Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) — Australia 2026 Complete Guide
The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482), formerly known as the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa, is Australia's primary temporary employer-sponsored skilled work visa. It allows approved Australian employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers when they cannot source suitably qualified Australian workers, for a period of up to four years.
What is the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa?
As of December 2024, the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa was renamed the Skills in Demand (SID) visa — you will commonly see it referred to as “Skills in Demand visa (formerly TSS Subclass 482)”. It lets an Australian employer sponsor you to work in a nominated occupation for up to 4 years, with a clear route to permanent residence via the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.
Three Streams of the 482 Visa
Core Skills Stream
- For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- Minimum 12 months full-time relevant work experience in the last 5 years
- Visa duration up to 4 years
- Pathway to permanent residence via Subclass 186 TRT after 2 years
Specialist Skills Stream
- No fixed occupation list — eligibility is income-based
- Requires salary at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (AUD 135,000+ in 2026)
- Designed for highly skilled or niche specialist roles
- Visa duration up to 4 years
Labour Agreement Stream
- For employers with a bespoke labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs
- Conditions (occupation, salary, English) are set by the specific agreement
- Common in sectors with tailored workforce arrangements
- Visa duration and conditions vary by agreement
482 Visa Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Must:
- Have an approved Australian sponsor
- Be nominated in an eligible occupation for the relevant stream
- Have a minimum of 12 months relevant full-time work experience in the last 5 years
- Meet the English language requirement for the visa (generally Competent English)
- Meet health and character requirements
- Be paid at or above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT: AUD 73,150 from 1 July 2026) or the Annual Market Salary Rate, whichever is higher
Employer Must:
- Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
- Pay the AUD 420 sponsorship application fee
- Pay the AUD 330 nomination fee per position
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — AUD 1,200 per visa year for small business (turnover under AUD 10M), AUD 1,800 per visa year for large business (turnover AUD 10M or more)
English Language, Health and Character Requirements
- English: requirement varies by stream, but most roles require Competent English.
- Health: a medical examination is required for the main applicant and included family members.
- Character: a police clearance is required from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more.
- Family: your partner and dependent children can be included in your application.
Pathway to Permanent Residence via Subclass 186
The most common pathway from a 482 visa to permanent residence is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. After 2 years of full-time employment with the same sponsoring employer in the same occupation, most 482 holders are eligible to apply.
Step 1
482 Visa Granted
Step 2
2 Years Full-Time Employment
Step 3
186 TRT — Permanent Residence
Read our full step-by-step 482 to 186 TRT pathway guide for eligibility timing, employer nomination tips and common pitfalls.
482 Visa Costs and Fees (2026)
All fees in Australian dollars (AUD). Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
| Fee | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant (18 years and over) | $3,210 |
| Each additional dependent (18 years and over) | $3,210 |
| Each additional dependent (under 18 years) | $805 |
| Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (if applicable) | $700 |
| Employer — Standard Business Sponsorship | $420 |
| Employer — Nomination fee | $330 |
| SAF Levy — small business sponsor (per visa year) | $1,200 |
| SAF Levy — large business sponsor (per visa year) | $1,800 |
482 Visa Processing Time
Processing times vary depending on application completeness and stream. Most 482 applications are assessed within 3–6 months. Specialist Skills stream applications may be processed faster due to the streamlined, income-based assessment criteria. See immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for current published processing times.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 482 Visa
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