The Subclass 482 visa — now officially called the Skills in Demand (SID) visa — is the primary pathway for Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers. Whether you're an employer struggling to fill a role or a worker looking for a pathway to permanent residency, the 482 is likely your starting point.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the 482 visa in 2026, including the recent changes that have made it significantly more accessible.
What is the Subclass 482 visa?
The 482 visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they can't find a suitable Australian worker. It's a temporary visa that, in most cases, provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa.
The visa has been through several name changes — it was the 457 visa before 2018, then the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, and as of recent reforms, the Skills in Demand visa. The subclass number (482) hasn't changed.
The three streams
1. Specialist Skills stream (formerly Short-term)
For occupations on the Specialist Skills pathway list. Key features:
- Visa granted for up to 4 years
- Salary must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) — currently $73,150/year
- Pathway to permanent residency available after 2 years
- Skills assessment required for most occupations
2. Core Skills stream (formerly Medium-term)
For occupations on the Core Skills pathway list. Key features:
- Visa granted for up to 4 years
- Same TSMIT threshold of $73,150/year
- Direct pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 186
- More occupations available than the Specialist stream
3. Labour Agreement stream
For employers who have negotiated a labour agreement with the Australian Government. This includes DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreements) for regional employers. Labour agreements can offer:
- Access to occupations not on standard lists
- Concessions on salary thresholds, English requirements, and age
- Pathway to permanent residency in most cases
- Particularly valuable for regional employers in areas like the Northern Territory, South Australia, and regional Queensland
Requirements for the employer (sponsor)
Before nominating a worker, the employer must become an approved sponsor. This requires:
- Lawfully operating business — active ABN, financial viability, no adverse history
- No adverse information — no previous sponsorship breaches or sanctions
- Genuine position — the role must be real, ongoing, and match the nominated occupation
- Labour market testing (LMT) — evidence that the employer advertised the position to Australian workers for at least 4 weeks before nominating an overseas worker. Ads must be on at least two platforms, including one national jobs site.
- Training requirements — employers must demonstrate a commitment to training Australian workers
- Non-discriminatory workplace — no history of exploiting sponsored workers
Requirements for the worker (visa applicant)
- Skills assessment — from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation
- Work experience — at least 2 years of relevant full-time work experience (in most cases)
- English language — minimum IELTS 5.0 overall with no band below 4.5 (Specialist/Core streams), though some occupations and labour agreements have different requirements
- Age — under 45 at time of application (with some exemptions)
- Health and character — medical examination and police clearances
- Genuine intention — to work in the nominated occupation for the sponsoring employer
The nomination process
The nomination is a separate application from the visa. The employer nominates the position and the specific worker. Key requirements:
- Position must match an occupation on the relevant skills list
- Salary must meet the TSMIT and be at or above market rate
- Employment terms must be no less favourable than those offered to Australian workers in equivalent positions
- The nomination fee is currently $330
Processing times in 2026
As of early 2026, typical processing times are:
- Sponsor approval: 1-3 months
- Nomination: 1-4 months
- Visa application: 1-6 months (depending on occupation and complexity)
Total time from start to visa grant can range from 3 months (straightforward cases) to 12+ months (complex cases or where additional information is requested). Priority processing is available for some employer-sponsored applications.
Pathway to permanent residency
One of the biggest advantages of the 482 visa is the pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa. Under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream:
- Work for the same employer for at least 2 years on the 482 visa
- Employer nominates you for permanent residency
- Meet salary, skill, and character requirements
- Most applicants receive PR within 6-12 months of applying
This is the pathway that most employer-sponsored workers use to gain permanent residency in Australia.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Inadequate labour market testing — this is the #1 reason nominations are refused. Ads must be specific, recent, and on appropriate platforms.
- Salary below TSMIT — even if the market rate for the role is lower, the salary must meet the $73,150 threshold.
- Weak employment references — DHA wants detailed references confirming dates, duties, and hours. Generic "To Whom It May Concern" letters are often not sufficient.
- Mismatched occupation — the duties in the position description must closely match the ANZSCO occupation definition. Creative job titles with mismatched duties will be refused.
- Delayed applications — skills assessments, police clearances, and health exams all have expiry dates. Start early and coordinate timelines.
Do you need a migration agent?
Technically, no — employers and workers can submit 482 applications themselves through ImmiAccount. Practically, yes — the 482 process involves three separate applications (sponsor, nomination, visa), each with different requirements, and a single mistake can result in refusal and months of delay.
A registered migration agent who regularly handles 482 applications will coordinate all three stages, ensure labour market testing is compliant, prepare the nomination to withstand scrutiny, and manage timelines so nothing expires before the visa is granted.
If you're a migration agent managing 482 applications, LodgeHQ includes employer-sponsored visa templates, document checklists, and workflow automation designed specifically for the multi-stage 482 process.