Skills In Demand Visa · Subclass 482
Work in Australia on the Skills in Demand visa
The Skills in Demand visa lets Australian employers sponsor skilled workers from overseas. We act for both workers and businesses, from sponsorship and nomination through to the visa itself.
What It Is
The Subclass 482, explained simply
The Skills in Demand visa, Subclass 482, replaced the older TSS visa. It has three streams that suit different skill levels and occupations. In every case, an approved Australian business sponsors the worker, nominates the position, and the worker then applies for the visa. We manage all three steps together so nothing falls out of sequence.
The Three Streams
Which Skills in Demand stream fits
Stream 1
Specialist Skills
For highly skilled workers in specialist roles that meet the higher income threshold. This stream offers faster processing for the right occupations.
Stream 2
Core Skills
The main stream for skilled workers in occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, meeting the core income threshold.
Stream 3
Essential Skills
For certain lower paid roles addressed through labour agreements and designated arrangements, where a genuine shortage exists.
Employers
Sponsorship and nomination
Before a worker can apply, your business must be an approved sponsor and must nominate the role. We prepare both, and we keep you compliant afterwards.
Who We Help
Workers and businesses, both sides covered
For skilled workers
We check your occupation, your skills assessment, and your English, then guide you through sponsorship to the visa itself.
For employers
We help your business become an approved sponsor, nominate roles correctly, and meet your ongoing sponsor obligations.
Skills assessment
Many occupations require a positive skills assessment. We identify the right assessing authority and help you prepare.
Pathways to permanent
For many workers, the Skills in Demand visa can lead toward permanent residence over time. We plan with that goal in mind.
Costs
Fixed professional fees, official government charges
We charge fixed professional fees, agreed in writing before work begins. Government charges for sponsorship, nomination and the visa are separate, and they change over time. The Skilling Australians Fund levy may also apply to employers. For current figures, always check the Federal Register of Legislation or the ImmiAccount fee estimator. We confirm every cost in writing first.
Common Questions
Skills in Demand questions, answered plainly
Which occupations qualify?
It depends on the stream and the relevant occupation list, which the government updates. We check your specific occupation against the current lists during your consultation.
Do I need a job offer first?
Yes. The Skills in Demand visa is employer sponsored, so you need an approved sponsor and a nominated role before you can apply. We can guide an employer through becoming a sponsor.
Can this lead to permanent residence?
For many workers, yes, over time and subject to the rules. We plan your Skills in Demand application with any future permanent pathway in mind.
How long does sponsorship take?
Processing times vary by stream and by how complete the application is. Specialist Skills roles are designed for faster processing. We give you current estimates in your consultation.
The lawyers behind your Skills in Demand application
Sam specialises in Skills in Demand strategy and skilled pathways; Deepika leads on employer sponsorship files. Between them your nomination and visa are prepared to be decision ready.
Meet the whole team →
What Skills in Demand clients say
Deepika took the time to understand my background, my work history, and my goals. She planned my entire skilled migration pathway with such clarity that I finally felt confident again. My SID application was successful and I am now working in Melbourne.
Sam made the SID process straightforward and stress-free. He understood my work history clearly and guided me on every document I needed. Thanks to him, my visa was approved faster than I expected.
How a Skills in Demand matter runs with us
Consultation
We look at your circumstances, map the pathways open to you, flag the risks and give you a fixed fee quote in writing before any work begins.
Strategy and checklist
We decide the strongest approach first, then set you up in our secure client portal with a tailored document checklist so you always know what is needed.
Evidence and preparation
We review every document, draft the submissions and statements, and quality check the file so it is decision ready before it goes anywhere near the Department.
Lodgement and follow through
We lodge, respond to any Department requests, keep you updated at every stage and stay with your matter until the decision.
Skills in Demand visa costs in 2026
A 482 application involves charges paid by the business (sponsorship, nomination and the Skilling Australians Fund levy) and the visa application charge paid by the applicant. Our fixed professional fee is separate.
Our professional fee: fixed, in writing
You approve the fee before work begins. There is no hourly billing and no hidden extras. Book a consultation for a quote on your exact situation.
Get a fixed fee quote| Government charge (main applicant) | From 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482 Main applicant, all streams | $4,015 |
| Additional applicant, each Family member included in the same application | $4,015 (18 and over) / $1,005 (under 18) |
| Nomination application Paid by the sponsoring business | $330 |
| Standard business sponsorship Paid by the business, valid for five years | $420 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy Per year of visa, paid by the business | $1,200 (turnover under $10m) or $1,800 |
Government charges are taken from the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing table and the Administrative Review Tribunal fee schedule (charges from 1 July 2026, checked 17 August 2026) and are a guide only. Surcharges and other government fees may apply, and charges change. Our professional fee is fixed and quoted separately in writing. We confirm every figure in your quote.
Skills in Demand questions we hear most
How much does a 482 visa cost in 2026?
The visa application charge is $4,015 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026, with further charges for family members. The business pays the sponsorship and nomination charges and the Skilling Australians Fund levy, which by law cannot be passed on to the worker. Our professional fee is fixed and quoted in writing.
How long is a Skills in Demand visa granted for?
Up to four years, depending on the stream and the nomination. Time spent working for your sponsor can count towards a permanent employer sponsored visa later.
Can the 482 lead to permanent residency?
Yes. After working for your sponsoring employer for the required period, many 482 holders move to the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) through the temporary residence transition stream. We plan that pathway from day one so nothing you do now closes a door later.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 482?
It depends on your occupation and your passport country. Some combinations require a formal skills assessment, others do not. We confirm what applies to you before anything is lodged.
What English level do I need?
The Skills in Demand visa has an English requirement that can be met with an accepted test result or through certain exemptions, such as passports from specified English speaking countries. Test score requirements changed recently, so we check the current rules for your stream.
Guides from our lawyers
482 Visa Requirements 2026: The Full Checklist
Every requirement for applicants, in plain English.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) Explained
The Core, Specialist and Labour Agreement streams and who fits where.
Ready to sponsor, or be sponsored?
Book a consultation. Whether you are a worker or a business, we will map the right stream, the steps, and the costs in plain language.
03 8108 8748 · info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au