Employer Sponsored Provisional Visa

Australia Skills in Demand (SID) Visa – Subclass 482

Updated Overview (as at November 2025)

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482) is an employer-sponsored temporary work visa designed to help Australian businesses address genuine skill shortages when suitably skilled Australian citizens or permanent residents are not available.

The visa allows approved employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers to work in Australia and, in many cases, provides a potential pathway to permanent residency.

1. Background and Visa Evolution

• The former Subclass 457 visa was abolished on 18 March 2018.
• It was replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa – Subclass 482.
• From 7 December 2024, the TSS framework was restructured and rebranded as the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482), reflecting a stronger focus on labour market needs and skills shortages.

2. Who Can Apply?

Applicants may lodge their visa application either inside or outside Australia.

However, individuals cannot self-apply, an application must be supported by an eligible sponsoring employer.

Employer Eligibility

To sponsor a worker under the SID 482 visa, a business must:

• Be lawfully operating in Australia;
• Hold approval as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) or another approved sponsor type;
• Demonstrate that it is unable to fill the role with an appropriately skilled Australian citizen or permanent resident.

3. SID 482 Visa Streams

Under the current framework, the SID 482 visa is divided into three main streams:

(a) Specialist Skills Stream
For roles requiring highly specialised or advanced expertise.

(b) Core Skills Stream
For skilled occupations critical to Australia’s labour market across a wide range of industries.

(c) Labour Agreement Stream
For employers operating under a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.
This stream applies where standard visa programs do not adequately address the employer’s workforce needs, including regional and industry-specific shortages.

4. Key Applicant Requirements

While requirements vary depending on the occupation and stream, applicants generally must meet the following:

(a) Occupation and Skills

• The nominated occupation must be recognised under Australia’s skilled occupation framework.
• Applicants must demonstrate that their skills and experience align with the relevant ANZSCO occupation.

(b) Work Experience

• In most cases, at least 1 year of relevant full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) is required.

(c) English Language

• English requirements depend on the stream, occupation, and applicable legislative instrument.
• Updated English language settings apply from September 2025, and applicants should always rely on the most current Home Affairs guidance.
  

(d) Health and Character

• All applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

5. Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Before nominating an overseas worker, employers are generally required to undertake Labour Market Testing to show genuine efforts to recruit Australians first.

• Typically involves advertising the position through at least two approved recruitment channels.
• Certain exemptions may apply, including under trade agreements or labour agreements.

6. Salary Requirements

Employers must demonstrate that:

• The sponsored worker will be paid at least the Market Salary Rate (MSR) for the role; and
• The salary meets or exceeds the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).

TSMIT has been indexed upward in recent years, and sponsors must always rely on the current threshold applicable at the time of nomination. The TSMIT threshold increased from AUD 73,150 (effective 1 July 2024) to AUD 76,515 (effective 1 July 2025), excluding superannuation, with any further changes subject to government determination.

7. Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy

Employers sponsoring workers under the SID 482 visa must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which contributes to training the local workforce.

• The levy amount depends on the employer’s annual turnover.
• It is payable upfront for each year of the proposed employment period.

8. Pathways After SID 482

Although the SID 482 is a temporary visa, it may lead to longer-term options where eligibility criteria are met, including:

Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) – Subclass 186

Eligible SID 482 holders may transition to permanent residency through the ENS program, subject to age, English, work experience, and employer nomination requirements.

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

In designated regional areas, employers may sponsor workers under DAMA arrangements, which operate under negotiated concessions and may use:

• Subclass 482 (SID)
• Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Provisional)
• Subclass 186 (ENS)

Individuals cannot apply for DAMA independently — sponsorship must come from an endorsed employer operating within the designated region.

9. Application Process (Simplified)

The SID 482 process typically involves three stages:

1. Sponsorship approval – the employer is approved as a sponsor;
2. Nomination application – the employer nominates a specific position;
3. Visa application – the worker applies for the visa and meets all eligibility requirements.

10. Key Policy Notes (as at November 2025)

• Subclass 482 now operates under the Skills in Demand (SID) framework;
• Minimum work experience requirements have generally reduced to 1 year;
• Labour Market Testing requirements have been streamlined;
• English language and occupation settings are subject to ongoing updates;
• Applicants and employers should always rely on the latest legislative instruments and Home Affairs guidance.

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