The 482 Skills in Demand Visa Explained (2026)

By Peter Toms, Principal Lawyer · Updated 12 November 2026

The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa lets Australian businesses sponsor skilled workers where suitably qualified Australians are not available. It is a temporary visa of up to four years, and for many people it is the first step towards permanent residence.

The short answer: a 482 needs three approvals, in order: the business, the role and the person. Each stage has its own rules, and a problem at any stage stops the whole application.

Who is it for?

Workers who have an employer willing to sponsor them, but do not yet meet the requirements for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Direct Entry stream.
Employers who need to fill a genuine skills gap, and can show they have not found a suitable Australian.
Workers coming for a fixed period, for a contract or to build Australian experience.

What it offers

Up to four years to live and work in Australia, in the nominated role, for the sponsoring employer.
Lower experience requirements than most permanent visas. Generally, at least one year of relevant full-time experience in the last five years.
No formal skills assessment for many occupations (although licensing or registration may still be required).
A pathway to permanent residence, commonly through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after two years.
Partners and dependent children can generally be included, and partners have full work rights.

How it works

A 482 involves three separate applications: sponsorship, nomination and visa. They are lodged in that order. You do not have to wait for one to be approved before lodging the next, but a later stage cannot be approved unless the earlier one is.

1. The business (Standard Business Sponsorship). The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor. To be approved, the business must be lawfully and actively operating, have no relevant adverse information, and agree to meet sponsorship obligations, including keeping records, notifying the Department of certain changes and paying certain costs. Approval generally lasts five years and can cover several workers.

2. The role (Nomination). The employer nominates a specific position. It must show:

the position is genuine, and fits the business;
the duties match an eligible occupation;
the salary meets the income threshold and the market rate for the role and location;
Labour Market Testing has been done properly, unless an exemption applies;
the terms and conditions are no less favourable than for an equivalent Australian worker; and
the Skilling Australians Fund levy has been paid.

3. The person (Visa). The worker must show they have the skills and experience for the role, any required licence or registration, the required English, adequate health insurance, and that they meet health and character requirements.

The three streams

Core Skills stream. Used most often. The occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List, and the salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold and the market rate.
Specialist Skills stream. For highly paid specialists. Most occupations are eligible (excluding trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers), but the salary floor is much higher.
Labour Agreement stream. For employers with an approved labour agreement with the Government, which can vary the usual requirements.

Salary thresholds for 2026-27

For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026, the main thresholds are:

Core Skills Income Threshold: $79,423
Specialist Skills Income Threshold: $146,576

The salary must also meet the annual market salary rate, which is what an Australian would be paid for the same job in the same location. Whichever figure is higher sets the minimum. See our guide to salary requirements.

Processing priorities

Since 19 September 2026, 482 applications are processed in a set order. Applications in priority sectors (such as construction, healthcare, teaching, resources and agriculture) come first, then Specialist Skills, then onshore applicants. Offshore applications outside the priority sectors can expect to wait longer.

Where cases go wrong

Salary. Understating the package, counting things that do not count (such as non-guaranteed overtime or non-cash benefits), or ignoring the local market rate.
Labour Market Testing. Advertisements that miss required details, run for too short a time, are placed in the wrong places, or fall outside the allowed window are treated as if no testing was done.
Occupation. Duties that do not match the nominated occupation, or inflated job titles.
Genuine need. Small and new businesses face closer scrutiny. Expect to explain how the role fits the business, with evidence.

Conditions after the visa is granted

Work only for your sponsor, in the nominated occupation. You may need a new nomination before changing roles or employers.
Hold any required licence or registration before you start, and keep it current.
Keep adequate health insurance for the whole visa period.
If your employment ends, you generally have up to 180 days at a time (and 365 days in total over the visa) to find a new sponsor, apply for another visa, or leave Australia. You can work for another employer during that time.
Since 2 October 2026, 482 holders cannot apply for a Student visa from inside Australia.

Permanent residence

Many 482 holders move to permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream, after two years of full-time work in their occupation on a 482. That time can be with more than one approved sponsor, but the 186 nomination must come from your current employer. Age, English and salary requirements still apply. Other permanent options may also be available, such as points-tested or regional visas.

Typical documents

Employer: registration and financial records, organisation chart, evidence of the genuine need for the role, Labour Market Testing evidence, market salary evidence and the employment contract.
Worker: passport, CV, qualifications, references, licence or registration, English test (if needed), police certificates and health insurance.

Related guides

How we can help

We act for both employers and workers on 482 visas. Contact us to check eligibility before anyone signs a contract or lodges a nomination.

Book a consultation, email us at info@leytonstonelaw.com, or call +61 (02) 8114 4577.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration law and policy change often, and every case depends on its own facts. Please seek advice about your individual circumstances before making any decision.

The 482 Skills in Demand visa