Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (Subclass 482)
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Skills in Demand Visa (SID) (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is Australia’s primary temporary employer-sponsored work visa. It replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024, and lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled worker to fill a genuine position they can’t fill locally.
At a Glance
| Points | Description |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | Up to 4 years (up to 5 years for eligible Hong Kong passport holders) |
| Family | Partner and dependent children can be included |
| Work rights | Full work rights in your sponsored occupation |
| PR pathway | Direct pathway to permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after 2 years of full-time work with an approved sponsor |
The Three Streams
- Specialist Skills stream
for high-income professionals, executive roles and specialists outside the trades, with no restricted occupation list. Minimum salary threshold from 1 July 2026: AUD $146,717+ per year.
- Core Skills stream
the most common pathway, covering roles on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which includes over 450 occupations. Minimum salary threshold from 1 July 2026: AUD $79,499+ per year (or the market salary rate for the role, whichever is higher).
- Labour Agreement stream
for employers who hold a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government, including Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). Salary thresholds vary by agreement.
Eligibility
- A genuine job offer from an approved Australian sponsor
- The nominated occupation is on the relevant occupation list (Core Skills stream) or meets stream requirements
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience
- Meet health and character requirements
- Salary meets the relevant income threshold and market salary rate
How the Process Works
- Sponsorship — your employer applies to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor (if not already approved)
- Nomination — your employer nominates your position, confirms the salary and, for Core Skills roles, carries out labour market testing
- Visa application — you lodge your visa application, providing evidence of your skills, experience, English ability and health/character clearances
Total processing can range from a few weeks for Specialist Skills applications to well over 6 months for Core Skills nominations, depending on your circumstances and how complete your application is.
Your Pathway to Permanent Residency
After 2 years of full-time work with an approved sponsor, most SID visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa.
🔗 Department of Home Affairs — official visa page: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-visa-subclass-482
Let Us Help
Choosing the right stream, confirming your occupation is eligible, and getting your nomination right the first time makes all the difference. Talk to our registered migration agents about your Skills in Demand visa application.