Skills in Demand (SID) – Subclass 482

For skilled applicants with an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The Core Skills Stream under the Skills in Demand visa Australia allows approved employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers in occupations facing shortages. This is the closest equivalent to the old 482 visa pathway.

Key Requirements

• You must be nominated by an approved Australian employer.

• The occupation must be on the official Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

• You must be paid at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), currently set at AUD 76,515 (as of 1 July 2025).

• At least one year of relevant full-time work experience in your nominated occupation (or closely related field) is required (provided you hold a relevant qualification)

• A positive skills assessment may be necessary for certain occupations, unless an exemption applies.

• You must demonstrate adequate English ability, such as achieving an IELTS score of 5.0 overall with no band less than 5.0, or equivalent in other approved tests (such as the PTE test), unless exempt.

• Applicants must meet standard health and character requirements, which may include medical examinations and police clearances. This requirements may be subject to exemptions.

• The visa allows you to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years (5 years if you hold a Hong Kong passport).

• You can travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.

The Core Skills Stream provides a pathway to permanent residency through visas such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), provided eligibility criteria are met.

The Specialist Skills Stream under the Skills in Demand visa Australia targets highly skilled roles that cannot be filled locally. Unlike the Core Skills Stream, it does not rely on an occupation list. Instead, eligibility is based on your expertise and the salary offered.

• You must be nominated by an approved Australian employer.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​Your occupation is an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) occupation listed in Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6, where the nominated salary for the position meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold currently set at $141,210/year.

• At least one year of relevant full-time work experience in your nominated occupation (or closely related field) is required (provided a relevant qualification is held).

• You must demonstrate adequate English ability, such as achieving an IELTS score of 5.0 overall with no band less than 5.0, or equivalent in other approved tests, unless exempt.

• Applicants must meet standard health and character requirements, which may include medical examinations and police clearances.

• The visa allows you to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years (5 years if you hold a Hong Kong passport).

• You can travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.

The Specialist Skills Stream can provide a pathway to permanent residency through Subclass 186 employer-sponsored visa, depending on your occupation and circumstances.

The Labour Agreement stream of the 482 visa allows approved employers to sponsor overseas workers under special arrangements with the Australian Government.
Labour agreements are designed to address specific workforce shortages where standard visa programs are not suitable.
Common agreements include Company Specific agreements, Project agreements, Industry agreements, and the highly used Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).

The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) pathway under the Skills in Demand visa allows approved employers in certain regional areas to sponsor overseas workers for occupations that are not available through the standard streams. It provides flexibility for regions facing unique labour shortages.

• To qualify for the 482 DAMA pathway, you must be sponsored by an employer endorsed under a Designated Area Migration Agreement in a designated regional area.

• DAMAs can include a wider range of occupations, including roles not normally eligible under the Core Skills or Specialist Skills streams.

• Concessions may apply to qualifications, experience, and English language levels, depending on the DAMA region.

• Salaries must generally meet the Concessional Thresholds approved under the DAMA, which may be lower than the national income thresholds under the other streams.

• Employers must comply with workplace laws and sponsorship obligations.

• The exact requirements depend on the DAMA agreement, but usually include relevant work experience and qualifications in the nominated role.

• English levels may be reduced compared to the standard Skills in Demand streams, reflecting regional labour needs.

• All applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, including medical checks and police clearances.

• The DAMA pathway visa is generally granted for up to 4 years, with full work rights for the nominated employer.

• It allows multiple entries while the visa is valid.

Many DAMA agreements include a structured pathway to permanent residency, usually through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) after a qualifying period of regional employment.