Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
This specialized visa service page explains the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482), Australia’s main visa for skilled workers who already have a job offer from an approved employer. If you have the right skills and a business willing to sponsor you, this visa lets you live and work in Australia for up to four years, often with a genuine route to permanent residence afterwards.
Ezy Immigration helps skilled professionals across New Zealand and further afield apply for the 482 visa with confidence. Our licensed advisers check your eligibility, walk you through each visa stream, and manage your application from your first enquiry through to visa grant, so you always know what happens next.
What Is the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)?
The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) is Australia’s main employer-sponsored work visa. It replaced the older Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024, bringing simpler rules and one combined occupation list. An approved Australian employer sponsors you for a role they cannot fill locally. In return, you get permission to live and work in Australia for a set period, usually up to four years.
This visa was built for real people with real skills, not just paperwork. Nurses, engineers, chefs, IT specialists and tradespeople all use this pathway every year to build a life in Australia. At Ezy Immigration, our team holds current licences with both the Immigration Advisers Authority (New Zealand, IAA #201300919) and the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Australia, MARA #2117455), so your case is handled by people who are personally accountable for getting it right.
Why Skilled Migrants Choose This Pathway
Moving to Australia for work should feel exciting, not stressful. Yet many skilled workers hold back because the rules keep changing, the forms are confusing, and one small mistake can delay an application by months. Employers feel the same pressure. They need staff quickly, but they cannot afford a rejected nomination.
This is where the Skills in Demand Visa, paired with the right guidance, makes the difference. Ezy Immigration removes the guesswork. We check your occupation against the current Core Skills Occupation List, confirm which stream fits your situation, and prepare your file so it meets the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements the first time. You do not need to become an immigration expert yourself. That is what we are here for.
What You Gain With a Skills in Demand Visa
A Skills in Demand Visa opens more than just a job in Australia. Most applicants can stay and work for up to four years, and Hong Kong SAR passport holders may be granted five years. You can bring your partner and dependent children with you, and they are generally free to work or study while you hold the visa.
The visa also gives you room to move. If your job situation changes, you have up to 180 days to find a new approved sponsor before your visa is affected, rather than having to leave the country straight away. And because this visa often leads to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after around two years with the same sponsor, many people treat it as the first real step toward settling in Australia long-term, not just a temporary stopover.
The Three Skills in Demand Visa Streams
The Skills in Demand Visa is not one-size-fits-all. It runs across three separate streams, and choosing the right one affects your salary requirement, your occupation options, and how quickly your visa might be processed.
The Core Skills stream suits most applicants. Your occupation must sit on the Core Skills Occupation List, and your employer must pay at least the Core Skills Income Threshold. The Specialist Skills stream is for high earners in almost any occupation, provided the salary clears a much higher threshold — there is no fixed occupation list to check. The Labour Agreement stream applies when an employer holds a formal, negotiated agreement with the Australian Government, often used in sectors such as aged care, meat processing or fishing, where the standard settings do not quite fit.
| Stream | Best suited to | Occupation list required? | Minimum salary (from 1 July 2026) | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Core Skills |
Most skilled workers in listed occupations |
Yes — Core Skills Occupation List |
From $79,499 a year |
Up to 4 years |
|
Specialist Skills |
High-income specialists in almost any field |
No |
From $146,717 a year |
Up to 4 years |
|
Labour Agreement |
Roles covered by a formal employer agreement |
Depends on the agreement |
Set out in the agreement |
Up to 4 years |
Figures above are current at the time of writing and are indexed every 1 July. Ezy Immigration confirms the latest thresholds as part of your assessment, so you are never working from outdated numbers.
If your employer is based in regional Australia, the 494 Visa (Employer Sponsored Visa) may suit you better, since it carries its own regional settings and a different route to permanent residence.
How Ezy Immigration Guides Your 482 Visa Journey
Getting from enquiry to visa grant involves a few clear stages, and we stay beside you through every one of them.
Thinking About Your Next Move?
If you are weighing up whether the Skills in Demand Visa is right for you, you do not have to work it out alone. Our team has guided hundreds of skilled workers and their families through this exact process, and we would be glad to look at your situation too. A short conversation with one of our advisers is often all it takes to see whether you are on the right track, or what needs to change to get you there.
Read what past clients say about working with us on our testimonials page, or take the first step with a free preliminary assessment.
Is the Skills in Demand Visa Right for You?
The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) remains one of the clearest ways for skilled workers to build a career in Australia, provided you understand which stream fits your circumstances and prepare your application carefully. Salary thresholds and occupation lists do shift every year, so getting current, reliable advice matters more than ever.
“We’ve spent over a decade helping people move confidently between New Zealand and Australia. Every application is different, and we treat it that way.” — Eddie Dhiman, Director, Ezy Immigration
To learn more about our team and licences, visit our About Us page, or explore our full range of Australian and New Zealand visa services.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) actually for?
The Skills in Demand Visa (482) lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled overseas worker to fill a role they cannot fill locally. It replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024. Depending on your stream, you can work in Australia for up to four years, with many holders later moving on to permanent residence through employer or skilled pathways.
- What are the main eligibility requirements for the 482 visa?
You generally need a genuine job offer from an approved sponsor, at least one year of relevant work experience, skills matching your nominated occupation, competent English, plus good health and character. Core Skills applicants also need their occupation on the CSOL and, in most cases, a positive skills assessment before lodging their application.
- How do I check if my occupation is on the Skills in Demand occupation list?
Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) if applying through the Core Skills stream. The Department of Home Affairs publishes this list online, and it now covers 456 occupations across trades, healthcare, engineering and IT. Ezy Immigration checks this for you as part of a free assessment.
- What is the salary requirement for the Skills in Demand Visa?
Salary depends on your stream. Core Skills applicants must be paid at least the Core Skills Income Threshold, which is $79,499 a year from 1 July 2026. Specialist Skills applicants need a salary of at least $146,717 a year. Your pay must also match the genuine market rate for your role, whichever figure is higher.
- How long does it take to process a 482 visa application?
Processing time depends on your stream and how complete your documents are. Specialist Skills nominations can sometimes be decided within days. Core Skills and Labour Agreement applications usually take longer, often several weeks to a few months, particularly if a skills assessment or extra checks are needed.
- Can I bring my family with me on a 482 visa?
Yes. The Skills in Demand Visa allows you to include eligible family members in your application, such as your partner and dependent children. They can generally live, work and study in Australia with you for the length of your visa, though each family member must also meet health and character requirements.
- Can the Skills in Demand Visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. Most 482 visa holders can apply for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after around two years with an approved sponsor. Some applicants may also qualify for the Skilled Independent (189) or Skilled Nominated (190) visas, depending on their points and occupation.
- What documents do I need for a Skills in Demand Visa application from New Zealand?
You will typically need a valid passport, evidence of qualifications and work experience, an employment contract, English test results (if required), a skills assessment where applicable, plus health and police checks. Ezy Immigration prepares a tailored checklist once we understand your occupation and circumstances.
- What happens if I lose my job while on a 482 visa?
You generally have 180 days to find a new approved sponsor or apply for another visa before your 482 visa ceases. This portability period gives you time to secure new employment without immediately having to leave Australia, though it is wise to act quickly and seek advice as soon as possible.
- How is the Skills in Demand Visa different from the old 482 (TSS) visa?
The Skills in Demand Visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024. It introduced a single Core Skills Occupation List, higher income thresholds, a shorter one-year work experience requirement, and a faster route to permanent residence, making it more flexible for both employers and skilled workers.
How would you like to take the next step toward your Subclass 482 employer-sponsored visa?
Find on this page
New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser and Australia Registered Migration Agent
IAA # 201300919
MARA # 2117455
Whether you are an Australian employer looking to sponsor skilled professionals or an applicant with an eligible job offer, managing sponsorship accreditation, salary benchmarks, and stream criteria doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Schedule a private strategy session with our registered migration specialists to evaluate your eligibility across the Specialist or Core Skills streams and map your clear transition to Australian permanent residence.
Success Stories
Hear from skilled professionals we have helped successfully migrate to New Zealand.
- Your Free Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa Assessment
Qualifying under Australia’s Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa requires meeting specific salary thresholds, occupational criteria, and employer sponsorship obligations. Our free, two-minute evaluation reviews your professional qualifications and role details against active Department of Home Affairs standards. Receive honest, structured recommendations tailored to your career and relocation goals.
- We assess your stream fit across Specialist Skills, Core Skills, or Labour Agreements
- We review employer sponsorship readiness, salary compliance, and market salary rates
- We outline an audit-ready business nomination and visa lodgement plan
- Your corporate, professional, and personal details remain strictly confidential