The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024. An approved Australian sponsor nominates you for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List at a salary of at least AUD 79,423, you show one year of relevant experience and English at the required level, and Home Affairs grants up to four years with a route to permanent residence after two.
Who qualifies for the 482 visa? A worker nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (Core Skills stream) paid at least the Core Skills Income Threshold of AUD 79,423 or the annual market salary rate, with at least one year of relevant full-time experience in the last five years, English at IELTS 5.0 overall with 5.0 in each band (or equivalent), a skills assessment where the occupation requires one, and health and character clearances. The Specialist Skills stream covers higher-paid roles above the indexed Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
What does it cost? Worker side: AUD 4,015 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026 plus additional applicant charges for family, the health examination and biometrics. Employer side: sponsorship approval (AUD 420), nomination (AUD 330) and the Skilling Australians Fund levy of AUD 1,200 per year of the visa for businesses under AUD 10 million turnover or AUD 1,800 per year above it; the levy cannot be passed to the worker.
How long does it take from India? Home Affairs publishes updated 50 and 90 percent figures each month and the Core Skills stream typically moves from a few weeks to a few months depending on the sponsor's accreditation and whether a skills assessment or health referral is needed. Accredited sponsors are prioritised. Plan three to five months from the job offer to arrival for a first-time sponsor.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa | Skills in Demand (subclass 482): Core Skills, Specialist Skills or Labour Agreement stream |
| Government fee | AUD 4,015 main applicant (from 1 July 2026) |
| Core Skills Income Threshold | AUD 79,423 from 1 July 2026, or the annual market salary rate if higher |
| Experience | At least 1 year of relevant full-time work in the last 5 years |
| English | IELTS 5.0 overall with 5.0 in each band, or equivalent (Core Skills stream) |
| Employer costs | Sponsorship AUD 420; nomination AUD 330; SAF levy AUD 1,200 or 1,800 per year |
| Visa length | Up to 4 years; dependants can work |
| Permanent residence | Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition after 2 years with any sponsor |
The employer first becomes a Standard Business Sponsor (or holds a labour agreement), then lodges a nomination identifying the occupation by ANZSCO code on the Core Skills Occupation List, the annual market salary rate for that role in that location, and the guaranteed earnings, which must be at least AUD 79,423 and at least the market rate. The nomination also certifies that the employer has paid the Skilling Australians Fund levy and that the position is genuine and full time.
The worker must have at least one year of relevant full-time experience in the nominated or a closely related occupation in the last five years (the rule changed from two years in December 2024), hold the qualifications and any licensing or registration the occupation needs in the state or territory, provide a skills assessment where the occupation and passport combination requires one (many trades and some professions for Indian applicants), and meet English at IELTS 5.0 overall with 5.0 in each band or the equivalent in PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge or OET.
Health examinations are required for the worker and every family member, and police clearances for every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. The visa is tied to the sponsor; if employment ends you have 180 days to find a new sponsor or depart. Partners have unrestricted work rights and children can attend school, with public school fees charged in some states.
| Item | AUD | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa, main applicant | 4,015 | Worker; per current pricing from 1 July 2026 |
| Additional applicant charges | Per pricing table | Worker, for a partner and each child |
| Standard Business Sponsorship | 420 | Employer; valid 5 years |
| Nomination | 330 | Employer, per position |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy | 1,200 per year (turnover under AUD 10m) or 1,800 per year | Employer; cannot be recovered from the worker |
| Health examinations | Panel physician fee | Worker and each dependant |
| Skills assessment where required | Set by the assessing authority | Worker; AUD 500 to 1,500 typical |
Recovering the levy, nomination or sponsorship fee from the worker is a sponsorship obligation breach that can bar the employer from sponsoring. A recruiter asking the worker to pay for a nomination is a warning sign for both sides.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Standard Business Sponsorship (new employer) | Weeks to a few months; accredited sponsors faster |
| Nomination | Usually decided with the visa; priority for accredited sponsors |
| Skills assessment where required | 4 to 12 weeks, before the visa is lodged |
| Visa decision | Weeks to a few months; Home Affairs publishes monthly 50 and 90 percent figures |
| Grant to arrival | Travel at any time; dependants arrive with or after the worker |
Plan three to five months from offer letter to first day for a new sponsor, and six to ten weeks for an accredited sponsor with a worker who already holds a skills assessment.
You can work only in the nominated occupation for the sponsor, but since December 2024 a worker who leaves a sponsor has 180 days (up to 365 days in total across the visa) to find a new sponsor who lodges a fresh nomination, and may work for others in the meantime. Time with any approved sponsor counts towards the permanent residence pathway.
After two years on a 482 visa with a sponsor willing to nominate you, the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream grants permanent residence, subject to age under 45 (with exemptions), English at Competent level (IELTS 6.0 in each band) and the salary thresholds. Skilled regional and state nomination pathways also count 482 time; the [Australia skilled independent route page](/destinations/australia/skilled-independent-visa) covers the points-tested alternative.
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship approval and nomination transaction reference | The visa application is linked to the approved or pending nomination |
| Employment contract | Occupation, ANZSCO code, guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 79,423, hours and location |
| Market salary evidence | Held by the employer: advertisements, enterprise agreement or pay data for the role and location |
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Experience letters | At least one year of relevant full-time work in the last five years; letters on letterhead with duties, dates, hours and pay |
| Qualification certificates and transcripts | Matching the ANZSCO skill level for the occupation |
| Skills assessment | From the relevant assessing authority where the occupation and passport combination requires it |
| Registration or licence | State or territory registration for regulated occupations, or evidence it can be obtained |
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| English test result | IELTS 5.0 overall and in each band, or equivalent, within three years; exemptions for passport holders of listed countries |
| Health examinations | Every applicant with a Bupa-approved panel physician |
| Police clearance certificates | Every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years; the Indian PCC from Passport Seva takes two to four weeks |
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Marriage and birth certificates | Registered certificates with certified translations |
| Family members' passports and health examinations | Each dependant is a separate applicant on the same application |
| Evidence of de facto relationship where unmarried | 12 months of cohabitation evidence, or a registered relationship |
The nominated earnings were below AUD 79,423 or below the annual market salary rate for the role in that location, so the nomination was refused and the visa with it.
The fix. The employer reissues the nomination at a compliant salary supported by market evidence; check the indexed threshold each 1 July.
Letters did not show one year of full-time relevant experience, duties did not match the ANZSCO description, or the work was part time.
The fix. Obtain detailed letters that mirror the ANZSCO tasks with hours and dates, and add pay slips, Form 16 and PF statements to corroborate.
The occupation required a skills assessment or state registration for Indian applicants and none was held at lodgement.
The fix. Check the occupation's requirements on the Core Skills Occupation List page and complete the assessment before lodging; allow 4 to 12 weeks.
Home Affairs doubted the role was genuine and full time, or the sponsor had unmet obligations from earlier sponsorships.
The fix. Employers keep organisation charts, job descriptions and payroll evidence in order and resolve monitoring issues before nominating; workers check the sponsor's standing before accepting.
A test below 5.0 in a band, an expired test, an incomplete health examination or an undeclared conviction.
The fix. Retake the test within validity, complete examinations before lodging and disclose all convictions with court records.
AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026, or the annual market salary rate for the occupation if that is higher. The threshold is indexed each 1 July.
At least one year of relevant full-time work in the nominated or a closely related occupation within the last five years, reduced from two years in December 2024. Part-time work counts pro rata.
Yes. After two years on the visa an employer can nominate you under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream, and time with any approved sponsor counts. Age under 45 and Competent English apply, with exemptions for some high earners.
Yes. Partners included as secondary applicants have unrestricted work rights, and children can attend school, with public school fees charged in some states for temporary residents.
Work routes go to a licence-checked, MARA-registered migration agent on Vistolane who runs the employer's sponsorship and nomination alongside the worker's visa; employers get a salary and occupation check against the Core Skills Occupation List before the offer letter is issued.