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HomeWork and skilled Visas

Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Are you a skilled professional looking to bring your talents to Australia? The Skills in Demand (SID) visa, also known as subclass 482, offers a fantastic opportunity to work for an approved Australian employer for up to four years. This visa is designed to help businesses fill critical labour shortages with skilled individuals from overseas.

If you meet the requirements, this visa can be your ticket to experiencing Australia's high standard of living and excellent working conditions. It also opens up potential pathways for you and your family to apply for permanent residency in the future, allowing you to build a long-term life down under.

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A Quick Update on Australian Skilled Visas

It is important to note a recent change in Australia's migration program. On 7 December 2024, the Skills in Demand (SID) visa officially replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. This update introduced new streams and more flexible pathways to permanent residency for visa holders.

Applications submitted before this date are assessed under the old TSS visa rules. However, any new applications will now be processed according to the new SID visa framework. There are also arrangements in place for situations where an employer's nomination was lodged before the changeover date.

What is the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa?

The subclass 482 visa allows an approved Australian business to sponsor a skilled overseas worker to fill a position where they cannot find a suitable local candidate. It provides a great chance for international workers to gain valuable Australian work experience while helping to address skill gaps in the local economy.

The visa is valid for up to four years and is divided into three distinct streams:

Core Skills Stream: This stream is for applicants whose occupation is featured on the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Specialist Skills Stream: This pathway is designed for highly skilled professionals in most occupations, with some exceptions for roles like trade workers, machinery operators, and labourers. It is aimed at high-earning individuals.
Labour Agreement Stream: This is for employers who have established a specific work agreement with the Department of Home Affairs to source skilled workers from overseas.

Ready to explore your options? Chat with Australian Migration Agents today.

Key Eligibility Criteria for the Subclass 482 Visa

To successfully apply for the Skills in Demand visa, you will need to meet several important requirements. The rules for applications made on or after 7 December 2024 are based on the new SID framework.

As the main applicant, you must satisfy the following criteria:

Have an approved employer who has nominated you for a skilled role.
Hold a valid passport.
Possess at least one year of work experience relevant to your nominated occupation.
Hold the necessary qualifications, licences, or registrations for your role.
Meet the relevant English language proficiency standards.
Satisfy Australia’s health and character requirements.
Maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Provide a positive skills assessment from the designated authority, if required for your occupation.
Sign the Australian values statement.

Salary Thresholds to Note

You must also be offered a salary that meets a minimum threshold, which varies by stream:

Core Skills Stream: A minimum salary of $76,515. For nominations lodged before 1 July 2025, the threshold is $73,150.
Specialist Skills Stream: A minimum salary of $141,210. For nominations lodged before 1 July 2025, the threshold is $135,000.

Understanding 482 Visa Processing Times

The time it takes to process a Skills in Demand visa can range from one to three months, provided the sponsorship and nomination stages are approved smoothly. The overall timeline can be influenced by the complexity of your case, how complete your application is, and the current workload of the Department of Home Affairs.

At Australian Migration Agents, our goal is to help you prepare a high-quality, comprehensive application to minimise potential delays and support a positive outcome.

How Does the 482 Visa Application Work?

The Skills in Demand visa application is a three-part journey that involves both you and your sponsoring employer.

Stage 1: The Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) Application First, your employer must apply to become a standard business sponsor. To be approved, their business must be lawfully operating and demonstrate a commitment to hiring Australian workers first.

Stage 2: The Nomination Next, the employer nominates a specific position within their business to be filled by an overseas worker. Each applicant needs an approved nomination for an occupation on the relevant skilled list.

Stage 3: The Visa Application This final stage is about you. The Department assesses your suitability for the role, looking at your previous work experience, qualifications, English skills, health, and character to ensure you meet all the requirements.

Our team at Australian Migration Agents can provide guidance to both you and your employer, helping you prepare thorough applications for every stage of the process.

Navigating the visa streams can be tricky. For personalised guidance, book a consultation with our friendly registered migration agents at Australian Migration Agents.

What Are the Main Benefits of the 482 Visa?

Holding a Skills in Demand visa comes with many advantages. It allows skilled workers to earn a competitive income in Australia while building their professional experience. For employers, it's a vital tool for addressing labour shortages with talented people from around the world.

Here are some more benefits for visa holders:

Earn a minimum salary of $76,515 plus superannuation.
Enjoy Australia's excellent living and working conditions.
Access a pathway to permanent residency after two years of full-time work for most visa holders.
Benefit from generally efficient visa processing times.
Find new networking and professional growth opportunities.
Travel freely in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.
Study in Australia without restrictions.
Include eligible family members in your application, who will have full work and study rights.

A Helpful Checklist for Your 482 Visa Application

The Skills in Demand visa can have technical requirements, and some occupations may need extra evidence, like a skills assessment. Matching your past work experience to the nominated role is also crucial. Below is a general list of documents you will likely need to provide.

Tip: Organising your documents early can make the application process much smoother. Create a digital folder to keep everything in one place!

Personal Identity: Provide documents like your passport and birth certificate to confirm who you are.
Skills and Work History: Submit evidence of your professional background, such as your resume, qualifications, and references.
Employer Nomination: Your employer must provide details about the job offer, including the contract and salary.
Other Requirements: You will also need to supply documents to meet health, character, and English language requirements.

Discussing protection visa options with clients, focusing on legal aspects of the application.

Your Pathway to Permanent Residency from a 482 Visa

After being granted a SID visa, you will have a direct pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

It may also be possible for you to apply for permanent residency through other skilled visa programs, such as the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa or the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa, if you meet the criteria for those visas.

Securing permanent residency is a major milestone. Eventually, you may even become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, which offers further benefits like:

Access to consular support when travelling overseas.
Visa-free travel to over 100 countries on an Australian passport.
The ability to apply for Australian government jobs.
Freedom from any visa cancellation concerns.

Step 1

Consultation and engagement

Organise a consultation time to speak with one of our agents. You can meet with us in person, via Zoom or telephone. Following this, we will send you paperwork that confirms our engagement to represent you.

Step 2

Preparation and submission

We will prepare written submissions in support of your visa application. This will be based on your individual circumstances, and supported by evidence where appropriate. We then submit your application to the relevant body (Department of Home Affairs, courts or tribunal)

Step 3

Representation and success

We will keep you informed about your application, and notify you of the outcome. If you receive an unfavourable outcome and we can reapply, we will!

Consultant reviewing documents related to protection visa applications with a client.

How Much Does the Skills in Demand Visa Cost?

There are two types of costs involved in a Skills in Demand visa application.

Professional Fees for Migration Assistance

Our professional fees for helping with your application can vary based on your specific circumstances. Some applications are more straightforward than others. We work on a fixed-fee basis, which means we provide you with a clear quote upfront so you know the total cost associated with our support. Book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents to receive a quote.

Department of Home Affairs Fees

The government fees associated with a SID application are as follows:

Sponsorship Application: $420
Nomination Application: $330
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy: This is paid by the employer and ranges from $1,200 to $1,800 per year, depending on the business's turnover.
Visa Application Charge: $3,210 (for each of the three streams).

Partnering with a Registered Migration Agent

Applying for an Australian visa can feel overwhelming. The requirements for the SID visa may seem simple at first glance, but they are often guided by detailed Departmental policies that can change with little notice.

At Australian Migration Agents, we provide valuable guidance to make the process as clear and manageable as possible. Our experienced team of registered migration agents understands the migration regulations and can help you put together a strong application. We can assist with all stages, from the initial employer sponsorship right through to the final visa decision. By working with both you and your sponsor, we ensure the entire application is consistent and of high quality.

Our process is simple:

Consultation: We start by talking with you to understand your situation. We can meet online or by phone, no matter where you are.
Preparation: We will help you gather and prepare all the necessary documents and submissions to support your application.
Submission: We will lodge your application with the Department and keep you updated on its progress.
Communication: We will let you know the outcome of your application and discuss the next steps with you.

Can a 482 visa lead to PR?

Yes, most SID visa holders have a direct pathway to permanent residency (PR) via the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa. Under the new SID visa rules, all holders can apply for PR after two years of working for their sponsor, as long as they meet the criteria. You may also be able to apply for PR through other skilled visa pathways, like the subclass 189 or 190 visas.

Is the 482 visa granted for two years?

The 482 visa can be granted for a period of up to four years. For Hong Kong passport holders, it can be up to five years. While you can apply for another 482 visa when yours expires, most people will be eligible for permanent residency by that time.

What happens if I leave my job on a 482 visa?

If your employment ends, your employer must notify the Department. You will then have 180 days to find a new approved sponsor to nominate you for the same occupation. A key benefit of the new SID visa is that changing employers does not reset the clock for your PR eligibility. The time you worked for your previous sponsor will still count towards the two years of experience required for the 186 visa.

Tip: If your employment situation changes, it is important to seek migration guidance quickly to understand your options within the 180-day timeframe.

Can I do other work while on a 482 visa?

No, subclass 482 visa holders are only permitted to work for their sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation. Working for another employer or in a different role is a breach of your visa conditions and could lead to visa cancellation.

Which occupations are eligible for the SID visa?

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is used for the Core Skills stream. For the Specialist Skills stream, most high-earning professional occupations are eligible, but trades, machinery operators, and labourers are excluded. The Labour Agreement stream depends on the specific agreement made by the employer. You can find a complete list of occupations in the legislative instrument LIN 24/089.

How much does it cost an employer to nominate a worker?

The costs for an employer include a $330 nomination fee. They must also pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which is either $1,200 or $1,800 per year of the visa, depending on whether the business's annual turnover is below or above $10 million.