482 Visa Labour Agreement Stream Australia (2026)
Requirements, Employer Sponsorship, Cost & PR Pathway
Last updated: 5 May 2026
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Labour Agreement stream is designed for situations where standard employer-sponsored pathways are not suitable.
This stream allows employers to sponsor overseas workers under a labour agreement negotiated directly with the Australian Government.
What Is the Labour Agreement Stream?
The Labour Agreement stream applies when an employer cannot use standard visa pathways (such as Core Skills or Specialist Skills) due to specific workforce needs.
Instead of relying on general occupation lists, this stream is based on:
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A formal agreement between the employer and the Australian Government
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Customised terms and conditions approved under that agreement
This means eligibility is determined by the specific labour agreement, not a standard set of rules.
482 Labour Agreement Visa Requirements at a Glance (2026)
The 482 Labour Agreement visa allows a stay of up to 4 years, with occupation, salary, and English requirements all set by the specific labour agreement your employer holds with the Australian Government rather than a standard list.
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Stay: up to 4 years
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Cost: from AUD 4,015 (primary applicant government charge)
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Occupation: defined by the specific labour agreement, not a standard occupation list
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Salary: defined by the labour agreement, and must still meet Australian workplace standards
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Work condition: you can only work for your sponsoring employer, in the role specified in the agreement
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PR pathway: may be available, typically through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
You can include eligible family members and travel 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.
When Is This Stream Used?
This stream is typically used when:
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The employer has unique or ongoing labour shortages
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The required occupation is not available through standard visa lists
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The business operates in a sector with special workforce arrangements
Examples include:
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Industry labour agreements
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Company-specific agreements
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Regional workforce agreements
How Labour Agreements Work?
A labour agreement is a formal arrangement between an employer and the Australian Government.
It sets out:
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Approved occupations
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Salary requirements
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English requirements
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Work experience criteria
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Any concessions or special conditions
Each agreement is different.
This means:
Your eligibility depends on the specific terms of the labour agreement your employer is approved under.
Salary Requirements
Salary requirements under this stream are not fixed in the same way as other streams.
However, employers must still ensure that:
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The salary meets the requirements set in the labour agreement
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The salary is consistent with Australian workplace standards
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The salary is not lower than what is approved in the agreement
For general salary framework rules, see the full 482 visa salary requirements guide, which covers CSIT, SSIT, and how the Annual Market Salary Rate applies alongside your labour agreement's own terms.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for this stream, you must meet both standard visa requirements and the specific conditions of the labour agreement.
Employer Sponsorship
You must:
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Be nominated by an employer who is party to an approved labour agreement
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Be offered a genuine full-time position
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Work in the role specified in the agreement
Not sure if your employer holds one? Check RACC's Labour Agreement Company List to confirm whether their agreement is current.
Occupation Requirement
Your occupation must:
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Be listed within the labour agreement
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Match your actual job duties
Unlike other streams, there is no standard occupation list.
Work Experience
You must meet the experience requirements set out in the labour agreement.
This may vary depending on:
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The occupation
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The industry
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The specific agreement
Skills and Qualifications
You must demonstrate that you have the skills required for the role.
Some agreements may require:
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Formal qualifications
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Skills assessments
If your agreement requires a skills assessment, see the 482 visa skills assessment page for which assessing authority applies to your occupation.
English Requirement
English requirements are defined by the labour agreement.
Some agreements may include concessions depending on the role and industry.
For the standard 482 English test scores your agreement may reference, see the 482 visa English requirements guide.
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 while in Australia.
Can You Include Family Members?
Yes.
You can include eligible family members such as:
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Your partner
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Your dependent children
They must meet health and character requirements.
How Much Does the 482 Labour Agreement Visa Cost? (2026)
The 482 Labour Agreement visa costs from AUD 4,015 for the primary applicant — the same government visa application charge as the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams. Adult dependants pay the same amount, while children under 18 pay a reduced charge.
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Main applicant: AUD 4,015
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Adult dependant: AUD 4,015
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Child (under 18): AUD 1,005
For personalised estimates, use the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator, or see the full 482 visa cost and fees breakdown for government charges, SAF levy rates, and additional costs.
Additional Costs
Applicants may also need to pay for:
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English tests
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Skills assessments
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Health examinations
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Police certificates
Costs vary depending on individual circumstances.
How Long Does the 482 Labour Agreement Visa Take to Process? (2026)
Based on the Department of Home Affairs' published processing times (current as of September 2026), the Labour Agreement stream is the slowest of the three 482 visa streams:
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25% of applications processed in: 6 months
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50% of applications processed in: 7 months
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75% of applications processed in: 9 months
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90% of applications processed in: 10 months
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Maximum: 365 days
See the full 482 visa processing time breakdown for how this compares to the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams.
These timeframes are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Processing may take longer if:
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The application is incomplete or missing information
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Additional documents are required
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Health, character or background checks take longer
Applicants can monitor their application status through ImmiAccount, and the Department will contact you once a decision has been made.
For current estimates, refer to the official visa processing time tool.
Permanent Residency Pathway
The Labour Agreement stream may provide a pathway to permanent residency.
This depends on the terms of the labour agreement.
In many cases, applicants may transition through:
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
However, eligibility is determined by:
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The agreement conditions
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Employer nomination
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Meeting visa requirements at the time of application
In many cases, applicants may transition through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Application Process (How It Works)
This process involves two layers: the employer agreement and your visa application.
Step 1 – Labour Agreement Approval (Employer)
The employer must:
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Negotiate and obtain approval for a labour agreement
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Meet government requirements
Without an approved labour agreement, this stream cannot be used.
Step 2 – Nomination
The employer nominates your position under the agreement.
This includes:
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Occupation
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Salary
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Terms of employment
Step 3 – Visa Application
You lodge your visa application with supporting documents, including:
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Identity documents
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Work experience evidence
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Qualifications
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English (if required)
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Health and character documents
Important
Your visa application cannot be approved unless:
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The labour agreement is valid, and
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The nomination meets the agreement conditions
Quick Answers
What is the 482 Labour Agreement stream?
It is a visa pathway for employers who have a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government, allowing them to sponsor workers under customised conditions.
Who is eligible for the Labour Agreement stream?
You may be eligible if:
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Your employer has an approved labour agreement
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You are nominated under that agreement
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You meet the conditions specified in the agreement
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You meet standard visa requirements
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused
Applications can be refused if key requirements are not met.
Common issues include:
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The employer does not have a valid labour agreement
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The nomination does not align with agreement conditions
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Salary does not meet the agreement requirements
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Insufficient evidence of skills or experience
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Incomplete or inconsistent application documents
Related Pages
Need Help With Your 482 Labour Agreement Visa?
This stream is highly dependent on employer-specific agreements.
If the agreement or nomination is not properly structured, the visa cannot be approved.
RACC’s registered migration agents can help you:
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Assess whether your employer has a valid labour agreement
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Review eligibility under agreement conditions
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Guide employer nomination requirements
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Plan your pathway 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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