Skills in Demand Visa — Subclass 482

Helping Australian employers sponsor the skilled workers their business needs — and helping skilled professionals build their future in Australia.

Skills in Demand Visa

Subclass 482

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa — Subclass 482 — is Australia’s primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa. Introduced in late 2024 as the replacement for the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, the SID visa provides a clearer, more flexible framework for employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers across three distinct streams.

 

LRG Lawyers advises both employers and employees on all aspects of the SID visa — from Standard Business Sponsorship applications through to nomination, visa lodgement, and the transition to permanent residence via the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186).

Three-stage process

With three stages to a 482 Visa application, the process can quickly become overwhelming: As the employer, you need to apply for approval as a Standard Business Sponsor or have a labour agreement approved. You must nominate the position for approval by the Department of Home Affairs. To apply for the 482 visa, the visa applicant must have the required skills and/or experience to perform the nominated role.

The Three Streams

Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills Stream is for occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). It is the most commonly used stream and covers a broad range of skilled occupations across industries including construction, engineering, healthcare, hospitality, and professional services.

Key requirements:

  • The nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List
  • The position must be paid at least at the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and at any applicable occupation-specific rate
  • Labour Market Testing (LMT) is required for most occupations — the employer must demonstrate genuine attempts to source an appropriately skilled Australian worker before sponsoring overseas
  • The employer must hold an approved Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

Specialist Skills Stream

The Specialist Skills Stream is for highly specialised roles attracting above-threshold remuneration. Unlike the Core Skills Stream, there is no requirement for the occupation to appear on a specified occupation list — making this stream more flexible for roles that fall outside standard classification frameworks.

Key requirements:

  • The position must be paid above the Specialist Skills income threshold
  • No ANZSCO occupation list requirement
  • The employer must hold an approved Standard Business Sponsorship
  • The role must be genuine and the remuneration must reflect the specialised nature of the position

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement Stream is for employers who have entered into a formal Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs. Labour Agreements are negotiated where standard sponsorship arrangements are not available or appropriate — typically for industries or occupations with unique workforce needs that cannot be met through the standard streams.

Key requirements:

  • A current, approved Labour Agreement between the employer and the Department of Home Affairs must be in place
  • The nominated occupation and conditions must comply with the terms of the Labour Agreement
  • LRG Lawyers advises employers on whether a Labour Agreement may be appropriate for their circumstances and assists with the negotiation and application process

Why Choose LRG Lawyers

Employer-sponsored migration is one of the most obligation-heavy areas of Australian immigration law. For employers, getting it wrong exposes your business to compliance risks, sponsorship cancellation, and significant financial penalties. For employees, a poorly managed sponsorship can jeopardise your right to remain in Australia.

LRG Lawyers brings precision and commercial understanding to every SID visa matter — whether you are an employer building a sponsored workforce or a skilled professional planning your future in Australia. Our boutique structure means you work directly with a senior lawyer throughout your matter, with no ambiguity about who is responsible for your outcome.

Arrange a consultation

Get in touch

If you need professional advice on the Skills in Demand Visa, please get in touch to arrange a consultation with our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers.


Call: +61 2 8084 2142 or Email: info@lrglawyers.com.au

Send us a message