SC 482 Skills in Demand Visa Australia 2026: Salary, Streams and How to Apply
Australia’s main employer-sponsored work visa has a new name and a new structure. The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 — keeping the same subclass number but redesigning everything inside it. Three salary-based streams replaced the old short-term and medium-term occupation lists, a single consolidated occupation list replaced two separate lists, and the pathway to permanent residency became clearer and faster.
If you are a skilled worker looking to work in Australia through employer sponsorship — or an employer trying to understand what changed — this guide covers the 2026 rules, salary thresholds, processing times, and what happens to your PR pathway.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa eligibility is subject to the legislation in force at the time of your application. Consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARN) for advice specific to your circumstances.
At a glance
| Visa type | Temporary employer-sponsored work visa |
| Replaced | TSS visa (Subclass 482) — from 7 December 2024 |
| Streams | Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Essential Skills |
| Core Skills minimum salary | $76,515 until 30 June 2026 → $79,499 from 1 July 2026 |
| Specialist Skills minimum salary | $141,210 until 30 June 2026 → $146,717 from 1 July 2026 |
| Core Skills processing time | 6–14 months total (sponsorship + nomination + visa) |
| Specialist Skills processing time | 7 days (median) |
| Visa duration | Up to 4 years |
| PR pathway | Subclass 186 after 2 years full-time work |
| Where to apply | ImmiAccount |
What changed from the old TSS visa?
The subclass number (482) stayed the same. Almost everything else changed when the Skills in Demand visa launched in December 2024:
Old system: two streams (short-term and medium-term) tied to two separate occupation lists with different visa durations and PR pathway eligibility.
New system: three streams based on salary level, a single consolidated Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) with 456 occupations, and a clearer two-year pathway to permanent residency for all streams.
Other changes that directly affect workers and employers in 2026:
- Work experience requirement reduced from 2 years to 1 year within the past 5 years
- 180-day grace period to find a new sponsor if employment ends (up from 60–90 days under TSS)
- ATO and Department of Home Affairs now conduct quarterly payroll data matching — sponsored workers whose salary or occupation does not match their nomination are automatically flagged
- Over 70 new occupations added to the CSOL including Data Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, Tour Guide and Child Care Worker
- Some occupations removed including Café and Restaurant Manager, ICT Support Engineer and Graphic Designer
The three streams explained
Stream 1: Core Skills
The Core Skills stream covers the majority of SC 482 visa grants — approximately 70% of all SID visas issued. It is for skilled workers whose occupation is listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and whose salary meets the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT).
| Salary threshold | Period |
|---|---|
| $76,515 minimum | Until 30 June 2026 |
| $79,499 minimum | From 1 July 2026 (indexed to AWOTE) |
The salary must meet both the government threshold and the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR) — the real going rate for the role in Australia. If your offered salary meets the $76,515 floor but is below market rate for your occupation and location, the nomination will be refused. Salary thresholds are indexed annually to Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) data published by the ABS.
Trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers are eligible under the Core Skills stream via the CSOL.
Processing time for the Core Skills stream is 6–14 months total from initial employer sponsorship application through to visa grant. If your employer is already an approved sponsor, the timeline shortens significantly.
Stream 2: Specialist Skills
The Specialist Skills stream is for high-earning professionals. It has no occupation list requirement — instead, eligibility is determined by salary alone. Capped at 3,000 places per year.
| Salary threshold | Period |
|---|---|
| $141,210 minimum | Until 30 June 2026 |
| $146,717 minimum | From 1 July 2026 |
The occupation must fall within ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 — covering managers, professionals, clerical, sales and service workers. Trade workers, machinery operators and labourers are excluded.
Processing time under the Specialist Skills stream is 7 days (median). This is the government’s target service standard for this stream, reflecting the high-value nature of the applicants.
To access priority 7-day processing, you need at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience in the past 5 years and an English result of IELTS 5.0 overall (or equivalent).
Stream 3: Essential Skills
The Essential Skills stream (currently operating as the Labour Agreement stream, due to be formally rebranded in 2026) covers workers in critical sectors — primarily aged care, disability support and regional industries — where salaries may fall below the Core Skills threshold but demand for workers is severe. This stream is accessed through sector-specific Labour Agreements and DAMA arrangements rather than a standard employer application.
Eligibility requirements
For the worker (visa applicant)
- A genuine job offer from an approved Standard Business Sponsor
- Occupation listed on the CSOL (Core Skills stream) or earning above the SSIT (Specialist Skills stream)
- At least 1 year of relevant full-time work experience in the past 5 years in the nominated occupation
- English language: IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 5 in each band, or equivalent test score (PTE, TOEFL, OET, Cambridge)
- Health requirements: medical examination with a DHA-approved panel physician
- Character requirements: police clearances from each country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Some occupations require a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority — check the CSOL for your specific occupation
For the employer (sponsor)
- Must apply to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor before nominating you
- Must demonstrate the business is lawfully operating in Australia
- Must demonstrate genuine attempts to recruit locally before sponsoring overseas talent — the Labour Market Test (LMT) is currently valid for 4 months
- Must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy upfront: $1,200 per year for small businesses or $1,800 per year for large businesses, per year of the nomination period
- Must pay the sponsored worker no less than the income threshold and no less than the equivalent Australian worker in the same role
Costs
The SC 482 application involves three separate fee payments — sponsorship, nomination, and the visa application itself.
| Fee | Amount (2025–26) |
|---|---|
| Standard Business Sponsor application | $420 |
| Nomination application | $540 |
| Visa application — primary applicant (Core Skills) | $3,210 |
| Visa application — secondary applicant (partner/spouse) | $1,605 |
| Visa application — child applicant | $805 |
| SAF levy (small business) | $1,200 per year of nomination |
| SAF levy (large business) | $1,800 per year of nomination |
Skills assessment fees (where required) vary by occupation and assessing authority — typically $300–$2,800 depending on the body. Medical examination costs ($300–$500 per person) and police clearance fees apply on top.
All fees are payable to the Department of Home Affairs at the time of lodgement. The SAF levy is the employer’s responsibility, not the worker’s — it is unlawful for an employer to pass the SAF levy cost to the sponsored worker.
Processing times
| Step | Who lodges | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application | Employer | 4–8 weeks |
| Nomination application | Employer | 4–8 weeks |
| Visa application — Core Skills | Worker | 3–6 months |
| Visa application — Specialist Skills | Worker | 7 days (median) |
| Total — Core Skills | 6–14 months | |
| Total — Specialist Skills | 4–10 weeks + 7 days |
The single most effective way to reduce the Core Skills timeline is ensuring the employer is already an approved sponsor before the nomination is lodged. If sponsorship, nomination and visa applications are all lodged sequentially from scratch, 14 months is realistic. If the employer is pre-approved, the timeline compresses significantly.
What rights do you have on an SC 482?
Once the visa is granted:
- Work in Australia in your nominated occupation for your approved sponsor
- Change employer: your new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination. You have 180 consecutive days (maximum 365 days cumulatively over the visa) to secure a new sponsor — during which you have full work rights with any employer
- Bring your partner and dependent children as secondary applicants — they receive full work and study rights in Australia
- Travel in and out of Australia as needed
- Access Medicare if your home country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia (this varies by country)
The pathway to permanent residency
The SC 482 is specifically designed as a PR stepping stone for most holders. The main pathway is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.
To be eligible for the 186 TRT:
- Held a Subclass 482, 457, or SID visa for at least 2 years
- Worked full-time for your sponsoring employer for at least 2 years in the same occupation
- Under 45 years of age at the time of lodging the 186 application (some exemptions apply)
- Occupation listed on the relevant occupation list (Core Skills stream applicants must check current list at time of application)
- Employer willing to nominate you for permanent residency
The 2-year work requirement is cumulative — it can be with multiple sponsors, provided total full-time employment is continuous excluding unpaid leave. However, there is a known risk during employer changes: time spent working under the 180-day grace period before your new employer’s nomination is finalised does not count toward the 2-year PR requirement. This is known as dead time and is now a key consideration when changing employers.
The 186 nomination period typically attracts processing times of 6–18 months. See the Australia migration program 2026 overview for current permanent visa allocation numbers.
The July 2026 salary threshold increase: what it means for you
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold rises from $76,515 to $79,499. The Specialist Skills Income Threshold rises from $141,210 to $146,717. These increases apply to nomination applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026.
This has two practical effects. First, any new nomination lodged after 1 July must offer the higher salary — nominations at the old threshold lodged before 1 July are unaffected. Second, employment contracts for sponsored workers should account for annual AWOTE indexation at renewal, or roles risk falling below the threshold at nomination time.
The ATO and DHA now conduct quarterly payroll data matching. If your actual salary does not match your nominated salary, the system flags it automatically. This makes salary compliance a live obligation, not a one-time check at lodgement. For broader context on Australian wage levels, see wages in Australia 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the SC 482 without a job offer?
No. The SC 482 is an employer-sponsored visa. Your employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor and lodge a nomination for your specific role before you can lodge a visa application. You cannot apply independently.
Can I change jobs on an SC 482?
Yes. Your new employer must become an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination for your occupation. You have 180 consecutive days (maximum 365 days total across the visa period) to find a new sponsor while retaining full work rights. Time spent working during this grace period does not count toward your 2-year PR requirement if your new employer’s nomination has not yet been approved.
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit for the SC 482 visa itself. However, when transitioning to the Subclass 186 for permanent residency via the TRT stream, you must generally be under 45 at the time of lodging the PR application. Some exemptions apply.
Does my partner get work rights?
Yes. Partners and dependent children included as secondary applicants receive full work and study rights in Australia with no restriction on employer or hours.
What happens if my employer goes out of business?
If your sponsor ceases to operate, your visa continues to be valid. You have 180 days to find a new approved sponsor. If you cannot find a new sponsor within that window, you will need to apply for a different visa or depart Australia.
Is a skills assessment always required?
Not always. Whether a skills assessment is required depends on your specific occupation and the assessing authority listed on the CSOL. Check your occupation against the Core Skills Occupation List for the current requirement.
This article is general information only. It does not constitute migration advice. Visa eligibility, salary thresholds and occupation lists are subject to change. Consult a Registered Migration Agent registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) for advice specific to your circumstances.
