Skills in Demand visa subclass 482
The employer-sponsored temporary visa, formerly Temporary Skill Shortage. It gets you working in Australia quickly and can lead to permanent residence — but your status is tied to the sponsoring employment, which is the risk worth understanding before you sign anything.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Temporary, employer sponsoredA pathway to permanent residence, not itself permanent
- Streams
- Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour AgreementWhich one applies changes the requirements
- Sponsor needed
- Yes — an approved sponsorWho must also nominate the position
- Leads to
- Subclass 186, Temporary Residence TransitionIf the employment continues and qualifies
- Our fee
- On quoteEmployer and applicant fees quoted separately
Subclass 482
Three streams, three different conversations
The Department runs this visa as Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams. Which one you fall into determines the occupation requirements, the salary the position must attract, and how fast it is likely to move — so identifying the stream correctly is the first real decision.
Core Skills stream
The main pathway, for employers filling a position from the core skills occupation list where they cannot source a suitably skilled Australian worker.
Specialist Skills stream
For higher-paid specialist roles, aimed at moving quickly where the salary and skill level justify it.
Labour Agreement stream
Where the employer is party to a labour agreement, which can vary the standard requirements for a specific industry or region.
Employers sponsoring for the first time
Becoming an approved sponsor, nominating the position properly, and understanding what you are taking on. We advise on the sequence — noting that employer and applicant have separate interests.
Eligibility
What has to be in place
A 482 is three approvals, not one: the sponsor, the nomination, and the visa. Each can fail independently, and a nomination refused for the wrong occupation choice takes the visa with it.
- 01
An approved sponsor
The employer must be, or become, an approved sponsor.
- 02
An approved nomination
For a genuine position, in an occupation eligible under the relevant stream, at the salary the rules require.
- 03
Skills and experience for the occupation
Evidenced, and matching the duties of the nominated position rather than just the job title.
- 04
English at the level the stream requires
The Department sets this per stream, with some exemptions.
- 05
Health and character
Examinations and police certificates for you and any family included.
- 06
Health insurance
Adequate arrangements for the period of your stay.
How we work
What we actually do for you
You should know whether an application is viable before you spend money on it. If it is not yet, we say so and set out what would change that.
- 01
Confirm the stream and the occupation
This determines every requirement that follows, including salary. Get it wrong and the nomination is refused.
- 02
Sponsorship, if the employer is not already approved
A separate application with its own obligations that continue after grant.
- 03
Nomination of the position
Where most refusals happen — genuineness of the position, occupation eligibility and salary evidence.
- 04
The visa application
Your skills, English, health and character, lodged with the nomination or after it.
- 05
Plan the permanent stage early
If permanent residence is the goal, the Temporary Residence Transition route to a 186 has its own timing requirements. Build towards it from day one.
Where it goes wrong
Why these applications fail
Refusals are rarely a surprise in hindsight. These are the patterns we see most, and all four are avoidable with advice before lodgement rather than after a decision.
Occupation chosen to fit the person, not the position
The nomination is assessed on the role. A mismatch between duties and nominated occupation is a refusal risk.
Salary that does not meet the requirement for the stream
The thresholds are set by the Department and are indexed. Confirm the current figure before you commit to a package.
Treating sponsorship obligations as paperwork
They continue for the life of the sponsorship and are monitored. Non-compliance has consequences for the employer and, indirectly, for you.
Not knowing what happens if the job ends
Your visa depends on the sponsoring employment, and there is a limited window to find a new sponsor or move to another visa. Ask before you need the answer.
Fees
What we charge
General information, not personal advice. This page explains how the visa works in general terms. It is not immigration assistance for your circumstances, and reading it does not create a client relationship.
Requirements, thresholds and processing priorities change. The Department of Home Affairs is the authority on current settings, and we confirm them against your case in a consultation. Reviewed August 2026.
Advice on this page is provided by a MARA-registered migration agent, MARN 1793706. In Australia only registered agents may lawfully give immigration assistance for a fee.
Migration agent consultation
60 minutes, in person or online
Full assessment of your options with customised advice. Credited towards your visa professional fee if you proceed.
AUD 150Free for Scholar Hub students
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
Our professional fee
Document preparation, drafting and lodgement, and responses to the Department through to a decision.
On quoteFixed in writing after your consultation
Our professional fees only. They exclude Department of Home Affairs visa application charges, skills assessment fees, English test fees and medical examinations.
See the full pricing page for other services.
Related pathways
Other visas we advise on
Most people are choosing between two or three of these. The immigration services page compares them side by side.
Employer Nomination
186Permanent residence nominated by an employer, in one of three streams.
Skilled Independent
189Points-tested permanent residence with no employer and no state involved.
Skilled Nominated
190Permanent residence with state nomination, which adds points to your score.
Skills assessment
Step oneThe mandatory first step for most skilled visas. Get the occupation right.
Questions
What people ask about the 482
General guidance only, and policy changes. Your own circumstances are assessed in a consultation.