Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): The 2026 Guide for Employers and Skilled Workers

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is Australia's main temporary employer-sponsored visa. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024, and it lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled overseas worker for up to four years.

For many of our clients, the 482 is the first step to permanent residence. It is also a visa where mistakes by either the employer or the worker can cause refusals, delays or compliance problems later. This guide explains how it works in 2026.

The three streams

1. Specialist Skills stream

For highly paid skilled workers. The worker's guaranteed annual earnings must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT), which is $146,576 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026. Most occupations are eligible, but trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers are excluded from this stream.

2. Core Skills stream

For most sponsored workers. The occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and the salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is $79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026. The salary must also be at least the market rate that an Australian worker would be paid for the same job.

3. Labour Agreement stream

For workers nominated under a labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government, including Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). Occupations, salaries and concessions depend on the agreement.

The income thresholds are indexed each year on 1 July, so check the figures that apply on the date the nomination is lodged.

The three steps

A 482 visa involves three separate applications:

1. Sponsorship. The employer applies to become a Standard Business Sponsor (or enters a labour agreement). The business must be lawfully and actively operating.
2. Nomination. The employer nominates a genuine position, in an eligible occupation, at the required salary. Labour market testing is usually required before nominating, which means advertising the role in Australia first, unless an exemption applies. The employer also pays the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy at this stage.
3. Visa application. The worker applies for the visa and shows they have the skills, qualifications and English for the role, and meet health and character requirements.

Requirements for the worker

In general, the worker must:

• have the skills and qualifications for the nominated occupation (a formal skills assessment is required for some occupations and passport holders),
• have at least one year of relevant full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent),
• meet the English language requirement (a wider range of English tests has been accepted since September 2025),
• meet health and character requirements, and
• hold adequate health insurance.

The worker can include their partner and dependent children. Family members can generally work and study in Australia.

What does it cost?

From 1 July 2026, the base government visa application charge for the main applicant is $4,015, with additional charges for family members. The employer also pays the sponsorship and nomination fees and the SAF levy. Legal and professional fees are separate. We quote our fees after we understand the role and the people involved.

If the job ends: the 180-day rule

Under the Skills in Demand settings, a sponsored worker whose employment ends generally has up to 180 days at a time, and up to 365 days in total across the visa, to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or leave Australia. During that time the worker can work for another employer. This is more flexible than the old TSS rules, but the clock runs quickly. Get advice early if your job is at risk.

The pathway to permanent residence

A 482 worker can often move to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream. In general, the worker needs at least two years of sponsored full-time work in the three years before applying, must usually be under 45 (some exemptions apply), and must be nominated by their employer. See our subclass 186 guide for details.

Planning for permanent residence from the start, with the right occupation, salary records and job description, makes the later step much easier.

Employer obligations

Sponsors have ongoing obligations, including paying the nominated salary, keeping records, notifying the Department of certain changes within set timeframes, and not passing sponsorship costs on to the worker. The Department monitors sponsors, and breaches can lead to fines, cancellation of sponsorship or bans from sponsoring again.

Common problems we see

• choosing an occupation that does not match the real duties of the job,
• a salary that meets the threshold but not the market rate,
• defective labour market testing advertisements,
• nominations for family members or related parties that do not show a genuine position, and
• workers changing roles or employers without the correct new nomination.

How we can help

Our immigration team includes two Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, and we advise in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We act for both businesses and workers, including family-owned businesses sponsoring key staff from Asia. We can:

• confirm the right stream and occupation,
• prepare the sponsorship, nomination and visa applications,
• plan the pathway to permanent residence, and
• respond to refusals, sponsor monitoring and cancellations.

Learn more about our employer sponsored visa services, contact us, or order an Immigration Strategy Report.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 482 still called the TSS visa?

No. Since 7 December 2024 the subclass 482 visa has been called the Skills in Demand visa. The Short-term and Medium-term streams were replaced by the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams.

What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026?

For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is $79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is $146,576. The salary must also meet the market rate for the role.

How long can I stay on a 482 visa?

Up to four years.

Can I change employers on a 482 visa?

Yes, but your new employer must lodge a new nomination before you start working for them.

Can a 482 visa lead to permanent residence?

Often, yes, usually through the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after two years of sponsored work.

This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Visa requirements, thresholds and fees change regularly. Updated October 2026.