Last updated: 10 April 2026

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The 482 visa (Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482) lets skilled workers live and work in Australia through employer sponsorship. You need a job offer from an approved Australian business, an eligible occupation, and a salary that meets the government threshold. As of 2026, the Core Skills threshold is AUD 76,515.

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Many applicants consider the 482 visa as a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. However, eligibility depends on your occupation, salary level, and your employer’s ability to support long-term sponsorship.

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This visa is designed for applicants who have a job offer from an approved Australian business and meet the required skill, salary, and eligibility criteria.

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Unlike points-tested visas, the 482 visa does not rely on invitation rounds. Instead, your pathway depends on employer sponsorship, occupation eligibility, and long-term planning for permanent residency. The 482 visa is one of four employer sponsored visa options in Australia. See all employer sponsored visa options.

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This guide explains:

• 482 visa requirements

• Salary thresholds and occupation eligibility

• Processing time factors

• Real pathways to permanent residency (PR)

• How to assess your eligibility

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Am I Eligible for a 482 Visa Australia?

In short: you need an employer sponsor, an eligible occupation, and a compliant salary.

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Basic eligibility checklist

• You have an approved Australian employer willing to sponsor you

• Your occupation is on the relevant occupation list (CSOL or Labour Agreement)

• You meet the minimum work experience requirement (usually at least 1 year)

• You meet English language requirements

• The salary meets the required threshold and market rate

• You meet health and character requirements

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Quick self-assessment​​​​​

482 Visa Requirements

To apply for a 482 visa Australia, you must meet the following:

1. Employer sponsorship

• Employer must be an approved sponsor

• A valid nomination must be lodged

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2. Work Experience

• Minimum 12 months of relevant work experience

• Must be closely related to the nominated occupation

• May include full-time, part-time or casual employment (subject to policy interpretation)

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See full breakdown in our skills assessment for 482 visa guide

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3. English Requirements

The 482 visa English requirements depend on when the test was taken.

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Tests Taken On or After 13 September 2025

• IELTS: Minimum 5.0 in each band

• PTE Academic: Listening 33, Reading 36, Writing 29, Speaking 24

• TOEFL iBT: Listening 8, Reading 8, Writing 9, Speaking 14

• OET, CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT, MET accepted at equivalent levels

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Tests Taken On or Before 13 September 2025

• IELTS: Minimum 5.0 overall and each band

• PTE Academic: Minimum 36 overall and each component

• TOEFL iBT: Minimum 35 total, 4 per component

• OET: Minimum B in each component

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Exemptions may apply depending on nationality or salary level. Read full explanation of 482 visa english requirement

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4. Character & Health

Applicants must:

• Undertake required health examinations

• Provide police clearance certificates for countries lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years

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​Requirements are defined under legislative instruments and policy settings issued by the Department of Home Affairs and may change over time.

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482 Visa Processing Time

There is no fixed processing time, it depends on your application and employer.

Processing times vary depending on:

• Application completeness

• Employer compliance

• Health and character checks

• Visa stream

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Official processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs and updated regularly. See full breakdown in our 482 visa processing time guide

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