The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa lets approved Australian employers sponsor skilled workers when suitable local candidates aren’t available. It’s a temporary work visa of up to four years, built around three streams—Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement—with minimum salary thresholds and, for most applicants, recent work experience and English requirements. Depending on the stream, your occupation may need to appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The visa can include eligible family members, allows movement between sponsors with a new nomination, and offers clear pathways to permanent residence.

In this guide, you’ll get a practical, up‑to‑date roadmap: who the 482 is for, the eligibility checklist, how the three streams work, how to check your occupation on the CSOL, salary and market rate rules, English and skills assessment settings, and the employer sponsorship steps. We’ll walk through the application process, required documents, fees and processing times, visa conditions and changing employers, permanent residency pathways, transition rules for current holders, common mistakes to avoid, how the 482 compares to other options, and the latest updates—so you can plan your move with confidence.

Who the subclass 482 visa is for

The subclass 482 is for skilled workers who have a genuine job offer from an approved Australian sponsor when suitable local candidates aren’t available. It suits experienced professionals and tradespeople whose roles meet the stream settings: high‑earning specialists, occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), or roles covered by a labour agreement. It’s also for Australian businesses needing overseas talent to fill critical vacancies, and for applicants who want to include eligible family members while working in Australia.

Eligibility checklist and key requirements

Before you press submit, make sure you and your sponsor meet the non‑negotiables for a successful subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa. This quick checklist aligns with current Department settings and will save you time, cost, and potential refusals.

Approved sponsor and nomination: Your Australian employer must be (or become) an approved sponsor and lodge a genuine position nomination, including any required labor market testing.
Stream fit: Apply under the correct stream. Core Skills must be on the CSOL; Specialist Skills has no list but generally excludes trades, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers; Labor Agreement requires an approved agreement.
Salary thresholds met: Your pay must meet the stream minimum and the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR). Current benchmarks commonly referenced: Core Skills from AUD 76,515; Specialist Skills from AUD 141,210.
Recent work experience: At least 1 year of full‑time, relevant work experience within the last 5 years.
English proficiency: Evidence such as IELTS 5 with at least 5 in each band (or accepted equivalent).
Skills and qualifications: Meet occupation requirements and complete a skills assessment if mandated.
Onshore status (if in Australia): Hold a substantive visa or Bridging A/B/C at time of application.
Health and character: Satisfy medical examinations and provide police clearances.
Licensing/registration: Hold, or be eligible for, any mandatory Australian occupational license.

If you can tick these boxes, you’re broadly on track for the subclass 482—your next step is choosing the right stream.

Streams explained: specialist skills, core skills, and labour agreement

Your stream choice determines which occupation rules apply, the minimum pay you must meet, and how quickly your subclass 482 may be processed. All three streams can grant up to four years and offer pathways to permanent residence, but they target different worker profiles and employer needs.

Specialist Skills Stream: No occupation list, but generally excludes trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers. Requires high guaranteed earnings (commonly referenced from AUD 141,210, indexed annually) and is designed for highly paid specialists with faster processing. Four-year validity and PR pathways apply.
Core Skills Stream: You must be nominated in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and be paid at or above the stream’s floor (commonly referenced from AUD 76,515, indexed annually) and the market salary rate. This is the main pathway for most occupations, including many trades. Up to four years with a PR pathway.
Labour Agreement Stream: For roles covered by an employer’s approved labour agreement with the Department. Terms (including salary concessions or occupation scope) are set by the agreement. Also grants up to four years and can provide PR pathways according to the agreement’s settings.

Occupation eligibility: how to use the core skills occupation list (CSOL)

For the Core Skills stream of the subclass 482, your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Start by matching your nominated role and day‑to‑day duties to an eligible ANZSCO occupation on the list, then confirm any mandated skills assessment or licensing for that occupation before proceeding.

Confirm title/code: Match your job to the CSOL occupation and ANZSCO code.
Match duties: Compare your position description with ANZSCO tasks.
Check pay rules: Meet the Core Skills salary floor and market rate.
Verify extras: Identify required skills assessments and Australian licensing.
Cross‑check 482 basics: Ensure experience, English, health, and character fit.

Salary thresholds and market salary rate rules

For a subclass 482 grant, your pay must clear two gates: the stream’s minimum income threshold and the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR). In practice, your guaranteed annual earnings must be at least the stream floor and at least what an equivalent Australian earns for the same role in the same location. If the AMSR is higher than the stream minimum, the AMSR prevails. Thresholds are indexed annually, so check the period that applies to your nomination before you lodge.

Stream	Minimum guaranteed earnings (AUD)	Notes
Specialist Skills	141,210 (1 Jul 2025–30 Jun 2026)	Previously 135,000 for nominations lodged 7 Dec 2024–30 Jun 2025; indexed annually.
Core Skills	76,515 (TSMIT, 1 Jul 2025–30 Jun 2026)	Previously 73,150 for 1 Jul 2024–30 Jun 2025; indexed annually.
Labour Agreement	Set by agreement	Salary settings are specified in the approved agreement; check AMSR and any concessions.

AMSR check: Use comparable roles, duties, and location to evidence the market rate (for example, enterprise agreements or recent payroll data).
Guaranteed earnings: Base the figure on guaranteed pay in the contract; thresholds are not met by “potential” or discretionary amounts.

English, skills assessment, and occupational licensing

Three gatekeepers sit between you and a successful subclass 482 grant: meeting the English score, proving your skills, and holding (or being eligible for) any Australian license or registration your occupation requires. For English, the common benchmark is IELTS 5.0 with at least 5.0 in each band (or an accepted equivalent). Test results are generally valid for up to 3 years from the first sitting.

Skills assessment: Some CSOL occupations and trade roles require a positive assessment—check your ANZSCO and stream before lodging.
Qualifications and experience: Your documents must align with the nominated occupation’s level and duties.
Licensing/registration: If your job is regulated (for example, many health, electrical, or teaching roles), provide evidence you hold—or can obtain—Australian registration before starting work under your subclass 482.

Employer sponsorship: approval, nomination, and ongoing obligations

Every subclass 482 journey starts with the employer. Think of it as a three-part commitment: first, the business becomes an approved sponsor; second, it nominates a genuine role that meets income and occupation settings; third, it maintains compliance for the life of the nomination. Getting these steps right protects the visa, the worker, and the business.

Sponsorship approval: Become (or remain) an approved sponsor, show compliance with Australian workplace laws, demonstrate financial viability, and meet sponsorship/training requirements set by the Department.
Nomination of the position: Choose the correct stream; if Core Skills, the occupation must be on the CSOL. Prove the job is genuine, meet the Australian Market Salary Rate and the stream minimum (for example, Core Skills from AUD 76,515; Specialist Skills from AUD 141,210), complete any required labor market testing, and pay the nomination charges (including any SAF levy). Attach a clear contract, duties, and location.
Ongoing obligations: Keep pay at or above the guaranteed rate and market rate for the entire period, maintain compliance with workplace laws, keep records, and notify the Department of material changes. If hiring an existing 482 visa holder, lodge a fresh nomination before they start. Ensure required licensing or registration is in place.

Step-by-step: how to apply for a 482 visa

A successful subclass 482 application moves in three coordinated tracks: employer sponsorship, nomination of your role, and your visa application. Map your stream early (Specialist Skills, Core Skills, or Labour Agreement), confirm your occupation/earnings settings, and line up evidence so each step flows without delays.

Confirm your stream and role fit: Match duties to the correct ANZSCO occupation (CSOL for Core Skills) and verify salary meets the stream minimum and AMSR.
Prepare employer sponsorship (if new): The business secures or maintains approved sponsor status and gathers compliance evidence.
Gather labor market testing (LMT) where required: Use ads and proof within the current validity window (commonly 4 months) unless exempt.
Build the nomination pack: Draft a genuine position description, contract showing guaranteed earnings, work location, and licensing prerequisites; calculate/pay the nomination charges (including any SAF levy).
Complete skills/English prerequisites: Obtain any mandatory skills assessment and a valid English test (e.g., IELTS 5.0 with 5 in each band).
Collect personal evidence: Identity, qualifications, work references, health and character documents (police checks).
Lodge the nomination: Employer submits the stream‑aligned nomination with supporting evidence.
Lodge the visa application: You submit online, attach documents, and pay the visa charge; ensure you hold a substantive or eligible bridging visa if onshore.
Complete checks and respond: Attend health exams/biometrics and respond promptly to any Department requests.
After a decision: If granted, activate any licensing/registration and start work only in the nominated occupation, meeting all subclass 482 conditions.

A tight sequence, clean evidence, and clear salary/occupation alignment are what keep a 482 visa moving.

Documents checklist for sponsors and applicants

Getting the paperwork right is the fastest way to avoid requests for more information and keep your subclass 482 on track. Use this practical checklist to assemble evidence that matches your stream, occupation, and salary settings from the start.

For sponsors and nominations

Sponsorship evidence: ABN/ASIC extracts, financial viability, and compliance with workplace laws.
Genuine position details: Position description, ANZSCO alignment, organization chart, and work location.
Salary proof: Signed contract showing guaranteed earnings meeting stream minimum and AMSR; payroll/EA comparisons.
Labour Market Testing (LMT): Advertisements and screenshots within the current validity window (if required) and rationale.
CSOL/stream fit: For Core Skills, confirm the occupation appears on the CSOL; for Labour Agreement, cite the agreement terms.
Licensing prerequisites: If the role needs Australian registration, note the requirement and timing.
Nomination charges: Proof of payment (including any applicable SAF levy).

For visa applicants and dependents

Identity: Passport bio page(s), photos, national IDs.
Experience: CV, employer reference letters, payslips, contracts showing at least 1 year relevant work in the past 5 years.
Qualifications: Certificates and transcripts; certified translations if applicable.
Skills assessment: Positive assessment where mandated for your occupation/stream.
English test: IELTS (or accepted equivalent) meeting 5.0 overall and 5.0 each band.
Health and character: Health exam receipts and police clearances for each relevant country.
Licensing/registration: Evidence you hold or can obtain Australian registration before commencing.
Family members: Marriage or partnership evidence, birth certificates, and dependency proof where needed.

Costs and fees you should budget for

Before you lodge a subclass 482, map out both the employer and applicant costs. Fees are indexed and can change each July, so use the figures below as guidance and confirm the amounts that apply to your nomination window. Employers usually cover sponsorship/nomination and the SAF levy; applicants typically pay their own visa charge, health, skills assessment, and police checks.

482 visa application charge	Amount (AUD)
Primary applicant	3,210
Each dependent 18+	3,210
Each dependent under 18	805

Sponsorship & nomination charges (employer): Department fees apply at both stages.
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy (employer): Payable per year of nomination; no changes announced to the levy itself, with staged payments being explored.
Labour Market Testing: Advertising expenses where required.
Skills assessment (if mandated): Varies by assessing authority.
English test (e.g., IELTS): Test fee per attempt.
Health exams & biometrics: Per applicant.
Police clearances & translations: Per country/document as applicable.
Licensing/registration: If your occupation requires Australian registration before starting work.

Tip: align your nomination period with the correct income thresholds and fee settings to avoid re‑work and extra costs on your subclass 482 timeline.

Processing times and what speeds things up

Processing times for a subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa vary by stream and case complexity. Specialist Skills nominations are prioritized with fast‑tracked processing, including a published 7‑day median commitment for that stream. For Core Skills and Labour Agreement cases, timing depends on nomination readiness, skills assessments, health/character checks, and how quickly you and your sponsor respond to requests.

Get the stream right: Correct stream and CSOL match (for Core Skills) from the start.
Nomination-ready evidence: Genuine role, ANZSCO‑aligned duties, and contract with guaranteed earnings meeting SSIT/TSMIT and AMSR.
Valid LMT (if required): Complete, consistent, and within the current validity window.
Front‑load requirements: Skills assessment, English test, police checks, and health exams.
Licensing sorted early: Registration or eligibility evidence ready to go.
Clean, consistent documents: Titles, duties, salary, and location aligned across all documents.
Respond fast: Answer any Department requests promptly and completely.

Visa length, conditions, family members, and changing employers

A subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa can be granted for up to four years across all streams and lets you travel in and out of Australia. While holding the 482 visa, you must work in your nominated occupation for an approved sponsor and keep meeting stream rules, including minimum guaranteed earnings and any licensing or registration required for the role. You can include eligible family members, and—importantly—you have flexibility to change employers under set timelines.

Visa length and travel: Up to 4 years’ stay with multiple‑entry travel while your subclass 482 remains valid.
Work conditions: Work only in your nominated occupation for an approved sponsor, and maintain any required Australian licensing/registration for that occupation.
Family members: You can include your partner and dependent children. They receive full work and study rights. Expect additional government fees and private health insurance requirements for dependents.
Changing employers: You can switch sponsors. The new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination for your occupation.
Mobility time limits: You have up to 180 days per change (capped at a total of 365 days across your entire visa period) to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or depart Australia.
Earnings must hold: Your guaranteed earnings must continue to meet the stream minimum (for example, Core Skills TSMIT or the Specialist Skills threshold) and the Australian market salary rate.
PR continuity: All full‑time sponsored employment on a subclass 482 counts toward permanent residence eligibility even if you change employers (details next).

Permanent residency pathways from the 482 visa

Your subclass 482 can lead to Australian permanent residency through employer sponsorship once you meet time-in-role, occupation, and skills settings. Two main routes exist under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and the Direct Entry (DE) stream. Crucially, all full‑time sponsored employment on a 457/482— even when changing approved sponsors—counts toward PR time requirements.

186 TRT (after 482): Complete 2 years of full‑time work in Australia in the same occupation within the last 3 years while holding a 457, 482 (TSS) or 482 (SID). Employment can be with multiple sponsors, provided the work is continuous (excluding unpaid leave). Your employer then nominates you for PR in the TRT stream.
186 Direct Entry: Available if your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). You’ll generally need a positive skills assessment and 3 years of full‑time, relevant experience, alongside employer nomination.
Labour agreements: Some labour agreements include built‑in PR pathways; check the specific agreement terms.

Plan early: align your 482 duties, ANZSCO code, and salary with your intended 186 pathway to avoid re‑work later.

Transitional rules for current TSS 482 holders

Already on a TSS subclass 482? Your visa stays valid to its expiry; you don’t need to switch mid‑stream. Applications lodged before 7 Dec 2024 are decided under TSS rules, while nominations lodged before that date can be linked to a SID visa. For PR (186 TRT), time worked on 457/482 (TSS) and 482 (SID) counts and can be with multiple sponsors. Enhanced mobility provisions apply when changing employers; a nomination is required.

Common mistakes and how to avoid refusal

Most refusals come down to mismatched evidence or the wrong settings. If you and your sponsor lock these items in early, you’ll keep your subclass 482 application clean and defensible—and often faster. Use this quick pre‑lodgment triage to reduce risk.

Wrong stream/occupation match: Core Skills role not on CSOL; Specialist excluded.
Salary below thresholds: Fails stream minimum or AMSR; weak guaranteed earnings.
LMT errors: Ads non‑compliant, wrong window, or no valid exemption.
Evidence gaps: Under 1 year recent experience; IELTS <5; missing skills assessment/licensing.
Weak genuine role: Duties don’t match ANZSCO; generic PD; inconsistent documents.

482 compared with other work visa options

If you need a fast, employer‑sponsored pathway, the subclass 482 is often the most direct option. By contrast, the Employer Nomination Scheme 186 is permanent from grant (or via TRT after time on a 482). Points‑tested visas (189/190/491) rely on invitations and state/territory lists, which can take longer or be less predictable. Regional employer‑sponsored 494 suits jobs outside major cities and can lead to PR. The 407 Training visa is for structured occupational training, while the National Innovation Visa targets exceptional talent.

Latest updates and what may change next

The Skills in Demand subclass 482 replaced TSS on 7 Dec 2024 and continues to evolve. For 1 Jul 2025–30 Jun 2026, thresholds are SSIT AUD 141,210 (Specialist) and TSMIT AUD 76,515 (Core). CSOL is being updated (some roles added/removed). Labour Market Testing is being streamlined—Workforce Australia ads removed and validity expected to extend to six months. The Essential Skills pathway is still being designed, likely sector‑specific. A 7‑day median is targeted for Specialist Skills, and staged SAF levy payments are being explored.

Key takeaways

Subclass 482 is a direct bridge from a real job offer to work in Australia—and often to PR. Your outcome hinges on picking the right stream, proving salary at or above market, and lining up sponsor, nomination, and visa steps cleanly. Front‑load English, skills, health, and character to avoid delays and protect your pathway.

Replaced TSS 7 Dec 2024; three streams; up to 4 years.
Salary floors: Specialist 141,210; Core 76,515; meet AMSR.
Core needs CSOL occupation; Specialist excludes trades/machinery/drivers/laborers.
At least 1 year experience in last 5; IELTS 5 each band.
Mobility: 180 days per change, 365 total to find a new sponsor/switch.
PR: 186 TRT after 2 years; DE needs CSOL, skills assessment, 3 years.

Want tailored advice or a document check before you lodge? Talk to our migration team at Simon Mander Consulting.

Subclass 482: Eligibility, Streams, Costs, PR & How to Apply