482 Visa
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa – Subclass 482, allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers when they can’t find suitable local talent.
This visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024 and is now the main employer-sponsored TMC for skilled workers looking to work in Australia.
What is the 482 Visa (Skills in Demand)?
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas when they are unable to find suitable local talent.
This visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024 and is now the main employer-sponsored visa TMC for businesses looking to fill critical skill gaps in Australia.
Under this visa, approved employers can nominate overseas workers for specific roles, allowing them to work in Australia for a temporary period, with potential TMC to permanent residency depending on eligibility.
Occupations Eligible for the 482 Visa
- Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) replaced the previous TSS occupation list. 2 other streams are Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.
- Eligibility will depend on whether your occupation is on the relevant list, the visa stream you are applying under, and the requirements set by your sponsoring employer.
Here are the 4 steps employers and employees have to go through during the application process.
Application Process for 482 Visa
Standard Business Sponsorship
Employer applies to be a sponsor.
Labour Market Testing
The Employer must complete at least 4 weeks of labour market testing.
Nomination
The Employer nominates employee
Apply for Visa
The Employer nominates employee
Employer Eligibility
An employer is typically eligible to nominate an employee if it:
- Is an approved Standard Business Sponsor
- Have a genuine position available that aligns with the business needs
- Conduct Labour Market Testing (LMT) to show that no suitable Australian worker is available
- The salary offered must meet both the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and the market salary rate for the position, with the current threshold set at $76,515 per year and expected to increase to approximately $79,499 from 1 July 2026.
Labour Market Testing must have been undertaken:
- For at least 28 days
- Within 4 months before lodging the nomination
Employee Eligibility
In general, you may be eligible for the 482 visa if you:
- Are nominated by an approved Australian employer for a relevant occupation
- Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field
- Have the skills and qualifications required to perform the role
- Meet the English language requirements
- Hold adequate health insurance
- Meet standard health and character requirements
Depending on your occupation, you may also need to complete a skills assessment as part of your application.
Occupation Eligibility
To be eligible for the 482 visa, your nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
This list replaced the previous occupation lists used under the TSS visa and is now the main reference for employer-sponsored visa eligibility in Australia.
The CSOL is regularly updated based on Australia’s workforce needs and includes a wide range of occupations across industries such as healthcare, construction, IT, and trades.
Employer Submits Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) Application
Before an employer can sponsor a worker under the 482 visa, they must first be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS).
To be approved, the business must:
- Be lawfully operating and actively trading
- Have no adverse information regarding the business
- Show a genuine commitment to hiring and training local workers
- Follow fair and non-discriminatory recruitment practices
- Be able to meet ongoing sponsorship obligations, including salary and workplace compliance
Processing Time
Processing times can vary depending on the application and supporting documents submitted.
Employer Conducts Labour Market Testing
Before sponsoring a worker, the employer must complete Labour Market Testing (LMT) to demonstrate that no suitably qualified Australian worker is available for the role.
Labour Market Testing Requirements
Employers must:
- Advertise the position in at least 2 places
- Ensure the ads run for at least 28 consecutive days
- Conduct the advertising within 4 months before lodging the nomination
- Use platforms with national reach (such as SEEK, Indeed, Workforce Australia, or relevant industry job boards)
- Publish ads in English
Each advertisement must include:
- Job title and description
- Required skills and experience
- Employer name
- Salary (or salary range, if applicable)
Note: LMT must be conducted correctly, as non-compliance is a common reason for refusal. Some exemptions to Labour Market Testing may apply depending on the situation.
Approved Employer Nominates Employee
Once a business is approved as a Standard Business Sponsor, they can submit a nomination application to sponsor a worker for a specific role.
To successfully nominate a position, the employer must demonstrate that:
- The occupation is eligible under the relevant 482 visa stream
- There is a genuine need for the position within the business
- Labour Market Testing (LMT) has been completed
- The role is full-time and aligns with the business operations
- The salary meets both the market salary rate and the minimum threshold set by the Australian Government
Processing Time
Processing times can vary depending on the application and supporting documents.
Employee Applies for the Visa
Once the employer’s nomination is approved, the employee can apply for the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482).
To be eligible for the visa, the applicant must:
- Have the skills and qualifications required for the nominated position
- Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a closely related field (completed within the last 5 years)
- Meet the English language requirements
- Meet health and character requirements
- Hold appropriate health insurance for the duration of the visa
Depending on the occupation, a skills assessment may also be required.
Processing Time
Processing times can vary depending on the application, visa stream, and supporting documents.
Download 482 Visa Guide
Subclass 482 Visa (Skills in Demand) Guide
If you’re interested in the application process, associated fees, and eligibility requirements for the 482 Visa, simply click the download button and fill in your contact details below. Once completed, you’ll be able to download a detailed guide directly from the website.
To be eligible for the Skills in Demand Subclass 482 Visa, you must be qualified for and nominated to work in an occupation that is included on one of the occupations lists (CSOL) at the time the application is made. Note that visa requirements and eligibility may change over time. This information is general in nature and does not guarantee visa outcomes. Each application is assessed based on individual circumstances.
482 Visa Streams
Your occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
You must have at least 1 year of relevant work experience
You must be nominated by an approved sponsoring employer
You must meet English, health, and character requirements
Up to 4 years, depending on the nomination.
Visa application fee (applicant): from approximately $3,210 AUD
Employer costs may include:
$420 AUD Sponsorship Application; and
$330 AUD Nomination fee; and
Skilling Australians Fund Levy
Must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
Must have a genuine full-time position
Must complete Labour Market Testing (LMT)
Must offer a salary that meets both:
Market salary rate (AMSR)
Minimum salary threshold (TSMIT). The current threshold is $76,515 per year, increasing to approximately $79,499 from 1 July 2026.
May be available through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), depending on eligibility.
Eligibility for permanent residency is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account:
Occupation
Length of employment
Employer sponsorship
Legislative requirements at the time of application
It is important to structure the initial 482 application with long-term outcomes in mind.
Applicants may include members of their family unit in the visa application, including:
Spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children
Each applicant must meet relevant health and character requirements.
Processing times vary depending on:
The visa stream
Completeness of the application
Departmental priorities
The Department of Home Affairs publishes indicative processing times, which may change
periodically.
A well-prepared application can assist in avoiding unnecessary delays.
Role must meet a higher salary threshold set by the Australian Government. Find out more here.
Must be nominated by an approved employer
Must meet standard visa requirements (skills, English, health, character)
Up to four years
Designed to attract top global talent in specialised industries
Your employer decides to sponsor you for either the:
Applicants may include members of their family unit in the visa application, including:
Spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children
Each applicant must meet relevant health and character requirements.
Specialist Skills Stream
Labour Agreement Stream
Must be nominated under an approved Labour Agreement
Requirements may vary depending on the agreement
Aged care
Hospitality
Construction
Agriculture
May offer more flexible requirements for occupations, salary, or experience,
Your employer decides to sponsor you for either the:
Applicants may include members of their family unit in the visa application, including:
Spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children
Each applicant must meet relevant health and character requirements.
Find out what commonly goes wrong with employer sponsored subclass 482 applications, what the Skills in Demand visa rules mean for you, and how a TMC Migration Consultants (TMC) registered migration agent can help you plan clear next steps.
Risks, Key Considerations & How We Help
Book a Consultation
Get the most up-to-date information from a registered migration agent.
Common Risks and Refusal Issues
Early identification and management of these risks is critical.
- Incorrect ANZSCO occupation selection
- Poor alignment between job duties and occupation
- Inadequate Labour Market Testing
- Salary not meeting TSMIT or market rate
- Insufficient evidence of work experience
Key Considerations
A strategic approach to the application can significantly impact both approval and long-term migration outcomes.
- The SID visa has replaced the former TSS visa
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience is generally required
- Labour Market Testing must meet 28-day requirements
- Salary must meet both TSMIT and market rate
- Permanent residency TMC should be considered from the outset.
Our Approach
We provide end-to-end support for SID subclass 482 applications, including:
- Eligibility assessment for both employer and applicant
- ANZSCO occupation alignment and advice
- Labour Market Testing guidance
- Preparation of SBS, nomination, and visa applications.
- Ongoing strategy planning for permanent residency
What are your next steps?
If you are considering sponsorship or applying for a subclass 482 visa, it is important to obtain advice early.
A structured assessment will determine:
- Eligibility under the SID framework
- The most appropriate visa stream
- Risks and documentation requirements
- Long-term TMC options
If you’re having any trouble booking your consultation then don’t hesitate to contact us either via info@tmc.com or by calling us +6168877212
People and Culture Manager
Razanne Rabba Grow Early Childhood Education
I would TMC Migration Consultants (TMC) to any business that needs assistance.
Immigration sponsorship is so much more complex than I thought initially. From the very beginning, TMC Migration Consultants (TMC) has broken down the steps needed to undertake and the documents required. They work directly with the applicant as well to ensure that they their documents are correct too. Only once the application is complete will they then look to lodge the applications and liaise with immigration throughout the process.
Nick and the team are always a pleasure to work with. Finding childcare staff is such a struggle, however being able to offer sponsorship to our employees has meant that we have been able to retain and attract staff, which has been crucial to our business, especially in regional areas.
TMC Migration Consultants (TMC) has assisted numerous childcare centres to apply for all types of employer sponsored visas including Employer Sponsored (482 and 494), DAMA Labour Agreements and Training Visas (Subclass 407).
Grow Early Childhood Education
The 482 visa is a temporary visa and does not directly grant permanent residency. However, many visa holders may become eligible for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), depending on their occupation, employer, and work experience in Australia. In some cases, regional TMC such as the Subclass 494 visa may also be an option. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Yes — 482 visas can be extended, but this is done by submitting a new nomination and visa application. There is no strict limit on extensions, as long as you continue to meet the visa requirements and have an employer willing to sponsor you. Each application is assessed based on your individual circumstances.
Yes, 482 dependents over 18 would usually have full work rights.
The 482 visa can be granted for a maximum of 4 years (if your occupation is on the list).
Yes you 100% need an employer to sponsor your visa.
The kills in Demand Visa Subclass 482 replaced the old TSS visa. SID 482 visa is the most common employer sponsored work visa in Australia.
Your employer would first need to apply to become a standard business sponsor (SBS). Your employer would then need to nominate you for the position. You would then apply for the 482 Visa.
Yes you can include your spouse/de facto partner and dependent children.
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