The Skills in Demand visa began.
Visa file / Employer sponsored visas
Skills in Demand visa 482
Employer sponsored work for up to 4 years: Specialist Skills, Core Skills or Labour Agreement stream.
In force
File: 482
Main chargeA$4,015
Information checked22 October 2026
Personal adviceRegistered agent only
Who it is for
Workers sponsored by an approved employer for up to 4 years. Specialist Skills: most occupations except trades, machinery operators, drivers and labourers, with a salary of at least A$146,576. Core Skills: an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, with a salary of at least A$79,423. Labour Agreement: an occupation covered by the employer's agreement.
Published eligibility
- No age limit.
- English test scores unless exempt (for example UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand or Irish passport holders).
- At least 1 year of relevant full-time experience in the last 5 years.
- A skills assessment only where mandatory for your occupation and passport, commenced before you lodge.
- An approved sponsor and nomination, with salary at least the threshold and the market rate, and labour market testing unless exempt.
- Health insurance for the whole stay; health and character; no payment for sponsorship.
Where you apply from
In or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance). In Australia you need a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C.
Streams
- Specialist Skills
- Core Skills
- Labour Agreement
- Subsequent entrant
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Employer enquiry
Role, occupation code, stream, salary and location.
Where a registered migration agent can helpAdvises the employer on the right stream and code.
- 02
Sponsorship
The employer becomes an approved standard business sponsor (valid 5 years).
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the sponsorship application.
- 03
Labour market testing
Advertising, unless an exemption applies.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks testing complies.
- 04
Nomination
The employer nominates the position and pays the Skilling Australians Fund levy, which must not be passed on to the worker.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares salary and market rate evidence.
- 05
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 06
Visa application
The worker lodges with English, skills assessment if mandatory, health insurance and documents.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares the worker's application.
- 07
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
- 08
Decision and working
Work only for the sponsor in the nominated occupation; the employer must meet sponsor obligations.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTrains the employer on obligations.
- 09
Pathway to permanent residence
The 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after 2 years of eligible sponsored work, or a skilled visa if eligible.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans the 186 timing.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (all streams) | A$4,015 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$4,015 |
| Family member under 18 | A$1,005 |
| Subsequent temporary application charge, in Australia | A$700 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Skills | 37 days | 78 days |
| Core Skills | 4 months | 9 months |
| Labour Agreement | 5 months | 9 months |
| Nomination | 64 days | 9 months |
Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship | A$420 |
| Nomination | A$330 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under A$10 million | A$1,200 a year |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover A$10 million or more | A$1,800 a year |
Common refusal reasons
- Nomination refused: position not genuine, salary below threshold or market rate, wrong occupation code, defective labour market testing.
- Less than 1 year of experience.
- English below the minimum.
- Mandatory skills assessment not commenced, making the application invalid.
- Sponsor's poor compliance history.
- Paying for sponsorship.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Worker
Employer
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
Income thresholds for nominations from 1 July 2026: Core Skills A$79,423, Specialist Skills A$146,576.
A new Ministerial Direction sets the processing order.
Sources
- Home Affairs: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- Home Affairs: salary requirements
- Home Affairs: cost of sponsoring
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
Where this becomes advice
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.