Visa subclass 482 · Employer-sponsored · temporary
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand: 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa from 7 December 2024 as part of the Migration Strategy reforms. It is employer-sponsored, temporary (up to 4 years) and structured around three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Essential Skills.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 482 Skills in Demand is a temporary visa for employer-sponsored applicants.
- ✓No points test – eligibility is sponsorship + skills assessment + work experience based.
- ✓Processing: 3 months median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $3,115.
- ✓Path to PR: PR via subclass 186 (Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition stream) after 2 years on a Skills in Demand visa with the same sponsor.
At a glance
Stream
temporary, open for new applications
Age limit
No 482 age limit. PR transition via 186 TRT stream has a 45-year age cap with limited exemptions.
Work rights
Work for the sponsoring employer only, in the nominated occupation. Visa-holder can change employers via a new nomination (60-day window applies between sponsors).
Path to PR
PR via subclass 186 (Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition stream) after 2 years on a Skills in Demand visa with the same sponsor. Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams both qualify; rules tighten for Essential Skills (under negotiation Q1 2026).
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor (or Accredited Sponsor)
- Position is genuine and listed in the relevant occupation list (Core Skills Occupation List for the Core stream; no list cap for the Specialist Skills stream at the high-income threshold)
- Salary at or above the relevant income threshold (CSIT for Core: $76,515 from July 2025; Specialist Skills: at or above the Specialist threshold around $135,000)
- At least 1 year of full-time relevant work experience in the last 5 years (down from 2 years under the old 482 TSS rules)
- Competent English (IELTS 5 each band or equivalent; varying minimums per stream)
- Positive skills assessment if required for the occupation (mandatory for some trades; not required for many ANZSCO 1–2 occupations)
- Meet health and character requirements
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 3 months | 7 months |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $3,115 |
| Partner (secondary) | $3,115 |
| Child (secondary) | $780 |
Plus Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy paid by the sponsor: $1,200/year for small businesses, $1,800/year for others. Paid upfront for the full visa term.
In depth
What you actually need to know
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is the post-December 2024 replacement for the 482 TSS visa. Same subclass number, new structure. The three streams – Specialist, Core and Essential – replace the old Short-Term (STSOL) and Medium-Term (MLTSSL) streams and target different segments of the labour market.
Specialist Skills is for senior, specialist roles paid above a high-income threshold (around $135,000 as at January 2026, indexed). There is no occupation list; any non-trade occupation paid at that level qualifies. Median Specialist processing time targets are 7 days. This stream is designed for tech, finance and senior corporate roles that previously sat awkwardly on the old 482 MLTSSL pathway.
Core Skills is the workhorse stream covering most 482 applications. Occupations must be on the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the salary must be at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), $76,515 from 1 July 2025. The Essential Skills stream covers occupations below the CSIT in critical care sectors (aged care, disability care) and is being negotiated with unions – final form expected mid-2026.
Sponsorship sits with the employer, who must be (or become) an approved Standard Business Sponsor. The SAF levy ($1,200–$1,800/year) is paid by the employer, not the worker, and is non-refundable. The 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor (up from 60 in December 2024, was 60 under old 482 rules) is a critical protection if the employer collapses or terminates the worker.
Visa conditions to know
- 8107: work only for the nominating employer in the nominated occupation
- 8501: maintain adequate health insurance
- 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor if employment ends
Occupations covered
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) replaced MLTSSL/STSOL/ROL for 482 from December 2024. Specialist Skills stream has no occupation list – any non-trade occupation paid at or above the Specialist threshold qualifies.
Pathway to permanent residence
PR via subclass 186 (Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition stream) after 2 years on a Skills in Demand visa with the same sponsor. Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams both qualify; rules tighten for Essential Skills (under negotiation Q1 2026).
Common questions
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – common questions
Is the 482 still called TSS?
Not from 7 December 2024. The subclass number stays 482 but the visa is now officially the Skills in Demand visa with three new streams (Specialist Skills, Core Skills, Essential Skills). Older agents and HR teams still call it TSS out of habit. The 482 TSS rules continue to apply to applications lodged before 7 December 2024.
Do I get PR after 482?
PR is via subclass 186 (Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition stream). TRT requires 2 years on the 482 with the same sponsor and the sponsor agreeing to nominate you. Direct Entry has tighter skills assessment and English requirements but no minimum 482 time. Under Skills in Demand reforms, both Specialist and Core streams retain a clear 186 pathway.
Can my partner work on a 482?
Yes. The 482 secondary applicant has unrestricted work rights from grant – your partner can take any job, including starting a business, while you work for your sponsor.
What if I get sacked while on a 482?
You have a 60-day grace period from the date your employment ends to find a new approved sponsor (who must lodge a fresh nomination), apply for a different visa, or depart Australia. Missing the 60 days means you become unlawful, which has serious consequences for future visa eligibility. Get to a migration agent on day one.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 482. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-482 →
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