482 Visa Core Skills Stream Australia (2026)
Requirements, Salary, Cost, Processing Time & PR Pathway
Last updated: 5 May 2026
The Core Skills Stream is the main employer-sponsored pathway under Australia’s Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa. It allows approved Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers in eligible occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Eligible applicants can apply from either inside or outside Australia, provided they are nominated by an approved sponsor and meet the relevant visa requirements. Successful applicants can generally be granted a visa for up to 4 years.
To qualify, you must be nominated by an approved employer and meet the requirements for an eligible CSOL occupation. The visa may also provide a pathway to permanent residency.
Quick Facts About the Core Skills Stream
Before applying for the Core Skills Stream, it is important to understand the key eligibility and visa settings:
✓ Employer-sponsored visa pathway
✓ Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa stream
✓ Visa validity of up to 4 years
✓ Occupation must generally be on the CSOL
✓ Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience
✓ English language requirements apply
✓ Health and character requirements apply
✓ Potential pathway to permanent residency
What Is the Core Skills Stream?
The Core Skills stream is one of three streams under the 482 visa. It is designed for applicants whose occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and who are sponsored by an Australian employer.
Unlike points-tested visas, this visa does not require an invitation or a points score. Eligibility is based on three key factors:
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A genuine job offer from an approved sponsor
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An eligible occupation on the CSOL
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A salary that meets both the government threshold and market rate
If these requirements are met, you can apply for a temporary work visa tied to your sponsoring employer.
Who Is the Core Skills Stream Designed For?
The Core Skills Stream may be suitable for eligible applicants who can obtain sponsorship from an approved Australian employer, including:
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Overseas skilled workers with a job offer from an Australian employer.
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Temporary residents in Australia who meet the visa requirements.
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Existing subclass 482 visa holders changing employers.
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Workers in occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
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Skilled workers seeking an employer-sponsored pathway to work in Australia.
Core Skills Stream Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the Core Skills stream, you must meet the following criteria.
Employer Sponsorship
You must:
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Be nominated by an approved Australian sponsor
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Be offered a genuine, full-time position
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Work in the nominated role for that employer
Occupation Requirement
Your occupation must:
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Be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
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Match your actual duties and background
Work Experience
You must have:
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At least 1 year of relevant work experience
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In your occupation or a closely related field
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Completed within the last 5 years
Skills and Qualifications
You must demonstrate that you have the skills required for the role.
Some applicants must complete a skills assessment. If it is mandatory for your occupation, it must be started before you lodge your visa application.
English Requirement
You must meet minimum English language requirements unless an exemption applies.
Accepted tests include IELTS, PTE and equivalent tests.
Health and Character
You and any included family members must:
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Meet health requirements
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Meet character requirements
Health Insurance
You must maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
For more explanation of 482 visa in general please visit our 482 visa requirement Australia
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
To be eligible for the Core Skills stream, your nominated occupation must generally be included on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
The CSOL is the occupation list used for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa Core Skills stream. It contains occupations identified by the Australian Government as experiencing workforce shortages and allows approved employers to sponsor suitably qualified overseas workers.
Your nominated occupation should accurately reflect the role you will perform in Australia and align with the relevant ANZSCO occupation. The occupation selected by your employer must be consistent with your qualifications, work experience, and day-to-day duties.
The CSOL covers a broad range of occupations across multiple industries, including:
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Healthcare and aged care
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Information technology
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Engineering
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Construction and trades
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Education and training
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Hospitality and tourism
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Professional services
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Transport and logistics
As the occupation list may be updated from time to time, employers and applicants should always check the latest CSOL before lodging a nomination or visa application.
Examples of Occupations on the CSOL
The Core Skills Occupation List includes occupations from many sectors of the Australian economy. Common examples include:
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Software Engineer
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Developer Programmer
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ICT Business Analyst
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Registered Nurse
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Civil Engineer
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Mechanical Engineer
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Accountant (General)
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Chef
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Electrician (General)
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Motor Mechanic (General)
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Secondary School Teacher
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Early Childhood Teacher
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Construction Project Manager
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Carpenter
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Plumber (General)
These examples are provided for general information only and do not represent the full occupation list. Eligibility depends on the current CSOL, the nominated position, and whether the applicant meets the relevant skills, experience, and visa requirements.
Core Skills vs Specialist Skills
Understanding the difference between the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams can help you determine which pathway is more suitable.
How to decide
If your salary does not meet the higher Specialist Skills threshold, your application will generally fall under the Core Skills stream (if eligible).
If your salary meets the higher threshold, you may be assessed under the Specialist Skills stream instead.
Core Skills Stream – Key Facts (2026)
You can include eligible family members and travel in and out of Australia during the visa validity period.
If you are unsure whether your occupation or salary qualifies, a structured assessment can help identify the correct visa pathway before you apply.
Core Skills Stream Salary Requirements (Critical Section)
To be eligible under the Core Skills stream, your salary must satisfy both of the following requirements.
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
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Current minimum threshold: AUD 76,515
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Indexed annually by the government
If your nominated salary is below this threshold, the visa cannot be approved.
Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
The AMSR ensures that you are paid at the same level as an equivalent Australian worker in the same role.
This means:
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Your salary must match industry standards
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Your salary cannot be artificially lowered because you are a visa holder
If the market rate for your role is higher than AUD 76,515, your employer must pay the higher amount.
How Salary Is Assessed
Your salary must be the higher of:
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The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), or
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The Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
Both conditions must be satisfied at the time of nomination. please read our page for more information about general 482 visa salary requirement
Core Skills Stream Visa Cost (2026)
Government Visa Fees
For personalised estimates, use the official tool Visa pricing estimator
Additional Costs (What to Expect)
In addition to the visa application charge, applicants typically incur costs for:
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English language testing
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Skills assessment (if required)
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Health examinations
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Police certificates
These costs vary depending on your occupation, country of application and individual circumstances. There is no fixed total, and applicants should rely on official providers and quotations rather than estimates.
What You Can Do on This Core Skills Stream 482 Visa
With this visa, you can:
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Work in Australia for your sponsoring employer
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Study (without government funding)
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Travel in and out of Australia
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Include eligible family members
Visa Conditions
You must:
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Work only in your nominated occupation
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Work only for your sponsoring employer (or approved associated entity)
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Start employment within the required timeframe
Core Skills Stream Processing Time (2026 Guide)
Processing times vary depending on application quality, employer compliance and external checks.
Based on recent official processing data (as at 5 May 2026):
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50% of applications: approximately 69 days
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90% of applications: up to 8 months
These are indicative only and not guaranteed.
For the latest updates, refer to Visa processing times Immi.
Permanent Residency Pathway for Core Skills Stream 482 Visa
The Core Skills stream can lead to permanent residency through employer sponsorship.
The most common pathway is:
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) (Temporary Residence Transition stream)
Typical pathway:
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Hold a 482 visa
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Work in eligible sponsored employment
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Meet employer and visa requirements
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Apply for permanent residency
For a full breakdown of PR options Read our 482 visa to PR pathway page
Application Process of Core Skills Stream
The application process involves three stages:
Step 1 – Sponsorship
The employer becomes an approved sponsor.
Step 2 – Nomination
The employer nominates:
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The position
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Salary
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Occupation
Step 3 – Visa Application
You lodge your visa application with supporting documents.
Can You Apply for the Core Skills Stream From Overseas?
Yes. You can apply for the Core Skills stream while outside Australia.
Before you can lodge a visa application, an approved Australian employer must nominate you for an eligible position under the Core Skills stream. The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and the position must meet the relevant salary requirements.
The application process generally involves:
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The employer becoming or holding approved sponsor status.
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The employer lodging a nomination for the position.
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The worker lodging the visa application.
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The Department assessing the nomination and visa application.
If approved, you can travel to Australia and commence employment with your sponsoring employer.
Can You Apply for the Core Skills Stream While in Australia?
Yes. You may be able to apply for the Core Skills stream while in Australia if you hold an eligible visa and meet the visa requirements.
Common applicants include:
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Student visa holders who have completed their studies and secured employer sponsorship.
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Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) holders seeking to transition to an employer-sponsored pathway.
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Eligible Bridging Visa holders who can lodge a valid application while in Australia.
Applicants must still satisfy all Core Skills stream requirements, including employer sponsorship, occupation eligibility, work experience, English language requirements, and health and character requirements.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused
Even if you meet the basic requirements, applications can still be refused if key criteria are not properly addressed.
Common issues include:
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Salary does not meet the required threshold or Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
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The nominated occupation does not match actual job duties
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The role is not considered genuine
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Insufficient evidence of work experience or qualifications
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Employer nomination does not meet requirements
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Incomplete or inconsistent application documents
Many refusals occur at the nomination stage rather than the visa application itself.
FAQ – Core Skills Stream 482 Visa
Can I change employer on a 482 visa?
Yes, but a new employer must lodge a nomination before you can start working for them.
Does the 482 Core Skills stream lead to permanent residency?
Yes, if you meet the requirements for employer-sponsored permanent visas such as the Subclass 186.
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit for the 482 visa itself. However, age limits may apply when transitioning to permanent residency.
Can I apply without a job offer?
No. You must have an approved sponsor and a nominated position before applying.
Can I include my partner and children?
Yes. Eligible family members can be included in your application and must meet health and character requirements.
What happens if I lose my job?
You must either find a new sponsor, apply for another visa, or leave Australia within the allowed timeframe.
Do I need a skills assessment?
Only if it is required for your occupation or requested by the Department.
Can I apply while in Australia?
Yes, if you hold a substantive visa or an eligible bridging visa.
Related Pages
Need Help With Your 482 Core Skills Visa?
If you are unsure about your eligibility, occupation, or salary compliance, getting it wrong can lead to refusal or delays.
RACC’s registered migration agents can help you:
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Assess your occupation against CSOL and ANZSCO
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Verify salary against AMSR and thresholds
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Guide employer nomination requirements
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Plan your pathway from 482 to permanent residency
Book a consultation to get a clear, case-specific assessment before you apply.
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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