 months.

What is the Processing time for the 482 Visa application?

As at July 2026, the processing time for the 482 Visa application, with Core Skills is 83 days to 10 months, but with Specialist skills, the processing time is 10 days to 57 days.

How do I get an exemption from the English language requirement?

You can get an exemption if you have a Passport from:

  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • the Republic of Ireland
  • the United Kingdom
  • the United States of America

Alternatively, you have completed at least 5 years of full-time study at a secondary level institution and where most classes were in the English language. 

For the Core Skills and Specialist Skills Skills streams, what is the IELTS English score that is required?

  • Listening: 5.0
  • Reading: 5.0
  • Writing: 5.0
  • Speaking: 5.0