482 Visa Australia (Skills in Demand Visa)
Requirements, Salary, PR Pathway & Processing Time (2026)
Last updated: 10 April 2026
The 482 visa (Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482) replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia through employer sponsorship under Australia's temporary skilled migration program.
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Subclass 482 visa is designed to help approved employers address labour shortages where suitably skilled Australian workers are not available. Applicants must generally be sponsored by an approved sponsor and work in an eligible skilled occupation.
To qualify, you generally need:
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a job offer from an approved Australian employer
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an eligible occupation
As of 2026, the Core Skills salary threshold is AUD 76,515. The Core Skills threshold rises to $79,499 from 1 July 2026.
Depending on the occupation and employer arrangement, some applicants may also require:
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a skills assessment
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licensing or registration
Many applicants also use the 482 visa as a pathway towards permanent residency in Australia, depending on their occupation, employer sponsorship, and long-term eligibility.
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.
This guide explains:
482 Visa Guidance From Registered Migration Agents
RACC’s Registered Migration Agents (MARN1572962, MARN1172003) assist with 482 visa eligibility, employer sponsorship requirements, PR pathways, and employer sponsored visa options in Australia.
Am I Eligible for a 482 Visa Australia?
To qualify for a 482 visa, you generally need:
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an Australian employer willing to sponsor you
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an eligible occupation
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relevant work experience
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English language ability
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a salary that meets government requirements
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health and character clearance
Unlike points-tested visas such as the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 visas, the 482 visa is based on employer sponsorship rather than invitation rounds or points scores.
For most applicants, the main eligibility factors are:
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whether the occupation is eligible under the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or a Labour Agreement pathway
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whether the employer can meet the required salary threshold
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whether the applicant has relevant work experience for the role
As of 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is AUD 76,515, increasing to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026.
Quick 482 Visa Self-Assessment
You may have a stronger 482 visa pathway if you can answer “Yes” to most of the following:
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Do you have an Australian employer willing to sponsor you?
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Is your occupation eligible for employer sponsorship?
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Do you have relevant work experience?
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Can the employer meet the salary requirement?
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Can you meet the English requirement?
Answering “No” does not always mean you are ineligible. Some applicants may still qualify through Labour Agreements, regional sponsorship, or alternative employer sponsored visa pathways.
If you are unsure whether your occupation or salary qualifies, a structured assessment can help identify the correct visa pathway before you apply.
What Is the 482 Visa Used For?
The 482 visa is part of Australia’s employer-sponsored migration system and is used to:
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Fill genuine skill shortages in the Australian workforce
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Allow businesses to sponsor overseas workers
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Provide temporary work rights for up to 4 years
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Create a pathway to permanent residency
This visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and remains one of the most commonly used employer-sponsored visas.
482 Visa Streams Explained
The 482 visa operates under three streams:
Specialist Skills Stream
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High-income professionals
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Salary typically above AUD 141,210
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Priority processing
Core Skills Stream
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Most common stream
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Occupation must be on CSOL
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Salary threshold applies (currently AUD 76,515, indexed), The Core Skills threshold rises to $79,499 from 1 July 2026.
Labour Agreement Stream
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For employers under special agreements
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Occupations and salary vary based on agreement
Can Family Members Be Included in a 482 Visa?
482 visa applicants can usually include eligible family members such as:
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a spouse or de facto partner
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dependent children
There are generally two ways family members can join a 482 visa holder.
Apply Together
Family members can be included in the initial 482 visa application before the visa is lodged.
Apply Later as a Subsequent Entrant
If family members were not included in the original application, they may still apply later as a 482 subsequent entrant to join the primary visa holder in Australia.
This pathway is commonly used when:
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the primary applicant moves to Australia first
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family members remain overseas temporarily
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relationships or family circumstances change after visa grant
Once a 482 visa application has already been lodged, family members generally cannot simply be added to that existing application. Instead, they usually need to apply separately as subsequent entrants. See also 482 subsequent entrant visa
482 Visa Salary Requirements (2026)
In short: your salary must meet BOTH the government threshold and real market rate.
You must meet both:
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The minimum salary threshold, and
Current Salary Thresholds
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Core Skills threshold: AUD 76,515 (indexed annually), The Core Skills threshold rises to $79,499 from 1 July 2026.
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Specialist Skills: higher threshold applies
What is AMSR?
The Australian Market Salary Rate ensures that:
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You are paid the same as an equivalent Australian worker
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Your salary reflects industry standards
Example scenarios
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Software Engineer → must meet both threshold and market rate
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Chef → must match local hospitality salary standards
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Trade roles → assessed against industry benchmarks
If your salary does not meet both conditions, the nomination will likely be refused.
Minimum salary by stream
Specialist Skills stream
AUD 141,210 or above. This is the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT).
Core Skills stream
AUD 76,515 or above. This threshold is indexed annually and known as the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT).
Labour Agreement stream
Salary varies depending on the specific industry labour agreement in place.
For more detail regarding 482 visa salary requirement, visit 482 Visa Salary Requirements 2026 Guide
482 Visa Requirements
If you want full explanation of 482 visa requirement, see our full guideline of 482 visa requirement.
To apply for a 482 visa Australia, you must meet the following:
1. Employer sponsorship
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Employer must be an approved sponsor
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A valid nomination must be lodged
2. Work Experience
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Minimum 12 months of relevant work experience
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Must be closely related to the nominated occupation
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May include full-time, part-time or casual employment (subject to policy interpretation)
See full breakdown in our skills assessment for 482 visa guide
3. English Requirements
The 482 visa English requirements depend on when the test was taken.
Tests Taken On or After 13 September 2025
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IELTS: Minimum 5.0 in each band
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PTE Academic: Listening 33, Reading 36, Writing 29, Speaking 24
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TOEFL iBT: Listening 8, Reading 8, Writing 9, Speaking 14
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OET, CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT, MET accepted at equivalent levels
Tests Taken On or Before 13 September 2025
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IELTS: Minimum 5.0 overall and each band
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PTE Academic: Minimum 36 overall and each component
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TOEFL iBT: Minimum 35 total, 4 per component
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OET: Minimum B in each component
Exemptions may apply depending on nationality or salary level. Read full explanation of 482 visa english requirement
4. Character & Health
Applicants must:
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Undertake required health examinations
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Provide police clearance certificates for countries lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
Requirements are defined under legislative instruments and policy settings issued by the Department of Home Affairs and may change over time.
482 Visa Processing Time
There is no fixed processing time, it depends on your application and employer.
Processing times vary depending on:
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Application completeness
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Employer compliance
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Health and character checks
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Visa stream
Processing Time by Stream
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Specialist Skills stream — from a few days to around 2 months
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Core Skills stream — around 1 to 4 months
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Labour Agreement stream — around 3 to 8 months
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Sponsorship approval — around 1 week to 4 months
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Nomination approval — from less than 1 day to several months
Official processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs and updated regularly. See full breakdown in our 482 visa processing time guide
482 Visa Cost
Government application charges apply for:
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Primary applicant
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Secondary adult applicants
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Dependent children
Additional costs may include:
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English test fees
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Skills assessment (if required)
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Health examinations
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Police certificates
Costs vary depending on stream and family composition. Read our full explanation about 482 visa cost.
482 Visa Occupation List
To be eligible for a visa 482 Australia, the nominated occupation must:
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Be covered under an approved Labour Agreement
Occupation eligibility determines which stream applies.
Age Limit for 482 Visa
There is no strict age limit for the temporary 482 visa. Many applicants transition from a 482 visa to the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 to secure permanent residency under the Employer Nomination Scheme.
However, age limits may apply when transitioning to permanent residency under subclass 186, unless exemptions apply.
Can 482 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?
Yes. but only if you meet specific employment and eligibility requirements.
The 482 visa Australia provides access to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), including:
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Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)
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Direct Entry (DE)
Key factors affecting PR eligibility
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Occupation eligibility
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Length of employment
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Age and English requirements
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Employer willingness to sponsor
PR pathways are subject to Department of Home Affairs requirements and may change.
For a detailed explanation of how each pathway works, see the 482 visa to permanent residency pathway.
482 Visa vs Other Visa Pathways
The 482 visa is designed for skilled workers sponsored by an Australian employer. Unlike points-tested visas, eligibility is mainly based on employer sponsorship and occupation requirements.
Here is how the 482 visa compares to other common Australian visa pathways:
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482 visa — temporary employer sponsored visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.
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186 visa — permanent employer sponsored visa. Many 482 visa holders later transition through the 186 TRT pathway.
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407 visa — temporary training visa for workplace-based training and skill development, rather than standard sponsored employment.
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485 visa — post-study work visa for eligible international graduates. No employer sponsorship is required.
Depending on your occupation, employer, work experience, and long-term PR goals, different employer sponsored visa pathways may be more suitable than others.
Common Reasons 482 Visa Applications Are Refused
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Salary does not meet threshold or AMSR
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Occupation not eligible
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Incomplete documentation
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Weak employment evidence
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Employer not compliant
Preparing a complete and accurate application is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions – 482 Visa Australia
Can I change employer on a 482 visa?
Yes. Visa holders are generally provided up to 180 days to secure a new approved sponsor without breaching conditions.
Can I bring family members?
Yes. Eligible family members can be included in your 482 visa application.
Is there an age limit?
No age limit applies to the temporary 482 visa. Age restrictions may apply for permanent residency.
Does the 482 visa lead to PR?
Yes. Many applicants transition to subclass 186 after meeting employment and eligibility requirements.
What happens if my 482 visa is refused?
Review rights may apply depending on circumstances and visa type.
Why the 482 Visa Matters
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) remains a core component of Australia’s employer-sponsored migration system. It enables businesses to address workforce shortages while maintaining labour market safeguards.
Applicants considering a 482 visa Australia should assess:
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Occupation eligibility
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Salary thresholds
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Work experience
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English requirements
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Long-term permanent residency strategy
Eligibility and outcomes are determined by legislative instruments in force at the time of application.
Small careless mistakes may result in visa rejection. Book a FREE consultation with Registered Migration Agents will help you get the visa without any headaches.
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