Skills in Demand (SID Visa) Subclass 482

Core Skills Stream – Overview

This visa allows employers to fill labour shortages by hiring skilled overseas workers when suitably qualified Australian candidates are not available.

With this visa, you can:

• Work in Australia for up to 4 years, or up to 5 years if you hold a Hong Kong passport
• Travel to and from Australia unlimited times while the visa is valid
• Apply for permanent residence if you meet the eligibility requirements

You must:

• Be nominated for a role listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• Receive a salary at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
• Have at least one year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• Obtain a relevant skills assessment if your occupation requires it
• Work only for your sponsor or an associated entity, unless exempt
• Meet the minimum English language requirements, unless exempt

ELIGIBILITY

Age – no age requirement for this visa

Be the holder of an appropriate visa

If you are applying within Australia, you must hold:

• A substantive visa, or
• A Bridging Visa A, B, or C

Have complied with previous visa conditions

If you are in Australia when your application is decided, you must have substantially complied with the conditions of your most recent substantive or bridging visa.

Be nominated by an approved sponsor

Before applying for a SID visa, your prospective employer must submit a nomination on your behalf. They can only do this if they are an approved sponsor or have lodged an application to become a Standard Business Sponsor.

Your employer must nominate you for a role listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Work for your nominating employer

If your sponsor is an Australian business:

• You must work in your nominated occupation
• You must be employed by the sponsoring business or an associated entity

If your sponsor is an overseas business:

• You must work in your nominated occupation
• You must be employed by the sponsoring business only (associated entities do not apply)

Note: Certain occupations may be exempt from this requirement.

Have relevant skills, qualifications, and employment background

If you are the primary visa applicant, you must demonstrate that you have the skills and experience necessary to perform your nominated occupation.

• Some applicants are required to complete a skills assessment to prove this – here.
• If a skills assessment is not mandatory, you must still provide other evidence showing you meet the requirements.

Medical Practitioners:

• If your nominated occupation is a medical practitioner, your qualifications must be recognised by the relevant Australian authority for registration, confirming that you are entitled to practise as a medical practitioner in Australia.

Have worked in your nominated occupation or a related field for at least 1 year

You must have at least one year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.

This experience must be gained while working in the nominated occupation or performing tasks at the same skill level in a related field.

Have a positive skills assessment

Some primary SID visa applicants are required to complete a mandatory skills assessment as part of their application. Depending on your nominated occupation, this assessment may be conducted by Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS.

Important requirements:

• If a skills assessment is mandatory, it must be commenced before submitting your visa application; otherwise, your application will be invalid and will not be processed.
• You will need to provide the skills assessment reference number when completing your application form.
• The assessment must have been undertaken or commenced within the 3 years immediately prior to lodging your SID visa application.

It is recommended that you complete the skills assessment before submitting your visa application to help reduce processing delays.

Note:

• Even if a skills assessment is not mandatory, it may still be requested during the visa application process. Any such request will be made in writing.
• A relevant skills assessment is not the same as registration with an appropriate regulatory body.

Have health insurance

Both primary and secondary visa applicants are personally responsible for healthcare costs while in Australia. Having health insurance helps reduce your financial liability.

• You must maintain adequate health cover for the entire duration of your stay if your visa is granted.
• Your insurance should cover medically necessary treatment, including medical transport.
• Maintaining adequate health insurance is a visa condition while you remain in Australia.

Health requirement

All primary and secondary applicants for a SID visa must meet the health requirement. Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months.

English Proficiency (Subclass 482)

When applying for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, primary applicants must demonstrate minimum English language proficiency by achieving the required result in an approved English language test, unless an exemption applies.

English Proficiency – Exemptions and Requirements

You may be exempt from the English language test for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa if you meet one of the following criteria:

1. Passport Exemption

You are a passport holder from:

• Canada
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

2. Study in English

You have completed at least 5 years of full-time study at a secondary or tertiary institution where most classes were taught in English. You must provide:

• Name and location of the institution(s)
• Level of qualification(s)
• Official transcript(s)
• Number of contact hours per week in English
• Number of years of study

3. Specific Occupations

Your nominated occupation in Australia will be performed at:

• A diplomatic or consular mission of another country, or
• An Office of the Authorities of Taiwan

4. Licenced Occupations

Your nominated occupation requires you to:

• Hold a licence, registration, or membership
• You were granted this licence, registration, or membership, demonstrating that your English proficiency met or exceeded the required standard

5. Overseas Business Employee

You are an employee of an overseas business:

• The business (or its associated entity) has nominated you to work in Australia
• You will receive guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400

This information is used to determine whether you are exempt from taking an English language test for the SID visa.

If you need to take an English test, you can take one of the below tests:

 Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025

Do you need to increase your English score before you can apply? Click here for details about short English courses for the PTE test.

Extending your stay

If your Short-term 482 (SID) visa is expiring soon and you would like to continue working for your employer, you may be eligible to renew your visa for another 2 years.

If you are already on your second 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, you cannot renew. Generally, if your occupation is listed on the STSOL, you will have limited permanent visa options, however, you may find a pathway to permanent residency through one of the below subclasses:

• 190 visa (State Nominated)
• 491 visa (Regional Sponsored)
• 494 visa (Employer-Sponsored Regional)  

Specialist Skills Stream

This visa allows employers to address labour shortages by hiring skilled overseas workers when suitably qualified Australian candidates are not available.

With this visa, you can:

• Work in Australia for up to 4 years (or up to 5 years if you hold a Hong Kong passport).

• Study in Australia, though government financial assistance is not provided.

• Travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa remains valid.

• Apply for permanent residency if you meet the eligibility requirements.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be nominated for an occupation listed in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and earn a salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.

• Have at least one year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.

• Obtain a relevant skills assessment if your occupation requires it.

• Work only for your sponsor or an associated entity, unless you qualify for an exemption.

• Meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements, unless you are exempt.

ELIGIBILITY

Age – no age requirement for this visa

Be the holder of an appropriate visa

If you are applying within Australia, you must hold:

• A substantive visa, or
• A Bridging Visa A, B, or C

Have complied with previous visa conditions

If you are in Australia when your application is decided, you must have substantially complied with the conditions of your most recent substantive or bridging visa.

Be nominated by an approved sponsor
Before applying for a Skills in Demand (SID) visa, your prospective employer must submit a nomination application on your behalf. They can do this only if they are an approved sponsor or have at least applied to become a Standard Business Sponsor.

Work for your nominating employer

Australian business sponsor:
You must be employed:

• In your nominated occupation, and

• By the sponsoring business or an associated entity.

Overseas business sponsor:
You must be employed:

• In your nominated occupation, and

• By the sponsoring business only (associated entities are not permitted).

Have relevant skills, qualifications, and employment background

If you are the primary visa applicant, you must demonstrate that you have the skills and experience necessary to perform your nominated occupation.

• Some applicants are required to complete a skills assessment to prove this – here.
• If a skills assessment is not mandatory, you must still provide other evidence showing you meet the requirements.

Medical Practitioners:

• If your nominated occupation is a medical practitioner, your qualifications must be recognised by the relevant Australian authority for registration, confirming that you are entitled to practise as a medical practitioner in Australia.

Have worked in your nominated occupation or a related field for at least 1 year

You must have at least one year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.

This experience must be gained while working in the nominated occupation or performing tasks at the same skill level in a related field.

Have a positive skills assessment

Some primary SID visa applicants are required to complete a mandatory skills assessment as part of their application. Depending on your nominated occupation, this assessment may be conducted by Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS.

Important requirements:

• If a skills assessment is mandatory, it must be commenced before submitting your visa application; otherwise, your application will be invalid and will not be processed.
• You will need to provide the skills assessment reference number when completing your application form.
• The assessment must have been undertaken or commenced within the 3 years immediately prior to lodging your SID visa application.

It is recommended that you complete the skills assessment before submitting your visa application to help reduce processing delays.

Note:

• Even if a skills assessment is not mandatory, it may still be requested during the visa application process. Any such request will be made in writing.
• A relevant skills assessment is not the same as registration with an appropriate regulatory body.

Have health insurance

Both primary and secondary visa applicants are personally responsible for healthcare costs while in Australia. Having health insurance helps reduce your financial liability.

• You must maintain adequate health cover for the entire duration of your stay if your visa is granted.
• Your insurance should cover medically necessary treatment, including medical transport.
• Maintaining adequate health insurance is a visa condition while you remain in Australia.

Health requirement

All primary and secondary applicants for a SID visa must meet the health requirement. Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months.

English Proficiency (Subclass 482)

When applying for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, primary applicants must demonstrate minimum English language proficiency by achieving the required result in an approved English language test, unless an exemption applies.

English Proficiency – Exemptions and Requirements

You may be exempt from the English language test for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa if you meet one of the following criteria:

1. Passport Exemption

You are a passport holder from:

• Canada
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

2. Study in English

You have completed at least 5 years of full-time study at a secondary or tertiary institution where most classes were taught in English. You must provide:

• Name and location of the institution(s)
• Level of qualification(s)
• Official transcript(s)
• Number of contact hours per week in English
• Number of years of study

3. Specific Occupations

Your nominated occupation in Australia will be performed at:

• A diplomatic or consular mission of another country, or
• An Office of the Authorities of Taiwan

4. Licenced Occupations

Your nominated occupation requires you to:

• Hold a licence, registration, or membership
• You were granted this licence, registration, or membership, demonstrating that your English proficiency met or exceeded the required standard

5. Overseas Business Employee

You are an employee of an overseas business:

• The business (or its associated entity) has nominated you to work in Australia
• You will receive guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400

This information is used to determine whether you are exempt from taking an English language test for the SID visa.

If you need to take an English test, you can take one of the below tests:

 Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025

Do you need to increase your English score before you can apply? Click here for details about short English courses for IELTS and PTE.

Extending your stay

If your Medium-term 482 (SID) visa is expiring soon and you would like to continue working for your employer:

• your employer will need to submit a new nomination
• you can apply for a new 482 SID visa

You may also be eligible to apply for one of the below permanent visas if your occupation is listed on the Medium Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL):

• 189 visa
• 190 visa
• 187 visa (RSMS visa)
• 186 visa (ENS visa)

SID Visa holders under the medium-term stream may also be eligible to apply for a 186 Visa or 187 Visa through the Temporary Residence Transition Stream

Labour Agreement Stream

This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers under a Labour Agreement. It allows you to live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour Agreements are arrangements made between the Australian Government (through the Department) and employers.

With this visa, you can:

• Work in Australia for up to 4 years with your sponsor (or up to 5 years if you hold a Hong Kong passport).

• Study in Australia (note: government financial assistance is not provided).

• Travel to and from Australia freely while the visa is valid.

• Be sponsored by your employer for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

You must:

• Be nominated to work in a specified occupation under a Labour Agreement.

• Have at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience (or equivalent) within the last 5 years, unless the Labour Agreement specifies otherwise.

  • Part-time or casual work must be equivalent to at least 12 months of full-time work.

• Obtain a relevant skills assessment if your occupation requires it.

• Work only for your sponsoring employer.

• Meet minimum English language proficiency standards, unless you are exempt.

ELIGIBILITY

Be working under a Labour Agreement
Your nominated occupation must be covered by a Labour Agreement between the Commonwealth and your nominating employer. 

Have at least 1 year of work experience
Unless the Labour Agreement specifies otherwise, you must have at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience (or equivalent) within the last 5 years. Part-time or casual work counts only if it is equivalent to 12 months of full-time work

Be nominated – you must be nominated

Health Requirement
You and any family members included in your visa application must meet Australia’s health requirements.

Character Requirement
You and any family members aged 16 or older included in your visa application must meet Australia’s character requirements.

English

You must have English language skills sufficient to perform your nominated occupation. Specific English requirements may be outlined in the Labour Agreement between your employer and the Commonwealth.

Extending your stay

If your Labour Agreement 482 (SID) visa is expiring soon and you would like to continue working for your employer:

• your employer will need to submit a new nomination
• you can apply for a new 482 SID visa
• You may also be eligible to apply for one of the below permanent visas, depending on the terms of your employer’s Labour Agreement (The employer will need to hold a valid labour agreement when offering permanent sponsorship):

• 187 visa (RSMS visa)
• 186 visa (ENS visa)

Include your family in your Application

You can include other family members (“secondary applicants”) in your visa application. Which family members you can include depends on whether you currently hold a subclass 457 or 482 visa.

If you have not previously held a subclass 457 or 482 visa:
You may include secondary applicants who are members of your family unit. For this visa, your family members include:

• Your partner

• Your dependent child or stepchild

• Your partner’s dependent child or stepchild

• The dependent child or stepchild of your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild

If you currently hold a subclass 457 or 482 visa and are applying for a subsequent Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482):
You may include secondary applicants who are:

• A member of your family unit, or

• A person who currently holds a subclass 457 or 482 visa granted as a family member at the time, and is one of the following:

  • Your spouse or de facto partner

  • Your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild who:

    • Is unmarried, not in a de facto relationship, and younger than 23, or

    • Is 23 or older and mostly or fully reliant on you or your partner due to a partial or total physical or mental disability

  • A dependent child of your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild

Additional Requirements for Secondary Applicants:

• They must be included in the main applicant’s nomination or have written consent from the sponsor.

• They must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

• Family members cannot be added after you submit your application.

Adding Family Members Later:

• If your application is being processed, family members not included can apply as subsequent entrants.

• If your visa has already been granted, family members may join you later in Australia through a subsequent entrant application.

More about adding family members to your SID Subclass 482 visa.

Employer Sponsored Visa 482

Employers must become a Standard Business Sponsor or have a labour agreement with the department, in order to sponsor overseas workers on a Employer Sponsored visa 482.

OPERATIONS

To become an approved sponsor, the business must be legally established in Australia and currently operating. The business can be in or outside Australia.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Employers must also pass a non-discriminatory workforce test, to ensure they aren’t discriminating against Australian workers at the nomination stage and have a demonstrated a strong commitment employing local labour.

SID NOMINATION

An approved Business Sponsor can nominate a position within their business to be filled by an overseas skilled worker. There are strict criteria which must be met in order to receive a successful Nomination outcome.

EMPLOYEE SALARY

SID Visa holders must earn a minimum annual salary equal to or above the Core Skills Stream (CSOL) which is currently $79,423 plus Superannuation. The salary must also be within the market rate for that occupation.

LABOUR MARKET TESTING (LMT)

The business must demonstrate that they have tested the labour market by advertising locally for the nominated position.

TRAINING LEVY

The new Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy has been introduced with the SID Visa. The SAF levy is payable in full at nomination stage and has made hiring overseas workers considerably more expensive.

The payable levy is determined by the turnover of the nominating business:

Small Businesses (Turnover less than $10 million) will pay $1,200 per year, per nominated SID Visa holder
Other Businesses (Turnover more than $10 million) will pay $1,800 per year, per nominated SID Visa holder
For example, a business with a turn over $10M nominates an applicant for a four year SID Visa would pay $7,200 upfront at the nomination stage.

What is the Training Levy (SAF)?
The Department states that the SAF levy provides a tangible demonstration of how the SID visa supports training opportunities for Australians. The business does not receive any training by paying the SAF.

Can the employee pay the SAF?
No – Under no circumstances can the sponsored employee pay for SAF levy

Are there any exemptions to the SAF?
No – Unfortunately, the business must pay the SAF to sponsor any SID workers

What is a 482 visa?

The 482 visa is a Skills in Demand visa, allowing a skilled worker to temporarily live and work in Australia if nominated by an approved employer who hasn’t been able to find an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

Can I change employer on a 482 visa?

You can change your employer on a 482 visa, as long as the new employer is willing to sponsor you and lodge a new nomination for you. You are not allowed to start working for this new employer until the change has been approved. Until it has been approved, you have to continue working for your previous employer or make sure that any gap in employment is less than 60 consecutive days.

Can I get Medicare on a 482 visa?

As a rule, you will not receive access to Australian medicare on a 482 visa. You are responsible for your own health costs and must get adequate health insurance. However, Australia does have reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries that will cover some of your medical costs if you are from one of these countries. If you are, you can apply to be exempt from the requirement to purchase health insurance. Currently, these countries are New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Slovenia and Norway. If you’re from any other country, you cannot apply to get Medicare.

How to renew a 482 visa?

You cannot renew the 482 visa you currently have, but you can apply for a new one if you wish to stay longer. This would require that your employer makes a new nomination and that you apply for a new visa the same way you did for your first.

Can I apply for pr with a 482 visa?

Not all 482 visa holders are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Your eligibility will depend on a number of factors including your occupation, age, English proficiency and more.

Is 482 a permanent visa?

The 482 visa is not permanent. A short-term stream allows you to stay for two years and a medium-term stream lets you stay for four years. However, you may be able to apply for a new visa when your 482 is due to expire.

Can I study on a 482 visa?

Yes, you can study in Australia on a 482 visa.

Can a 482 visa be extended?

Technically your 482 visa cannot be extended, but you can apply for a new one when it is about to expire. On a short-term stream visa, which lasts two years, you can apply for a further two years without leaving Australia. You would have to go offshore to extend it further. The medium-term stream lets you stay for up to four years, and can be renewed an unlimited amount of times.

Can a 482 visa be transferred?

You can transfer to a new company or a new role in the same company while on a 482 visa, as long as your employer submits a new nomination for you.

Can I drive for Uber on a 482 visa?

Most people will not be allowed to drive for Uber on a 482 visa, as a condition of your visa is that you work only for your sponsor company or associated entity in the nominated role. However, certain occupations are exempt from this requirement. If you belong to one of these occupations, you may be allowed to drive for Uber in Australia.

Can my spouse work on a 482 visa?

Yes! The spouse or partner of a person with a 482 visa is allowed to work and study in Australia.

Do I need a skills assessment for a 482 visa?

This depends on your occupation. Some people need a positive skills assessment, while people in other occupations or who are exempt can provide other evidence that they can perform the nominated role. Consult ASM to find out if you need a positive skills assessment.

How long does a 482 visa take to process?

The processing time varies. You may wait between one month to over a year.

How long is a 482 visa valid for?

There are three kinds of 482 visas: the short-term stream lets you stay for up to 2 years, the medium-term stream lets you stay for up to 4 years, and the rare labour agreement stream also lets you stay for up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders can stay up to 5 years on any stream.

How much does a 482 visa cost?

The Skills in Demand Visa costs from AUD4,015, as does the labour agreement stream.

How to apply for a 482 visa?

A 482 visa is applied for on the Australian Government Immigration and citizenship website. Before applying, you must make sure an employer nominates you, that you fulfil the requirements for a 482 visa, and that you have all the necessary documents for your situation. This can include English exams, health exams and skills assessments. We recommend appointing a registered migration agent to apply for any employer sponsored visa

Is a 482 visa holder a resident for tax purposes?

Someone with a 482 visa can be either a resident or a non-resident for tax purposes, independently of whether they are a resident for immigration purposes. You will be a resident for tax purposes if you reside in Australia (meaning you stay here permanently or for a considerable amount of time), you have a place you consider to be your permanent home, or you spend over half the year (183 days) in Australia. Other things can also make you a resident, so the easiest way to find out is by using an online tool.

What are the requirements for a 482 visa?

There are several requirements for a 482 visa. You must be nominated by an approved employer, you must work for them, you need to have worked in this field for at least two years and have the relevant skills, qualifications and background to do so, and you might also need to have a positive skills assessment. You will also need to meet certain health and character requirements, have health insurance (unless exempt) and demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency. You cannot have any debt to the Australian government and you might not be eligible if you have had a previous visa cancelled or application refused. If you are currently in Australia, you must have an appropriate visa and you must have complied with the conditions for any current and previous visas. You must also be willing to sign the Australian Values Statement.