Welcome to the first blog in our three-part series on the new Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482. The article below covers an overview of the visa, the eligibility criteria and steps in applying for the visa. Click below to read the next 2 articles in this series:

1. The complete guide for current and prospective Subclass 482 Visa holders
2. Transitioning from the 482 Visa to Permanent Residency 186 TRT Visa

The latest Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Subclass 482 is a temporary visa that allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill positions they cannot find suitable Australian workers for. This visa, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on December 7, 2024, aims to address labour shortages and attract global talent to Australia.

The introduction of this visa is aligned with insights from the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), regional demands and input from key industry stakeholders across the country. The SID Visa is a powerful step in responding to the changing economic, social and labour market needs of Australia.

General overview:

• Allows the applicant to stay in Australia for up to 4 years
• Hong Kong passport holders may stay for up to 5 years
• Costs start from AUD $3,115
• If eligible, applicant can apply for Permanent Residency

Eligibility criteria

1. Eligible occupations

To qualify for the Skills in Demand Visa, your occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or meet the income threshold for the Specialist Skills stream. The CSOL covers 456 occupations across critical sectors, with a reduction of 125 occupations from the previous TSS occupation list.

2. Required skills

Applicants must have the necessary skills and qualifications for the nominated position. This may involve completing a skills assessment to demonstrate your capabilities.

3. Experience requirement

• The work requirement has been reduced from 2 years to 1 year of relevant experience. This experience must have been undertaken in the past 5 years and can be in the nominated occupation or a related field.
• The 1 year of relevant experience is now a Time of Application requirement; meaning you must have the relevant 1 year of experience at the time of your visa lodgment.
• Applicants can no longer accumulate experience towards the work experience requirement whilst their visa application is processing.

4. English requirement

Applicants must meet the English language proficiency standards, which include an IELTS score of at least 5.0 overall with a minimum of 5 in individual components or equivalent scores in other accepted tests.

5. Salary requirement

The minimum salary for the Skills in Demand Visa is determined by the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), currently set at AUD $73,150 per annum. The minimum annual salary (SSIT) for the Specialist Skills stream is AUD $135,000.

Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)

The Skills in Demand Visa offers a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). After 2 years of employment in Australia, you can apply for Permanent Residency under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.

Including Family Members

You can include family members in your Skills in Demand Visa application. Family members can stay in Australia for the duration of their visa and enjoy the same rights to work and study.

Which family members can be included in your SID Visa application?

• Only a Member of the Family Unit is eligible to be included in your application.
• This includes a spouse or de factor partner, and certain dependent children.
• Please note that this does not include your parents or your siblings.

Steps in applying for the SID Visa

1. Sponsorship from your employer

Your employer must:

• Be or become an approved sponsor to sponsor overseas workers
• Comply with Australian workplace laws
• Meet the training requirement

2. Nomination from your employer

Your employer must:

• Conduct Labour Market Testing (LMT) before submitting your nomination
• Meet the salary and employment requirements
• Meet the genuine position requirements

3. Visa application from you

This is the final step in the process. You must have a valid nomination approval before you can lodge your visa application. Ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria and provide the necessary documentation.

Need more information? Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below or book a consultation with one of our expert agents to learn more about the SID Visa.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide any legal or professional advice. You should seek the advice of a qualified expert before making any decisions based on this article. 

Source: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Immigration and Citizenship Website

Bill Mitroulas

Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. Managing and overseeing the growth and performance of Questra’s team of migration agents, while maintaining a client-centric and quality-driven approach. A registered migration agent since 2015 and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian Migration law.