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Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Australia's primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa, replacing the TSS visa from 7 December 2024. Three streams cover specialist, core, and labour agreement pathways with up to 4 years validity and a direct route to permanent residence.

Three Visa Streams

Specialist Skills Stream

Fastest processing of all streams

Salary ThresholdAUD $146,717/year (from 1 July 2026)
Occupation ListAny occupation (no list required)
Processing Time11-53 days
Visa DurationUp to 4 years
EnglishGenerally exempt due to salary level
PR PathwayYes (via Subclass 186)

Core Skills Stream

456 eligible occupations across all sectors

Salary ThresholdAUD $79,499/year (from 1 July 2026)
Occupation ListCSOL (456 occupations)
Processing Time4-7 months
Visa DurationUp to 4 years
EnglishCompetent English (IELTS 5.0 overall, min 4.5 each band)
PR PathwayYes (via Subclass 186)

Labour Agreement Stream

For industries with specific labour agreements

Salary ThresholdPer agreement
Occupation ListPer agreement
Processing TimeVariable
Visa DurationUp to 4 years
EnglishPer agreement
PR PathwayDepends on agreement

Salary thresholds increase from 1 July 2026: Core Skills from AUD $73,150 to $79,499 (CSIT), Specialist Skills from AUD $141,210 to $146,717 (SSIT). These thresholds are indexed annually.

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

The CSOL contains 456 occupations across healthcare, construction, IT, education, and trades. Implemented 7 December 2024, it covers occupations used for employer-sponsored skilled visas (482, 186, 494). Key sectors include healthcare workers, software engineers, construction managers, educators, and trades.

Healthcare

Registered nurses, physiotherapists, medical practitioners

IT & Technology

Software engineers, ICT security specialists, database administrators

Construction

Construction managers, civil engineers, electricians

Education

University lecturers, secondary school teachers, early childhood educators

Engineering

Mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers

Trades

Chefs, motor mechanics, plumbers, welders

Key Requirements

Employer Sponsorship

Must be nominated by an approved Australian employer

Skills Assessment

Mandatory for Core Skills stream; 7-12 weeks processing

English Language

Core: IELTS 5.0 overall (min 4.5 each). Specialist: generally exempt

Work Experience

Minimum 1 year full-time in the nominated occupation within the last 5 years

Health & Character

Medical examination and police clearance required

Genuine Position

The position must be genuine and meet market salary rates

Processing Times (2026)

StreamProcessing Time
Specialist Skills - Nomination7 days
Specialist Skills - Visa11-53 days
Core Skills - Nomination4-7 months
Core Skills - Visa4-7 months
Labour AgreementVariable

Salary Threshold Changes from 1 July 2026

StreamCurrentNew (July 2026)Change
Core Skills (CSIT)AUD $73,150AUD $79,499+8.7%
Specialist Skills (SSIT)AUD $141,210AUD $146,717+3.9%

These thresholds are indexed annually to reflect changes in average weekly ordinary-time earnings. Applications lodged before 1 July 2026 use the current thresholds. Applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026 must meet the new thresholds.

State Nomination Highlights (2026)

Each Australian state and territory runs its own nomination program with different priorities and requirements. Key highlights for 2026:

Queensland

Building workforce for 2032 Brisbane Olympics -- infrastructure, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and transport occupations are priority areas with accelerated processing

Tasmania

Inviting skilled workers at just 40 points for Subclass 491 -- one of the lowest point thresholds in the country, making it accessible for many applicants

New South Wales

Focus on health professionals, ICT specialists, and engineers; Sydney metro and regional streams available

Victoria

Strong demand for healthcare workers, teachers, and digital technology professionals; regular invitation rounds

Western Australia

Mining, resources, and healthcare sectors drive nominations; graduate stream available for local university graduates

South Australia

Wide occupation list with pathways for both metropolitan Adelaide and regional areas; talent and innovator streams

Skills Assessment Bodies

The Core Skills stream requires a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. Assessment takes 7-12 weeks and must be completed before lodging your visa application.

Assessment BodyOccupations CoveredProcessing Time
ACS (Australian Computer Society)ICT professionals -- software engineers, developers, database administrators, cybersecurity specialists, systems analysts6-8 weeks
Engineers AustraliaAll engineering disciplines -- civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, mining, environmental engineers8-12 weeks
VETASSESSGeneral professional occupations -- accountants, marketing specialists, HR advisors, managers, social workers, scientists8-12 weeks
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)Trades occupations -- chefs, motor mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, bricklayers10-16 weeks
ANMAC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery)Registered nurses and midwives -- all nursing specialisations6-8 weeks

FAQ

What replaced the TSS (Subclass 482) visa?
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa from 7 December 2024. The subclass number remains 482, but the streams and requirements changed significantly.
Can I get permanent residence through the 482 visa?
Yes. After working for your employer on a 482 visa, you can transition to the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme for permanent residence. The Transition stream requires 2 years with your nominating employer.
What is the CSOL and how many occupations does it have?
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) contains 456 occupations across healthcare, IT, construction, education, engineering, and trades. It replaced the previous MLTSSL/STSOL system.
Do I need a skills assessment for the Specialist Skills stream?
No. The Specialist Skills stream does not require a formal skills assessment. However, you must demonstrate at least 1 year of full-time relevant work experience in the last 5 years.
How fast is the Specialist Skills stream processed?
The Specialist Skills stream has the fastest processing: nomination in 7 days and visa approval in 11-53 days. This is significantly faster than the Core Skills stream at 4-7 months.
What English level do I need?
Core Skills stream requires Competent English (IELTS 5.0 overall with minimum 4.5 in each band, or equivalent). Specialist Skills stream applicants are generally exempt due to their high salary level.
When do the new salary thresholds take effect?
The new salary thresholds take effect on 1 July 2026: Core Skills rises from AUD $73,150 to $79,499 and Specialist Skills from AUD $141,210 to $146,717. Applications lodged before that date use the current thresholds.
Which skills assessment body do I need?
It depends on your occupation. ACS assesses ICT professionals, Engineers Australia handles engineers, VETASSESS covers general professionals, TRA assesses trades, and ANMAC handles nursing and midwifery. Processing takes 6-16 weeks depending on the body.
Last updated: 2026-03-15