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Subclass 482 Skills In Demand (SID) Visa

Temporary skilled work visa for employer-sponsored workers. 4 years duration. Three streams (Specialist / Core / Labour Agreement) + pathway to PR via 186 TRT.

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The Skills In Demand (SID) Subclass 482 Visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when local talent is not available. Eligible workers can live and work in Australia for up to four years, with a clear pathway to permanent residence via Subclass 186 TRT after two years.

The visa offers three distinct streams — Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement — each tailored to different occupation levels, income thresholds, and employer arrangements. Once approved, a sponsorship remains valid for five years and can support multiple workers under the same employer.

Applicants must meet skills, English (IELTS 5.0), and character requirements. The right stream depends on your occupation, salary band, and whether your employer holds a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.

Visa Streams

Specialist Skills Stream

High-level expertise occupations earning AUD $135,000+ annually (plus Super). Excludes trade workers.

Core Skills Stream

Income threshold AUD $73,150+. Occupations must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Labour Agreement Stream

For lower-skilled workers not on CSOL. Requires a Labour Agreement between the employer and the Government.

Eligibility Requirements

For Applicants

At least 1 year full-time work experience (or equivalent) in the nominated occupation within the last 5 years
Meet ANZSCO skills requirements; skills assessment may be needed
IELTS 5.0 overall (no band less than 4.5), or equivalent — passport from UK/IE/CA/NZ/US exempt
Meet medical and character requirements
Be licensed in your occupation if required by law

For Employers (Business Sponsors)

Lawfully operating a business in Australia
Solid record (or demonstrated commitment to) employing local labour
Declare no discriminatory recruitment practices
No adverse information known to the Department of Home Affairs

Eligible Employer Types

Sole traders, partnerships, proprietary (PTY) companies, public companies
Government departments, statutory authorities
Not-for-profit organisations, educational institutions

Application Process

Step 1: Employer becomes approved sponsor

The employer must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor, or be a party to an approved Labour Agreement. Sponsorship approval is valid for 5 years.

Step 2: Employer lodges nomination

The approved sponsor lodges a nomination application identifying the employee, the occupation, and the stream.

Step 3: Employee lodges visa application

The nominated employee lodges a Subclass 482 SID visa application, supported by the approved nomination.

Costs & Processing Time

Fee Item Amount (AUD)

Visa application charge (main applicant) AUD $3,115

Processing Time

Processing times vary by stream and case complexity. Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams generally process faster than Labour Agreement stream. Check Home Affairs for current statistics.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

482 SID

Hold visa for 2 years

Work in Australia under the 482 visa for 2 years. Since 7 Dec 2024 you can work for the same employer or multiple sponsoring employers.

186 TRT

Apply for Subclass 186 (TRT pathway)

Lodge a permanent residence application via the Temporary Residence Transition pathway — the most common 482→PR route.

About the Subclass 482 Skills In Demand (SID) Visa

Temporary skilled work visa for employer-sponsored workers. 4 years duration. Three streams (Specialist / Core / Labour Agreement) + pathway to PR via 186 TRT.

Sponsorship valid for 5 years — sponsor multiple workers

IELTS 5.0 (no band below 4.5), or passport exemption (UK/IE/CA/NZ/US)

Application charge AUD $3,115 (visa subclass 482)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three SID Subclass 482 streams?

Three streams: Specialist Skills (high-level expertise, $135,000+ income), Core Skills (CSOL occupations, $73,150+ income), and Labour Agreement (lower-skilled workers not on CSOL, requires Labour Agreement with the Government).

What are the English language requirements?

IELTS 5.0 overall with no band less than 4.5 (or equivalent). Passport holders from UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand or United States are exempt.

What work experience is required?

At least 1 year of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time/casual) in the nominated occupation, within the 5 years preceding the application.

What is the visa validity period?

Up to 4 years.

How long is the sponsorship approval valid?

Once approved as a Business Sponsor, the approval is valid for 5 years and can be used to sponsor multiple workers under Subclass 482 and Subclass 494.

What is the pathway to permanent residence?

The most common pathway is via the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT). Since 7 December 2024, you only need to hold the 482 visa for 2 years — no requirement to stay with the same employer.

What organisations can become Business Sponsors?

Sole traders, partnerships, PTY and public companies, government departments, statutory authorities, not-for-profit organisations, and educational institutions. There is no size restriction provided the business is lawfully operating and meets financial requirements.

How does an employer enter a Labour Agreement?

A Labour Agreement is a confidential contract negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs, involving multiple stakeholders including unions. Labour Agreements are complex and typically require migration specialist input.

What is the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)?

The CSOL is the list of occupations eligible under the Core Skills Stream. Not all occupations under the old TSS are on CSOL — employers should verify the nominated occupation before lodging.

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