The Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa lets an approved Australian sponsor bring a skilled overseas worker to Australia temporarily, with most Core Skills grants lasting up to four years. Family members can be included, and after two years in the nominated occupation the worker can generally be nominated for permanent residency under the 186 TRT stream.
Key Facts for Sydney Applicants
Question | Answer |
Job offer required? | Yes – an approved sponsor must nominate the worker |
Family included? | Yes – partner and dependent children as secondary applicants |
Length of stay | Up to 4 years (Core Skills stream) |
PR pathway | 186 TRT stream after 2 years in the nominated occupation |
3 Steps After a Nomination Is Approved
- Confirm Individual Eligibility: Check work experience, English language, and health and character requirements for the worker (and any family members included).
- Lodge the Visa Application: Submit the 482 application referencing the approved nomination, with the full evidence bundle.
- Plan for the PR Pathway: Map out the two-year qualifying period toward the 186 TRT stream from day one, including how time with multiple sponsors will count.
Overview
The Subclass 482 visa – now known as the Skills in Demand visa – is the visa stage that follows a successful nomination, and for many of our clients it is also the first step on a longer journey toward permanent residency. This guide walks through who is eligible, how long the visa lasts, and what happens once the worker is in Australia.
What is the 482 visa in Australia?
The Subclass 482 visa – now formally known as the Skills in Demand visa – is one of Australia’s most widely used employer-sponsored temporary work visas. It replaced the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa and introduced a revised three-stream structure designed to better match sponsored workers to genuine skill needs in the Australian economy.
The three streams are the Core Skills stream, the Specialist Skills stream, and the Labour Agreement stream. Each stream has different occupation eligibility, salary thresholds, and processing timeframes – and choosing the right stream from the outset is one of the most important early decisions in the sponsorship process.
For many of our clients – both employers and workers – the 482 is not just a temporary work visa. It is step one of a planned pathway to permanent residency. The way the nomination is structured, and the occupation code selected, can have direct consequences for the worker’s eligibility for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream down the track. This is why we always look at the full picture before lodging, not just the immediate visa grant.
The 482 visa requires an approved Standard Business Sponsor to nominate the worker, and the worker must meet occupation, English language, work experience, and salary requirements. The visa is employer-tied, meaning the worker is sponsored for a specific role with a specific employer – though the rules around changing employers mid-visa have become more flexible in recent years.
For the full overview see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482
Who is eligible to apply for a 482 visa?
To be eligible for a Subclass 482 visa, an applicant must be nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor for a specific skilled position, and must meet several individual eligibility requirements that apply regardless of which stream the nomination falls under.
Work experience is a core requirement – applicants must have at least one year of relevant full-time work experience gained in the last five years in the nominated occupation or a closely related field. This is assessed against the worker’s actual duties and employment history, not simply their job title.
The nominated salary must meet both the applicable income threshold (AUD $76,515 for Core Skills in 2025-26) and the Annual Market Salary Rate for the role. English language proficiency must be demonstrated through an approved test, unless an exemption applies – some passport holders from English-speaking countries are exempt from sitting a formal test.
Health and character requirements apply to all applicants and to relevant members of their family unit included in the application. These are assessed at the visa stage rather than at nomination, but it is worth obtaining health examinations and police clearances early in the process to avoid delays.
One aspect of eligibility that we see cause issues for applicants is the work experience requirement when the nominated occupation is different from the applicant’s previous job titles. The Department looks at whether the duties actually performed match the occupation being nominated – not just whether the titles align. How the work experience is documented and presented in the application matters significantly.
For the full eligibility criteria see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482/who-can-apply
How long can someone stay in Australia on a 482 visa?
The length of stay granted on a 482 visa depends on the stream under which the worker is nominated and the specific occupation involved.
For the Core Skills stream, most visas are granted for up to four years. For the Specialist Skills stream, the visa is also typically granted for up to four years, though the processing and grant timelines differ from Core Skills. Under the Labour Agreement stream, the period granted reflects the terms of the specific labour agreement in place.
For occupations where a licensing or registration requirement applies in Australia – certain healthcare, engineering, and legal occupations for example – the visa may be granted for a shorter initial period to allow the worker time to obtain the relevant registration before a longer stay is approved.
An important planning consideration: the 482 visa does not automatically convert to permanent residency at the end of the grant period. Workers who are planning to transition to the 186 TRT stream should ensure their nomination for permanent residency is lodged before their 482 visa expires – and ideally well before. Once a worker holds a valid 482 visa and a lodged 186 nomination, a Bridging visa protects their lawful status while the PR application is processed.
In our experience, the workers who have the smoothest transition from the 482 to permanent residency are those who start planning for the 186 application while still within the first year or two of their 482 visa – not in the last six months.
For current grant periods by stream see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482
Including Family Members
Yes – spouses, de facto partners, and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants in a 482 visa application, and in most cases we recommend including all eligible family members at the time of lodgement rather than leaving it for later.
Family members included in the application at lodgement are generally entitled to live, work, and study in Australia for the duration of the primary visa holder’s stay. Dependent children can attend Australian schools, and secondary applicants have full work rights – they are not restricted to any particular employer or industry.
The critical point is that family members who are not included in the original application must apply separately as subsequent entrants – they cannot be added to an existing application after it has been lodged. A subsequent entrant application is a separate visa application with its own fees, health and character requirements, and processing timeline. It is not simply an administrative update to the primary application.
For family members currently in Australia on their own visa, including them at the time of the primary applicant’s 482 application is the cleanest approach. For family members who plan to join later, a subsequent entrant application is required, and the timing of that application relative to the primary visa holder’s visa period needs to be considered.
Health examinations and police clearances are required for all secondary applicants, including dependent children of certain ages. These should be arranged early in the application process to avoid creating a bottleneck at the finalisation stage.
For family member eligibility see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482/who-can-apply
What English language requirements apply to the 482 visa?
English language proficiency is a core requirement for the 482 visa, and it is one of the things applicants should address early in their preparation – particularly because test bookings can take several weeks and results can take time to be issued.
For most applicants, competent English must be demonstrated through an approved language test. The most commonly used tests are IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge C1 Advanced. The minimum scores required vary slightly between tests but are broadly equivalent to a competent level of English across all four components – reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Certain applicants are exempt from the formal test requirement. Passport holders from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland are generally exempt. Applicants who have completed at least five years of full-time study conducted in English may also be eligible for an exemption.
For occupations that require professional registration or licensing in Australia – nursing and teaching being common examples – the English proficiency requirements of the relevant registration body may be higher than the visa requirement. In those cases, the higher standard applies effectively, and applicants should plan their test preparation accordingly.
Intra company transferees with earnings over $94,600 may also be eligible for English exemption.
For the approved tests and required scores see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language
The Pathway to Permanent Residency
For most skilled workers on a 482 visa, permanent residency is not just a possibility – it is the plan. The 482 visa is designed as a temporary pathway that, for eligible workers, connects directly to Australian permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 visa.
The most common route is the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the 186 visa. To be eligible, the worker must have held a 482 or 457 visa and completed at least two years of full-time work in the nominated occupation. Their current employer – or a previous employer, subject to the cumulative experience rules – then nominates them for permanent residency.
A significant change that has benefitted many workers is that the two-year qualifying period now accumulates across multiple sponsors. Previously, the clock reset with each change of employer. Under the current framework, the total time worked in the nominated occupation with any combination of approved sponsors counts toward the two-year requirement. This means a worker who changed employers mid-visa does not lose ground toward permanent residency.
The applicant must generally be under 45 at the time the 186 visa application is lodged, and the nominated occupation must be eligible for the TRT stream.
In our practice, we plan the 482 to 186 pathway from the very beginning of the sponsorship engagement – not as an afterthought when the 482 visa is approaching expiry. The earlier the pathway is mapped out, the fewer surprises there are.
For the 186 TRT stream see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/employer-nomination-scheme-186/temporary-residence-transition-stream
Changing Employers on a 482 Visa
Yes – a 482 visa holder can change employers, but the process is more involved than a standard employment change, and the timing needs to be managed carefully to avoid falling into an unlawful status.
If a sponsored worker becomes unemployed – whether through resignation, redundancy, or termination – they have up to 180 days to find a new approved employer sponsor, have that new employer lodge a nomination, and either transfer their existing visa or apply for a new one. During this 180-day period, the worker remains lawfully in Australia.
The 180-day window is a genuine and useful mechanism, but it does require the worker to act promptly. Finding a new employer who is an approved Standard Business Sponsor and is willing to sponsor the worker, preparing and lodging a new nomination, and managing the visa transition all take time. Leaving it to the last few weeks of the 180-day window creates unnecessary risk.
An important improvement in the current rules is that work experience accumulated with multiple sponsors now counts cumulatively toward the two-year qualifying period for the 186 TRT permanent residency stream. This means changing employers during the 482 period no longer sets back the pathway to permanent residency – the clock keeps running based on total time worked in a nominated occupation with an approved sponsor.
For the outgoing employer, the end of the employment relationship triggers sponsorship notification obligations. The worker’s departure from employment must be reported to the Department of Home Affairs promptly.
For detail on changing sponsors see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skills-in-demand-visa
Core Skills vs Specialist Skills
The Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams of the 482 visa serve different segments of the skilled workforce and come with meaningfully different requirements, costs, and timelines.
The Core Skills stream is the most widely used and covers 456 occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List. The minimum salary threshold is AUD $76,515 per year for the 2025-26 financial year, rising to AUD $79,499 from 1 July 2026. Processing times for Core Skills nominations are currently 30 to 70 days for most applications. The stream is designed for a broad range of skilled occupations across industries including healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, and professional services.
The Specialist Skills stream is designed for genuinely high-skilled, high-earning roles. The minimum salary threshold is AUD $141,210, rising to AUD $146,717 from mid-2026. In return for the higher salary bar, the Specialist Skills stream offers significantly faster processing – straightforward applications can be decided in as few as 7 days. For businesses that need to move quickly on a critical senior hire, this speed advantage is significant.
The Specialist Skills stream also has less restrictive occupation requirements than the Core Skills stream – it does not rely on the occupations list and instead applies to broader ANZSCO Major Groups. This makes it accessible for a wider range of senior or specialised roles, provided the salary threshold is met.
In practice, the question of which stream applies is often straightforward – it comes down to whether the role genuinely attracts a salary above AUD $146,717. Where the salary sits at or near the threshold, it is worth getting advice on how the role maps to the stream requirements before lodging.
For a comparison of streams see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 482 visa in Australia?
The Subclass 482 visa – now formally known as the Skills in Demand visa – is one of Australia’s most widely used employer-sponsored temporary work visas. It replaced the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa and introduced a revised three-stream structure designed to better match sponsored workers to genuine skill needs in the Australian economy. The three streams are the Core Skills stream, the Specialist Skills stream, and the Labour Agreement stream.
Who is eligible to apply for a 482 visa?
To be eligible for a Subclass 482 visa, an applicant must be nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor for a specific skilled position, and must meet several individual eligibility requirements that apply regardless of which stream the nomination falls under. Work experience is a core requirement – applicants must have at least one year of relevant full-time work experience gained in the last five years in the nominated occupation or a closely related field. This is assessed against the worker’s actual duties and employment history, not simply their job title.
How long can someone stay in Australia on a 482 visa?
The length of stay granted on a 482 visa depends on the stream under which the worker is nominated and the specific occupation involved. For the Core Skills stream, most visas are granted for up to four years. For the Specialist Skills stream, the visa is also typically granted for up to four years, though the processing and grant timelines differ from Core Skills.
Can 482 visa holders include family members in their application?
Yes – spouses, de facto partners, and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants in a 482 visa application, and in most cases we recommend including all eligible family members at the time of lodgement rather than leaving it for later. Family members included in the application at lodgement are generally entitled to live, work, and study in Australia for the duration of the primary visa holder’s stay. Dependent children can attend Australian schools, and secondary applicants have full work rights – they are not restricted to any particular employer or industry.
What English language requirements apply to the 482 visa?
English language proficiency is a core requirement for the 482 visa, and it is one of the things applicants should address early in their preparation – particularly because test bookings can take several weeks and results can take time to be issued. For most applicants, competent English must be demonstrated through an approved language test. The most commonly used tests are IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
Does the 482 visa lead to permanent residency?
For most skilled workers on a 482 visa, permanent residency is not just a possibility – it is the plan. The 482 visa is designed as a temporary pathway that, for eligible workers, connects directly to Australian permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 visa. The most common route is the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the 186 visa.
Can a 482 visa holder change employers?
Yes – a 482 visa holder can change employers, but the process is more involved than a standard employment change, and the timing needs to be managed carefully to avoid falling into an unlawful status. If a sponsored worker becomes unemployed – whether through resignation, redundancy, or termination – they have up to 180 days to find a new approved employer sponsor, have that new employer lodge a nomination, and either transfer their existing visa or apply for a new one. During this 180-day period, the worker remains lawfully in Australia.
What is the difference between the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams of the 482 visa?
The Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams of the 482 visa serve different segments of the skilled workforce and come with meaningfully different requirements, costs, and timelines. The Core Skills stream is the most widely used and covers 456 occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List. The minimum salary threshold is AUD $76,515 per year for the 2025-26 financial year, rising to AUD $79,499 from 1 July 2026.