Australia • Immigration Consulting
The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved sponsor in their nominated occupation. It is designed to address genuine skill shortages in the Australian labour market. The SID visa launched in December 2024, replacing the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa, and introduced the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) as the key occupation list for employer-sponsored migration.
The SID visa operates across three streams: the Core Skills stream (occupation on the CSOL, up to 4 years), the Specialist Skills stream (high-income roles above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, no occupation list required, up to 4 years), and the Essential Skills stream (specific sectors such as agriculture, aged care, and construction). The Core Skills stream is the most commonly used pathway for skilled professionals and tradespeople.
The Subclass 482 is employer-sponsored, meaning an Australian business must nominate the applicant for a specific position. The employer must demonstrate that they have been unable to fill the role with a suitably qualified Australian worker through genuine labour market testing.
This visa is for skilled workers who have been offered a job by an Australian employer who is willing to sponsor them. Your employer needs to show they genuinely couldn't fill the role with someone local, if they can do that, this visa is your path to working in Australia.
The Australian employer applies to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor. This involves demonstrating that the business is lawfully operating and has a genuine need for the position.
The employer lodges a nomination for the specific position, including evidence of labour market testing and the terms of employment. The role must be on the relevant occupation list and meet market salary requirements.
We assess your qualifications, work experience and English language proficiency against the requirements of the nominated occupation and the relevant stream.
Some occupations require a formal skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. This confirms your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for the nominated role.
Once the nomination is approved, the visa application is lodged with all supporting documentation including identity documents, qualifications, employment references, English test results, police clearances and health examinations.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses the application. Additional information may be requested. Once all requirements are satisfied, the visa is granted.
The cost of a Subclass 482 application includes government visa fees, employer-related costs and various third-party charges. Costs vary depending on the stream and individual circumstances.
Some costs are borne by the employer (sponsorship, nomination, SAF levy). Exact amounts depend on individual circumstances, stream and business size. Government fees are subject to change.
Timeframes depend on the employer sponsorship and nomination process, the occupation, and the completeness of the application at lodgement.
A job offer from an approved Australian employer is a mandatory requirement for the Subclass 482 visa. The employer must nominate the applicant for a specific position that aligns with an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
The employer must demonstrate that they conducted genuine labour market testing and were unable to find a suitably qualified Australian worker for the role. The nominated position must meet minimum salary thresholds and reflect genuine terms and conditions of employment.
New World Immigration works with both employers and candidates throughout the sponsorship process. Our recruitment division assists employers in identifying suitable overseas candidates and supports applicants in connecting with sponsoring businesses across sectors including engineering, healthcare, IT, trades and construction.
Verify that the role exists on the relevant occupation list for the applicable stream, that the employer can demonstrate genuine need, and that your qualifications and experience meet the requirements for the nominated occupation.
The sponsoring employer must apply to the Department of Home Affairs for approval as a Standard Business Sponsor. The application must show the business is lawfully operating and has a genuine need to employ overseas workers.
The employer must advertise the position in Australia before lodging a nomination. Advertisements must appear on specified platforms for a minimum period and meet content requirements set by the Department.
Once sponsorship is approved and labour market testing is complete, the employer lodges a nomination for the specific position. The nomination specifies the occupation, the salary offered and the terms of employment.
Some occupations require a formal skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. This step must be completed before lodging the visa application if it applies to your occupation.
Undergo health examinations with an approved panel physician. Obtain police clearances from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Once the nomination is approved (or concurrently), submit the visa application through ImmiAccount with all supporting documents, identity, qualifications, English test results, employment references, health and police clearances.
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa, Subclass 482, has three streams introduced in December 2024. The Core Skills stream covers occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and allows up to four years in Australia with a pathway to the 186 PR after two years. The Specialist Skills stream applies where the income offered meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (currently above $135,000), no occupation list check is required. The Essential Skills stream targets specific sectors such as agriculture, aged care, and construction under a separate framework. The Core Skills stream is the most commonly used for professionals and tradespeople.
If you wish to change employers, your new employer must apply to become an approved sponsor, lodge a new nomination and you must apply for a new Subclass 482 visa. You must not work for the new employer until the new nomination is approved.
Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children as secondary applicants. They will receive work and study rights in Australia for the duration of the visa.
English requirements differ by SID stream and occupation. The Core Skills stream generally requires Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). The Specialist Skills stream requirements vary. Some occupations have higher requirements; some applicants may be exempt. Always confirm the current requirement for your specific stream and occupation with your NWI adviser before booking a test.
Yes. The Core Skills stream provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Temporary Residence Transition stream) after the visa holder has worked for the same employer for at least two years (reduced from three years under the former TSS regime). The Specialist Skills stream also offers a PR pathway via the 186 TRT after the required work period.
This is a training contribution that employers must pay as part of the nomination process. The amount depends on the size of the business and the duration of the visa. It is designed to fund training for Australian workers.
If your employment with the sponsoring employer ends, you generally have 60 days (or until the visa expires, whichever is sooner) to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or depart Australia.
If you have a job offer from an Australian employer or are exploring employer-sponsored visa options, the next step is to complete a structured eligibility assessment.
Our team will review your occupation, qualifications and circumstances to provide clear guidance on the most appropriate visa pathway and assist with the sponsorship and application process.