The subclass 482 visa has changed significantly since its Temporary Skill Shortage days, and 2026 has brought further updates that employers need to understand before sponsoring an overseas worker. This guide sets out exactly where things stand right now.
We cover the current streams, salary thresholds, occupation list, fees, processing times and the pathway to permanent residency, along with what has actually changed recently versus what is often reported incorrectly online.
A Quick History: From TSS to Skills in Demand
The visa most people still refer to as the 482 visa has gone through a genuine structural change in recent years.
On 7 December 2024, the Skills in Demand visa, known as the SID visa, officially replaced the older Temporary Skill Shortage visa, still operating under the same subclass 482 number. Any nomination lodged before that date continued to be assessed under the old TSS rules, while everything since has run under the new Skills in Demand framework.
This means when people ask about “482 visa requirements” today, they are really asking about the Skills in Demand visa, since the old TSS visa is now closed to new applications entirely.
The Three Streams of the Current 482 Visa
The Skills in Demand visa operates across three distinct streams, each with different requirements and a different practical experience for employers.
Core Skills Stream
This is the most commonly used stream, covering occupations that appear on the Core Skills Occupation List, known as the CSOL. This list covers over 450 occupations across professional, trade and technical categories.
Specialist Skills Stream
This stream is designed for higher paid roles and does not require the occupation to sit on any occupation list at all. Instead, eligibility is based purely on the guaranteed salary meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream covers nominations made under a specific negotiated Labour Agreement, such as the Dairy Industry Labour Agreement, the Meat Industry Labour Agreement, or a regional Designated Area Migration Agreement, each with its own agreed occupations and terms.
Current Salary Thresholds
Salary requirements sit at the centre of eligibility for most 482 visa nominations.
The Core Skills Income Threshold, known as CSIT, currently sits at 79,423 Australian dollars per year. This applies to the Core Skills stream, and also underpins salary settings for the Subclass 186 and Subclass 494 visas.
The Specialist Skills Income Threshold, known as SSIT, currently sits at 146,576 Australian dollars per year. This applies specifically to the Specialist Skills stream.
In every case, employers must pay whichever figure is higher between the relevant threshold and the genuine market salary rate for the role in that location. A business cannot simply pay the minimum threshold if comparable local roles typically earn more.
Both thresholds are indexed annually, so the applicable figure depends on when a nomination is actually lodged, not when planning began.
Occupation Requirements
Eligibility under the Core Skills stream depends entirely on whether the nominated occupation appears on the Core Skills Occupation List, which replaced the older Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List and Short-term Skilled Occupation List when the Skills in Demand visa was introduced.
This single, unified list was developed by Jobs and Skills Australia based on labour market analysis and stakeholder consultation, and it now governs eligibility for both the Core Skills stream of the 482 visa and the Direct Entry stream of the Subclass 186 visa.
The Specialist Skills stream, by contrast, does not use any occupation list, since eligibility depends purely on the salary offered.
Because occupation lists are reviewed periodically, we always recommend confirming the current status of any specific occupation directly through the Department of Home Affairs before starting a nomination.
Work Experience and English Requirements
Applicants generally need at least twelve months of full time equivalent work experience in the nominated occupation, gained within the five years before the nomination is lodged. Relevant part time or casual work can count toward this, provided it meets the equivalent full time hour requirements.
Standard English language requirements apply at Competent English level, broadly equivalent to an overall band score of five in each component of a recognised test. Some Labour Agreements set their own, sometimes more flexible, English requirements for specific occupations.
A useful concession also applies for higher earning nominees. Applicants with guaranteed annual earnings above a set threshold are generally exempt from formal English testing altogether, which is particularly relevant for senior professionals and intra corporate transferees.
Visa Duration
The Skills in Demand visa is generally granted for up to four years, giving sponsored workers a genuinely useful period of stay and stability, along with a realistic runway to plan toward permanent residency.
Current Visa Fees
Visa application charges increased across almost every visa subclass from the most recent fee update, and the 482 visa was no exception.
| Applicant Type | Who Pays | Current Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | Applicant | AUD 4,015 |
| Adult dependant, 18 years and over | Applicant | AUD 4,015 |
| Child dependant, under 18 years | Applicant | AUD 1,005 |
Alongside the visa application charge, employers must budget for Standard Business Sponsorship charges, nomination application charges, and the Skilling Australians Fund levy, which is a mandatory training contribution paid by the sponsor.
Processing Times Vary Significantly by Stream
One of the most important practical realities of the current system is how differently the three streams process.
Specialist Skills stream nominations, where the salary clearly exceeds the threshold and no occupation list assessment is needed, can sometimes be processed in a matter of days.
Core Skills stream nominations, particularly where the occupation, salary evidence or supporting documentation needs closer review, can take considerably longer, sometimes stretching toward the better part of a year in busier periods.
This divergence has become a genuine planning consideration for employers. Where a role and salary genuinely qualify for the Specialist Skills stream, it is often worth structuring the nomination that way purely for processing speed, quite apart from the occupation list flexibility it also offers.
The Pathway to Permanent Residency
Most 482 visa holders aim to eventually transition to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Visa, specifically the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Following a recent policy change, the minimum period of employment required with the sponsoring employer for this pathway was reduced from three years to two years, which has meaningfully shortened the realistic timeline for many workers and eased retention planning for employers.
Standard requirements still apply alongside this shorter period, including competent English language ability and generally being under 45 years of age at the time of application.
Comparing the Three Streams at a Glance
| Feature | Core Skills Stream | Specialist Skills Stream | Labour Agreement Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation list | Core Skills Occupation List | None required | Set by the specific agreement |
| Salary floor | 79,423 dollars | 146,576 dollars | Set by the specific agreement |
| Typical processing speed | Slower, sometimes several months | Generally fast, sometimes days | Varies by agreement |
| Best suited for | Most standard sponsored roles | Senior, high paid professionals | Industries with a dedicated agreement, such as dairy, meat or DAMA regions |
What This Means for Different Industries
The Core Skills Occupation List and current threshold settings affect a wide range of industries differently, and we have covered several in detail elsewhere.
Healthcare employers sponsoring roles such as physiotherapists and midwives generally rely on the Core Skills stream, since these roles typically sit below the Specialist Skills threshold.
Technology employers sponsoring software developers and software engineers often see a genuine split, with senior engineers sometimes qualifying for the faster Specialist Skills stream.
Construction and resources employers sponsoring engineers or tradespeople generally use the Core Skills stream, though regional projects may also consider the Subclass 494 visa instead.
Automotive workshops sponsoring mechanics and agricultural employers using a DAMA or the Dairy and Meat Industry Labour Agreements each have their own occupation and concession settings worth understanding in detail.
Employer Eligibility Before Nominating Anyone
Before any of the streams above become relevant, a business must first hold Standard Business Sponsorship approval from the Department of Home Affairs.
This involves demonstrating that the business is lawfully operating, financially viable, and genuinely able to support the sponsored position. Standard Business Sponsorship approval generally lasts for a period of years and covers the business for multiple future nominations, rather than needing to be renewed for every individual hire.
The nominated position itself must also be genuine, meaning it is a real, ongoing role that the business actually needs filled, rather than a role created primarily to bring a particular individual into the country.
Ongoing Sponsor Obligations
Sponsoring a worker under the 482 visa is not a one time task. Employers take on a number of ongoing obligations for the life of the sponsorship.
- Paying at least the salary stated in the nomination, adjusted appropriately over time in line with market movements.
- Keeping accurate records relating to the sponsored worker and the nomination.
- Notifying the Department of certain changes, such as the worker ceasing employment or changing role.
- Covering the cost of return travel in some circumstances.
- Not passing sponsorship related costs, such as the Skilling Australians Fund levy, onto the sponsored worker.
Failing to meet these obligations can lead to sanctions against the sponsoring business, including restrictions on future sponsorship, so many employers choose ongoing compliance support rather than managing this alone.
Family Members and Travel Rights
Sponsored workers can generally include eligible family members as dependants on the same visa application, including a partner and dependent children, who are also able to work and study in Australia during the visa period.
Visa holders also generally retain the ability to travel into and out of Australia freely during the life of the visa, without needing to apply for a separate travel authorisation each time, which offers genuine flexibility for workers who need to travel for family or business reasons while sponsored.
What Has Actually Changed Recently, Versus What Has Not
With so much commentary online about the 482 visa, it is worth being clear about what has genuinely changed recently, as opposed to older information still circulating.
What has changed includes the shift from the old TSS visa to the Skills in Demand framework, the introduction of the unified Core Skills Occupation List, the annual indexation of both salary thresholds, the recent fee increases, and the reduction in the minimum employment period for the Subclass 186 pathway from three years to two.
What has not changed includes the fundamental three part process of sponsorship, nomination and visa application, the general four year maximum visa duration, and the underlying requirement that the position be genuine and the salary meet the relevant threshold.
Employers relying on older articles or outdated advice should treat any specific dollar figure, occupation list reference, or processing time estimate with caution, and confirm the current position before making decisions.
Common Mistakes Employers Make
Many of the delays we see at Migration Republic come from a small number of recurring mistakes.
- Assuming the old TSS visa rules still apply, rather than the current Skills in Demand framework.
- Structuring a clearly high paying role under the Core Skills stream when the Specialist Skills stream would process faster.
- Paying the minimum threshold without checking the genuine market rate for the role.
- Not confirming whether the nominated occupation still sits on the current Core Skills Occupation List.
- Underestimating how long Core Skills stream processing can take in busier periods.
Expert Tips From Migration Republic
Based on years of experience supporting employers across many industries, a few practical tips consistently make a difference.
Check both the occupation list and the salary threshold early, since either one alone does not confirm eligibility.
Where a role is genuinely high paying, seriously consider the Specialist Skills stream for the processing speed advantage alone.
Plan permanent residency timelines around the current two year employment requirement, rather than outdated advice referencing the old three year rule.
Keep a close eye on the annual 1 July threshold and fee updates, since these change the numbers you need to plan around every year.
A Simple Way to Check Eligibility Before You Start
Before committing time and money to a sponsorship application, it is worth confirming basic eligibility early.
The Subclass 482 Checker tool from Immigration Agent Near Me is a genuinely useful starting point for employers and candidates alike. It gives a quick indication of whether a role and candidate profile may be suitable for the 482 visa pathway, before you invest further time in a full application.
How Migration Republic Supports Employers
At Migration Republic, we help employers across healthcare, technology, construction, resources, agriculture and many other industries navigate the current Skills in Demand visa framework.
We can help you confirm which stream suits your role, check current occupation list and salary settings, and plan a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Visa, the Subclass 494 Visa or the Subclass 491 Visa depending on your industry and location.
We also work alongside related processes such as an Expression of Interest submission and broader Employer Sponsorship strategy, so your business has one point of contact across the whole journey.
Key Takeaways
- The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024, and now governs all new subclass 482 nominations.
- The Core Skills Income Threshold currently sits at 79,423 dollars, and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold at 146,576 dollars.
- The Core Skills Occupation List has replaced the older MLTSSL and STSOL lists for the Core Skills stream.
- Processing times differ significantly between streams, with Specialist Skills cases often moving far faster than Core Skills cases.
- The minimum employment period for the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition pathway has been reduced from three years to two years.
FAQs
Is the 482 visa the same as the old TSS visa? Not exactly. The subclass number is the same, but since 7 December 2024, all new nominations are assessed under the Skills in Demand framework, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa rules.
What is the current salary threshold for the 482 visa? The Core Skills Income Threshold currently sits at 79,423 dollars per year, and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold sits at 146,576 dollars per year, depending on the stream used.
Does every 482 nomination need to be on an occupation list? No. Only the Core Skills stream requires the occupation to sit on the Core Skills Occupation List. The Specialist Skills stream has no occupation list requirement at all.
How long does 482 visa processing take in 2026? It varies significantly by stream. Specialist Skills stream cases can sometimes be processed within days, while Core Skills stream cases can take considerably longer, sometimes several months.
How much work experience is required for a 482 visa? Generally at least twelve months of full time equivalent work experience in the nominated occupation, gained within the five years before the nomination is lodged.
What English level is required for the 482 visa? Competent English is generally required, broadly equivalent to a band score of five in each component of a recognised test, though some Labour Agreements set different requirements.
How long can someone stay on a 482 visa? The visa is generally granted for up to four years.
How long until a 482 visa holder can get permanent residency? Following a recent policy change, workers can generally apply through the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after two years of employment with the sponsoring employer, down from the previous three years.
What fees currently apply to the 482 visa? Current visa application charges are 4,015 dollars for the main applicant, 4,015 dollars for an adult dependant, and 1,005 dollars for a child dependant, alongside separate sponsorship, nomination and Skilling Australians Fund levy costs.
Which stream should an employer use for a high paying role? Where the salary clearly exceeds the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, that stream is often the better choice, since it skips the occupation list requirement and generally processes faster.
Conclusion
The subclass 482 visa has changed meaningfully since its Temporary Skill Shortage days, and staying current with the Skills in Demand framework, the correct thresholds and the right stream for each role makes a real difference to how smoothly a sponsorship goes.
Getting the details right, from choosing the correct stream through to planning realistically around current processing times, is what separates a fast, smooth sponsorship from a frustrating one.
If your business needs help navigating the current 482 visa requirements, the team at Migration Republic can help.
We support employers through every stage of employer sponsored visas, including the Subclass 482 Visa, Subclass 186 Visa, Subclass 494 Visa and Subclass 491 Visa, along with practical guidance on skilled migration support and employer sponsorship strategy.
Book a consultation with Migration Republic today and take the next step toward sponsoring the right talent for your business.
