Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers where suitably qualified Australian workers are not available.
This visa can allow eligible workers to live and work in Australia temporarily for an approved sponsoring employer, with some applicants later becoming eligible for permanent residency pathways.
- Employer-sponsored temporary visa
- Requires an eligible nominated occupation
- Work experience and English requirements may apply
- May lead to permanent residency pathways
What is the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)?
The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers when they cannot find suitably qualified Australian workers to fill skilled positions.
This visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage visa framework and allows eligible workers to live and work in Australia temporarily while working for an approved sponsoring employer.
Eligible family members may usually be included in the visa application.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants generally need:
- An approved sponsoring employer
- A nominated occupation
- Relevant qualifications or experience
- At least two years of relevant work experience
- English language requirements where applicable
- Health and character requirements
Visa Streams
The visa may include different pathways depending on occupation, income level and sponsorship arrangements.
- Core Skills Stream – for many standard employer-sponsored occupations.
- Specialist Skills Stream – for higher income and specialised roles.
- Labour Agreement Stream – where employers have negotiated labour agreements with the Australian Government.
Employer Sponsorship Requirements
Employers generally need to complete several steps before sponsoring overseas workers:
- Apply for or hold approval as a sponsoring business
- Nominate an eligible occupation
- Demonstrate genuine labour needs
- Meet salary and employment obligations
- Comply with sponsorship obligations
Employee Requirements
Applicants may need to demonstrate:
- Relevant work experience
- Qualifications where required
- Skills assessment in certain occupations
- English language ability
- Health insurance arrangements where applicable
How the Process Works
- Employer sponsorship approval
- Occupation nomination
- Visa application submission
- Department assessment
- Visa outcome
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Some Subclass 482 visa holders may later become eligible for permanent residency through pathways such as the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186), depending on their occupation, employer, work history and visa stream.
Related Employer Sponsored Options
Core Skills Occupation List
Check whether an occupation may be relevant to employer-sponsored visa pathways.
Check Occupation ListEmployer Sponsored Program
Explore employer-sponsored visa pathways including Subclass 482, 186 and 494.
View Employer Sponsored ProgramVisa Application Charges and Processing Times
Visa application charges and processing times change regularly. Applicants should review the latest official information before lodging an application.
Official Visa Application Charges
Check the latest Subclass 482 visa application charges published by the Department of Home Affairs.
View Current Visa ChargesOfficial Visa Processing Times
Processing times vary depending on the application, supporting documents and Department workload.
View Processing TimesFrequently Asked Questions
Does Subclass 482 require employer sponsorship?
Yes. Applicants generally need to be sponsored by an approved Australian employer and nominated for an eligible occupation.
Can I include my family members in a Subclass 482 application?
In many cases, eligible family members may be included in the visa application, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
Can a Subclass 482 visa lead to permanent residency?
Some Subclass 482 visa holders may later qualify for permanent residency through pathways such as the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186), depending on eligibility.
Do I need a skills assessment for Subclass 482?
Some occupations require a skills assessment. Whether this applies depends on the occupation, visa stream and the applicant’s circumstances.
What does the employer need to do for a Subclass 482 visa?
The employer generally needs to be an approved sponsor, nominate an eligible occupation and comply with sponsorship, salary and employment obligations.
Book an Employer Sponsored Visa Consultation
Need advice on employer sponsorship or Subclass 482 eligibility?
