Planning a move to Australia for skilled work? The Australia Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) is the main door employers use to bring skilled workers into the country on a temporary basis. It’s employer-sponsored, so you’ll need a genuine job offer from an approved Australian business before applying. Here’s something worth knowing upfront: the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 disappeared on 7 December 2024, replaced entirely by the Skills in Demand visa. Older guides online may still mention “TSS 482” that terminology is outdated now. Requirements shift by stream, occupation, employer and personal circumstances, and 2026 brought fresh processing-priority changes worth understanding before you lodge anything.
What Is the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)?
The Skills in Demand visa lets Australian employers sponsor overseas workers to fill genuine skill shortages. Your employer nominates you for a specific role, and once approved, you can live and work in Australia for that business. You can’t apply independently sponsorship comes first, then nomination, then your visa application. Home Affairs currently lists visa duration as one to four years, depending on your circumstances. Unlike a general work visa, subclass 482 ties you to a nominated employer and occupation, so switching jobs usually means a fresh nomination.
Is the Subclass 482 Visa Temporary or Permanent?
It’s temporary. That said, many 482 holders eventually pursue Australia permanent residence through subclass 186. Not everyone automatically qualifies, though eligibility depends on occupation, employment history and other factors covered below.
Latest 482 Visa Updates for 2026
482 Visa Replaced the TSS Visa
On 7 December 2024, the government retired the Temporary Skill Shortage visa and folded its functions into the Skills in Demand visa. Same subclass number, different name, somewhat different rules. Treat any “TSS 482” content dated before late 2024 as historical background.
New Skilled Visa Processing Priorities From September 2026
Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 took effect on 19 September 2026, replacing the earlier Direction 119. For subclass 482, Direction 121 sets this order:
- Priority occupations in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, plus law enforcement and defence roles
- Specialist Skills stream applications
- Applicants who were onshore when they lodged
- Certain applicants who lodged from outside Australia
- All other applications
Processing priority affects the order your file gets reviewed it’s not a guarantee of approval or a fixed timeline.
2026 Skilled Visa Income Threshold Changes
Income thresholds are indexed annually, and 1 July 2026 brought another increase. Because figures move yearly, check the Department of Home Affairs website for the exact current threshold before lodging.
Visa Streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement
Core Skills Stream
The everyday pathway for most sponsored workers. Your occupation must sit on the Core Skills Occupation List, and your salary must clear the Core Skills Income Threshold or the relevant market rate, whichever is higher.
Specialist Skills Stream
Built for higher-paid roles across ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, this stream skips the occupation-list requirement but demands a much higher salary. Following the September 2026 changes, these applications now sit near the front of the processing queue.
Labour Agreement Stream
Some employers negotiate a formal labour agreement with the government to sponsor workers outside standard rules. Terms vary by agreement, so don’t assume Core Skills conditions apply here.
Eligibility Requirements
- Employer sponsorship: nomination from an approved Australian sponsor for an eligible position.
- Skills and experience: generally around 12 months’ relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.
- English language: requirements vary by stream and exemption, so confirm the applicable test and score.
- Occupation rules: your job must match an occupation in the relevant legislative instrument Home Affairs currently references LIN 24/089, so skip outdated STSOL and MLTSSL lists.
- Health and character: health exams and police certificates, with extra checks sometimes required.
- Licensing: regulated professions, healthcare being a common example, often need registration first.
482 Visa Salary Requirements in 2026
Salary thresholds stop Australian skilled migration from undercutting local wages, and they’re indexed yearly. Your employer must pay the higher of the relevant income threshold or the genuine market salary rate. Which threshold applies depends on stream and occupation, so check current Home Affairs figures rather than last year’s numbers.
482 Visa Occupation List and Eligible Jobs
Confirm your ANZSCO code, then check it against the current subclass 482 occupation instrument. Occupations across IT, engineering, healthcare, teaching, construction, management, trades and professional services regularly appear on eligible lists, but eligibility always hinges on your exact occupation code, not the broad category.
How to Apply for the 482 Visa
Getting from job offer to visa grant runs through five stages: find a sponsoring employer, have them nominate your position, gather documents (passport, employment evidence, qualifications, English results, police certificates, health documents), lodge through ImmiAccount with fees paid, then respond promptly to follow-up requests.
Processing Time, Costs, Family and Work Conditions
Processing time depends on your stream, application completeness, location and where you land in the September 2026 priority order. Home Affairs’ published figures are averages, not guarantees.
Costs include the visa application charge, health checks, police certificates, English testing, skills assessments where relevant, and migration agent fees all subject to change.
Family members can generally join as dependants with relationship, health and character evidence, though work and study rights depend on your specific visa conditions.
You’re expected to work for your sponsoring employer in your nominated occupation. Changing jobs usually means arranging a new nomination first get advice before resigning.
Can a 482 Visa Lead to Australian Permanent Residency?
Subclass 482 stays temporary, but it’s a common stepping stone toward subclass 186, including a Temporary Residence Transition stream for Skills in Demand holders across all occupations. Whether you’ll qualify depends on occupation, employer, visa history, age and other requirements. Nobody can promise PR after a set number of years.
482 Visa vs Other Australian Skilled Work Visas
Not sure whether 482 is your best option? Here’s a quick comparison.
|
Visa |
Main Purpose |
Sponsorship |
Nature |
|
Subclass 482 |
Employer-sponsored skilled work |
Employer |
Temporary |
|
Subclass 186 |
Employer-sponsored PR |
Employer |
Permanent |
|
Subclass 494 |
Regional employer-sponsored work |
Employer |
Provisional |
|
Subclass 189 |
Independent skilled migration |
None |
Permanent |
|
State-nominated skilled migration |
State/Territory |
Permanent |
These pathways aren’t interchangeable, so match the visa to your actual circumstances.
Why Choose Ausizz Migration Consultants for Your 482 Visa Application?
Navigating sponsorship, occupation codes, income thresholds and shifting processing priorities isn’t light reading. Ausizz Migration Consultants works through it with clients from the first step: assessing eligibility, mapping the right visa pathway, building a document checklist, guiding employer-sponsorship arrangements and reviewing applications before they reach Home Affairs. The team also supports family-member applications and current Australia PR-pathway guidance.
Common Questions About the Australia Skills in Demand Visa 482
What is the Skills in Demand visa 482?
It’s Australia’s employer-sponsored temporary skilled visa, replacing the old TSS 482 since December 2024.
Is the 482 visa still called the TSS visa?
No. TSS 482 is outdated terminology; the current visa is the Skills in Demand visa.
What changed after December 2024?
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the TSS visa, with revised streams and occupation rules.
What are the 482 visa streams?
Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement, each with different requirements.
Do I need an Australian employer to sponsor me?
Yes, an approved sponsor must nominate you for an eligible position.
How much work experience is required?
Generally around 12 months in your nominated occupation or a related field.
What is the 482 visa salary requirement in 2026?
You must meet the relevant indexed income threshold or the market salary rate, whichever is higher.
Is my occupation eligible for the 482 visa?
Check your ANZSCO code against the current occupation instrument, LIN 24/089, for your stream.
Can a 482 visa lead to PR?
It can lead toward subclass 186 for eligible applicants, but PR isn’t automatic.
Can I apply for a 482 visa from India?
Yes, applicants from India can apply provided they meet sponsorship and eligibility criteria.
Conclusion
Subclass 482 now runs as the Skills in Demand visa, not the old TSS 482 you might still see referenced online. Eligibility comes down to sponsorship, occupation, skills, experience and English ability, and requirements shift by stream. If you’re applying in 2026, pay close attention to updated income thresholds and the September processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 121 priority order isn’t the same as guaranteed approval. Always verify current requirements against official Home Affairs sources before you lodge, and if you’d rather not navigate it alone, Ausizz Migration Consultants is ready to help with your Australia Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) journey.