The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) lets an eligible Australian business sponsor an overseas worker to fill a genuine skilled position it has been unable to fill locally.
It's a temporary visa, but for many holders it becomes a stepping stone: time spent working for the sponsoring employer can later count towards a permanent employer-sponsored visa such as the subclass 186.
The visa runs for up to four years for most nominations (two years in some cases), and up to five years for eligible Hong Kong passport holders. While it's current, you can work in your nominated role, apply for permanent residence if you become eligible, and travel to and from Australia freely.
This visa is aimed at skilled workers who already have, or can secure, a genuine job offer from an Australian employer — rather than people applying independently on the strength of their own skills and points, which is the territory of the skilled visa program instead.
Which stream applies depends on the occupation and the salary on offer.
For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List. The employer must pay at least the Core Skills Income Threshold — currently AUD $79,423 per year — or the going market rate for the role, whichever is higher.
For highly skilled roles outside the standard occupation lists, where the employer offers a salary at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold — currently AUD $146,717 per year.
For employers who hold a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government, which can set its own occupation, salary, English or age concessions specific to that agreement.
Because the visa ties you to your sponsor, changing occupation generally means a fresh nomination and, in most cases, a new visa application — it isn't simply a case of notifying the Department.
The sponsoring business needs to show it operates lawfully in Australia, that the role is genuine, and that it has made reasonable efforts to consider Australian candidates first. It also pays a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy for the nomination — currently around $1,200 per year for smaller businesses (turnover under $10 million) and $1,800 per year for larger ones, though the exact figure depends on the nomination period and should be confirmed at the time of lodgement.
A spouse or de facto partner and dependent children — including a partner's children who rely on you — can usually be included in the same application, provided any child included can show they genuinely depend on you. Family members can't simply be added after the primary application has been lodged; anyone left out at that stage would need to apply separately later as a subsequent entrant, with their own application and fee.
Many subclass 482 holders eventually move onto the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), typically through its Temporary Residence Transition stream once they've worked for their sponsor for long enough. It isn't automatic — the permanent visa has its own eligibility criteria that need to be met at the time of that later application.
The employer becomes, or already is, an approved sponsor.
The employer nominates the specific position and the worker, with evidence about the business, the role and the salary.
Where the occupation requires it, the worker obtains a positive skills assessment before applying.
The worker demonstrates the required English level (unless exempt) and completes health and character checks.
The visa application is lodged with supporting documents, assessed by the Department, and a decision issued.
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Contact me to talk through whether the Skills in Demand visa fits your situation.
The information on this page is general only and doesn't constitute migration advice for your circumstances. Income thresholds, levy amounts, occupation lists and visa requirements are reviewed periodically and can change without notice. Meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee a nomination or visa will be approved.
