If an Australian employer wants to hire you, the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is one of the main ways to come and work here. It replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024, and it can also lead to permanent residency.
This guide explains how the Skills in Demand visa works, its streams, the salary thresholds, who can apply, how sponsorship works, and the pathway to permanent residency. Details were checked against official and reputable sources at the time of writing, but employer-sponsored visa rules and salary thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current settings with the Department of Home Affairs.
Quick Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Visa | Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) |
| Replaced | The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, from 7 December 2024 |
| Do I need a sponsor? | Yes, an approved Australian employer must sponsor and nominate you |
| Main streams | Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement |
| Work experience | Generally at least 1 year in your occupation or a related field |
| Stay | Up to 4 years (Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years) |
| Visa fee | From AUD 4,015 (main applicant) |
| Salary thresholds 2026–27 | Core Skills AUD 79,423; Specialist Skills AUD 146,576 |
| PR pathway | Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), generally after 2 years of sponsored work |
What Is the Skills in Demand Visa?
The Skills in Demand visa is a temporary work visa for skilled workers whose employers cannot find suitable workers in Australia. Your employer must be an approved sponsor and must nominate you for a specific role.
Unlike the Working Holiday visa, you generally must work for your sponsoring employer in the occupation you were nominated for.
The Three Main Streams
Specialist Skills stream
This stream is for highly paid workers in many skilled occupations. There is no occupation list for this stream, although some trades and lower-skilled roles are excluded. Your salary must be at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT). For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the SSIT is AUD 146,576 (it was AUD 141,210 in 2025–26).
Core Skills stream
This is the main stream for most skilled workers. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and your salary must be at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the market rate for the job. For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the CSIT is AUD 79,423 (it was AUD 76,515 in 2025–26).
Labour Agreement stream
This stream is for workers sponsored by employers who have a labour agreement with the Australian Government. Labour agreements allow conditions that are different from the standard rules, such as for specific industries or regions.
Salary thresholds change every July
The CSIT and SSIT are indexed each year on 1 July, and new figures apply to applications lodged from that date. Home Affairs has confirmed the 2026–27 figures above. Always check the Home Affairs website for the thresholds that apply on the date your employer lodges your nomination.
Who Can Apply?
To get a Skills in Demand visa, you generally need:
- A job offer from an approved sponsor who nominates you for the position
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience in your occupation or a related field
- Skills and qualifications that match the occupation, including a skills assessment or registration where required
- An English test result that meets the minimum score for your stream, unless exempt
- Health insurance for your stay
- Health and character clearances
Some occupations need a mandatory skills assessment, and many regulated jobs, such as nursing or electrical work, need Australian registration or licensing.
How Sponsorship Works
There are three parts to the process:
- Sponsorship: your employer applies to become an approved sponsor, if it is not one already
- Nomination: your employer nominates you for a specific position, salary and occupation
- Visa application: you apply for the visa linked to that nomination
For the Core Skills stream, employers usually need to advertise the job in Australia first. This is called labour market testing.
Your employer’s obligations
Sponsors must pay you at least the agreed salary and market rate, keep records, and tell Home Affairs about certain changes. It is against the law for an employer to make you pay back their sponsorship costs or to ask for money in return for sponsoring you. If someone asks you to pay for a sponsorship, report it.
What If You Lose Your Job or Want to Change Employers?
On a Skills in Demand visa, you can change employers, but your new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination for you. If your employment ends, you have a limited period to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or leave Australia. Check the current time limits and conditions on the Home Affairs website, as these rules were updated as part of the recent reforms.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Many Skills in Demand visa holders become permanent residents through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Temporary Residence Transition stream.
As a general guide, you need:
- About 2 years of sponsored work in your nominated occupation (recent reforms made it easier to count time with different approved sponsors in the same occupation)
- An employer willing to nominate you for permanent residency
- To be under 45 when you apply, unless you are exempt
- To meet English, health and character requirements
Some people instead apply for points-tested skilled visas. Our guide to Australian permanent residency pathways explains the main options.
How Much Does It Cost?
Costs are shared between you and your employer and can include:
- The visa application fee for you and any family members
- Sponsorship and nomination fees (paid by the employer)
- The Skilling Australians Fund levy (paid by the employer, not by you)
- A skills assessment, English test, health checks and police certificates
According to Home Affairs, the visa application fee starts from AUD 4,015 for the main applicant (checked October 2026). Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator to check the full cost for your family.
Bringing Your Family
You can usually include your partner and dependent children in your application. Family members on the visa generally have work and study rights in Australia. Budget for extra visa fees, health insurance and living costs. Our guide to the cost of living in Australia can help.
How to Find a Sponsoring Employer
- Look for job ads that mention visa sponsorship on the best job websites in Australia
- Target industries with skill shortages, such as healthcare, engineering, construction trades and technology
- Consider regional areas, where many employers struggle to find staff
- Build a strong LinkedIn profile and contact recruiters in your field
- Be cautious of anyone selling “guaranteed sponsorship”
Occupation Lists Explained
For the Core Skills stream, your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This list was introduced with the Skills in Demand visa and is reviewed regularly based on labour market data. It is separate from the lists used for points-tested skilled visas, such as the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Before you start the process, check that your occupation is on the current list for the visa you want. Your employer and a registered migration agent can help you match your role to the correct occupation code.
Is the Skills in Demand Visa Right for You?
This visa suits you if you have skills that employers need and you are happy to work for one sponsoring employer for a few years. It may not suit you if you want complete freedom to change jobs or industries, or if you would rather apply for permanent residency on your own through the points test.
Many people use a combination of pathways. For example, they come on a Skills in Demand visa, gain Australian experience and then either transition to permanent residency through their employer or apply for a points-tested skilled visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaced the 482 TSS visa?
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024. It still uses subclass number 482.
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa?
It depends on the stream. 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. These are indexed each July, so check the current figures.
How long can I stay on a Skills in Demand visa?
Up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
Can a 482 visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. Many holders apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) after about 2 years of sponsored work, if their employer nominates them and they meet the requirements.
Can I pay my employer to sponsor me?
No. It is illegal for an employer or anyone else to ask for payment in return for sponsorship.
Final Thoughts
The Skills in Demand visa is a strong option if you have skills Australian employers need. Focus on finding an approved sponsor, check the salary thresholds and occupation lists that apply at the time your nomination is lodged, and plan your pathway to permanent residency early.
Employer-sponsored visas are complex, so consider speaking to a registered migration agent before you apply.
Related Guides
- Australian PR Pathways: 189, 190 and 491
- Average Salary in Australia
- How to Find a Job in Australia
- Best Job Websites in Australia
Official Resources
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Department of Home Affairs
- Register of Migration Agents – OMARA
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