Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa: A Guide for Employers
Information current as at October 2026. Rules, fees and lists change often, so check your circumstances with us before you act.
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) lets Australian employers sponsor skilled overseas workers for up to four years when they cannot find a suitable Australian worker. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 and is now the main temporary work visa for sponsored staff. Workers on a 482 can move to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) after two years.
This guide is written for employers. It covers the three streams, the income thresholds from 1 July 2026, labour market testing, the nomination process, costs and the most common mistakes. Need advice on your situation? You can book a consultation with our employer team.
The three 482 streams
The stream is decided by the salary you offer and the occupation. All three streams allow a visa of up to four years and a pathway to permanent residence.
- For roles where the guaranteed annual earnings are at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) of $146,576 (from 1 July 2026).
- The occupation does not need to be on an occupation list, but trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers (ANZSCO major groups 3, 7 and 8) are excluded.
- Salary must also be at least the annual market salary rate for the role.
- Specialist Skills applications are the second highest processing priority under Ministerial Direction 121.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Employer (sponsorship and nomination) | Worker (visa) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship | Approved standard business sponsor or party to a labour agreement | Nominated by that sponsor |
| Position | Genuine, full time (or a genuine part time role where allowed) and in the nominated occupation | Will work in the nominated occupation |
| Salary | At least the market rate and the CSIT ($79,423) or SSIT ($146,576) | Must be paid as nominated |
| Labour market testing | Usually required: two advertisements within the four months before nomination | Not applicable |
| Work experience | Not applicable | At least one year of relevant experience (or as set by a labour agreement) |
| Skills | Not applicable | Skills assessment for some occupations and passport countries |
| English | Not applicable | Must meet the 482 English requirement unless exempt |
| Health and character | Not applicable | Standard checks for the worker and family members |
The annual market salary rate is what an Australian doing the same job in the same location would earn. You can show it with an enterprise agreement, your own pay records for equivalent Australian employees, or independent salary data. The higher of the market rate and the income threshold always applies.
How the process works
Government costs
| Item | Charge from 1 July 2026 | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship | $420 | Employer |
| Nomination fee | $330 | Employer |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under $10 million | $1,200 for each year (or part year) of the visa | Employer |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover $10 million or more | $1,800 for each year (or part year) of the visa | Employer |
| Visa, main applicant | $4,015 | Worker or employer |
| Visa, each family member aged 18 or over | $4,015 | Worker or employer |
| Visa, each family member under 18 | $1,005 | Worker or employer |
| Subsequent temporary application charge (where it applies) | $700 per person | Worker or employer |
The sponsorship, nomination and SAF levy must be paid by the employer and cannot be recovered from the worker. The visa charges can be paid by either party. For a full budget with worked examples, see sponsorship costs and timelines.
Processing priorities from 19 September 2026
Ministerial Direction 121 sets the order in which 482 visa applications are processed. Applications in priority sectors (including construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, resources, and some law enforcement and defence roles) are first, followed by Specialist Skills applications, then applications where the worker is in Australia, then other offshore applications. The priority sector is set by the nominated occupation, not by the industry your business is in. Nominations themselves are not prioritised, and accredited sponsors no longer receive priority.
In practice, a complete, decision ready nomination and visa application is still the biggest factor you control.
While your worker holds a 482
- You must pay at least the nominated salary and provide terms no less favourable than an Australian in the same role would receive.
- The worker must work in the nominated occupation. If their role changes significantly, or you want to promote them to a different occupation, lodge a new nomination first.
- If the employment ends, you must notify Home Affairs within 28 days. The worker generally has up to 180 days at a time (365 days in total over the visa) to find a new sponsor, apply for another visa or leave Australia, and can work for other employers during that time.
- Another employer can sponsor your worker by lodging its own nomination. You cannot stop a worker from changing sponsors.
Read more about sponsor obligations and compliance and, for workers, leaving a visa sponsor.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 482 still called the TSS visa?
No. The TSS visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand visa on 7 December 2024. The subclass number (482) stayed the same, and workers who still hold a TSS visa keep it until it expires, with the same sponsor obligations.
How long can we sponsor someone for?
Up to four years in all three streams. You choose the nomination period, and the SAF levy is calculated on that period.
Do we have to advertise if we already know the person we want?
Usually yes. Labour market testing applies to most 482 nominations even when you have a candidate. Exemptions are limited, for example where an international trade obligation applies. See labour market testing.
Can a 482 worker work part time?
The nomination is assessed on the guaranteed annual earnings, and most positions are full time. A genuine part time arrangement can sometimes be accepted if the earnings still meet the threshold and the market rate. Ask us before you nominate.
What happens after two years?
If the worker has at least two years of full time work in the nominated occupation while holding the 482 (only time employed by an approved sponsor counts), you can nominate them for permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream. See the 186 guide.
Can we sponsor a worker who is currently on a student or graduate visa?
Yes, if they meet the visa requirements, including one year of relevant work experience. Recent graduates are often sponsored after working for the business on a Temporary Graduate (485) visa.
Can we use a labour hire arrangement?
Only through an on-hire labour agreement. Under the standard streams the worker must be employed directly by the sponsor (or an associated entity where allowed).
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