The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482) has officially evolved into the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482), marking a major shift in Australia’s employer-sponsored migration framework.
Administered by the Department of Home Affairs, the Skills in Demand visa allows Australian businesses to address genuine skill shortages by sponsoring overseas workers where local labour is unavailable.
At Migration Republic, we assist Australian employers and skilled workers Australia-wide with compliant, strategic, and future-focused visa solutions, ensuring all Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) and ongoing compliance obligations are met.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): Current Visa Streams
The former Short-Term stream has been abolished. The Skills in Demand visa now operates under the following streams:
1. Core Skills Stream (CSOL)
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is now the primary occupation list for most Subclass 482 visa applications.
Key requirements:
- The nominated occupation must be listed on the CSOL
- Visa validity up to 4 years, depending on occupation and nomination
- Employer sponsorship is mandatory
- Labour Market Testing (LMT) and market salary compliance apply
This stream has effectively replaced the former short-term TSS visa framework.
2. Specialist Skills Stream
Designed for high-income, highly skilled professionals, including senior executives and technical specialists.
Key features:
- Higher minimum salary threshold
- Less restrictive occupation requirements
- Priority processing in many cases
This stream is ideal for employers seeking to sponsor senior or niche specialists.
3. Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement stream continues for employers who:
- Cannot fill roles locally
- Do not meet standard SID visa requirements
- Hold a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government
Labour Agreements allow flexibility in occupations, salary thresholds, and concessions, subject to approval.
Family Members on a Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa
Family members may be included in the visa application, subject to conditions:
- Dependent children must be under 23 years of age
- All family members must meet health and character requirements
- Ongoing visa compliance is required throughout the visa period
Standard Business Sponsorship & Sponsorship Accreditation (SBS)
Australian employers must first obtain Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval to legally sponsor overseas workers under the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa. SBS approval confirms that the business is lawfully operating, financially viable, and capable of meeting its sponsorship and compliance obligations, including record-keeping, notification requirements, and ongoing monitoring by the Department of Home Affairs.
Eligible employers may then apply for Sponsorship Accreditation, which offers:
- Faster nomination and visa processing
- Priority handling by the Department of Home Affairs
- Reduced administrative delays and streamlined case management
Migration Republic regularly assists businesses with SBS applications, sponsorship accreditation, renewals, and ongoing compliance management, ensuring employers remain fully compliant while accessing skilled overseas talent efficiently.
Changing Employers or Occupations (Condition 8607) for SC 482
Skills in Demand visa holders are subject to Condition 8607, which restricts them to:
- Working only for their approved sponsor
- Performing duties strictly within the nominated occupation
If employment or occupation changes:
- In some cases, a new visa application is required
- A new nomination must be lodged
Who Is Affected by the Skills in Demand Visa Changes?
These changes impact:
- HR teams and compliance managers navigating Home Affairs requirements
- Australian businesses sponsoring overseas workers
- Employers holding or applying for SBS approval
- Skilled migrants seeking an Australian work visa
Minimum Work Experience Requirement
Primary applicants must demonstrate:
- Experience must be closely related to the nominated CSOL occupation
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience
- Experience can be full time, part time or casual equavalent to 1 year full time
Health and Character Requirements
All applicants must meet Australia’s health and character criteria, including:
- Compliance with Public Interest Criterion (PIC) requirements
- Police clearance certificates (where applicable)
Labour Market Testing (LMT) Requirements
Labour Market Testing remains mandatory, unless an exemption applies.
Key rules:
- Evidence must show genuine attempts to recruit Australian workers
- Advertising must occur within 4 months prior to nomination lodgement
Market Salary Rate & Income Thresholds (2026)
Key salary requirements include:
- Market salary data (where applicable)
- TSMIT: AUD 76,515
- High-income exemption applies where earnings exceed AUD 250,000
- Salaries must align with: Fair Work instruments; State industrial awards; Market salary data (where applicable)
Training Obligations & SAF Levy
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy applies to:
- Standard Business Sponsors
- Labour Agreement sponsors
The SAF levy replaces previous training benchmarks and supports skills development for Australian workers.
Training Obligations & SAF Levy
English language requirements apply to most applicants:
- Test results must be less than 3 years old
- Minimum scores apply across all components depending on the type of test taken
Sponsor Notification Obligations
Sponsors must notify the Department of Home Affairs within 28 days of events such as:
- Employment cessation
- Changes to business structure or ownership
Sponsor Notification Obligations
- Via ImmiAccount, or
- By email to sponsor.notifications@abf.gov.au
Postal notifications are no longer accepted.
How Migration Republic Can Assist
At Migration Republic, our registered migration agents provide expert support for:
- Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visas
- Business Sponsorship & SBS compliance
- Employer immigration strategies
- Long-term workforce and PR planning
