Quick answer: Australia’s Skills in Demand (SID) visa, subclass 482, is the main employer-sponsored work visa. From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills stream requires a salary of at least A$79,423, and the Specialist Skills stream requires at least A$146,576. The main applicant fee rose to A$4,015. You need at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the past 5 years, and after 2 years with your sponsor you can usually apply for permanent residence through the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Australia combines high wages, strong labour protections and a well-defined path from work visa to permanent residence. The Skills in Demand visa replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage visa and made the system simpler: instead of complicated occupation lists, the stream you use mostly depends on what you will be paid. For professionals in healthcare, engineering, IT, construction and finance, it is one of the most attractive sponsored visas in the world.
Skills in Demand Visa at a Glance
| Visa | Skills in Demand, subclass 482 (temporary, employer-sponsored) |
| Streams | Core Skills and Specialist Skills |
| Core Skills Income Threshold (from 1 July 2026) | A$79,423 (up from A$76,515) |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (from 1 July 2026) | A$146,576 (up from A$141,210) |
| Work experience | At least 12 months in the past 5 years |
| Fee: main applicant | A$4,015 (up from A$3,210) |
| Fee: adult dependant / child | A$4,015 / A$1,005 |
| PR pathway | Subclass 186 (TRT) after 2 years with sponsor |
The Two Streams Explained
Core Skills stream
This is the main stream for most skilled workers. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and your guaranteed annual earnings must be at least the Core Skills Income Threshold of A$79,423, or the market salary rate for the role if that is higher. The CSOL covers a wide range of professional, technical and trade jobs, including many nursing, engineering, IT, accounting and construction roles.
Specialist Skills stream
This stream is for highly paid specialists earning at least A$146,576. It is not tied to an occupation list, but trades workers and certain occupation groups are excluded. Specialist applications are prioritised and are usually decided faster than Core Skills applications.
Salary Rules That Trip People Up
- The threshold is a floor, not the target. You must be paid the higher of the income threshold or the annual market salary rate, meaning what an Australian worker in the same role and location earns.
- Cash matters. The cash part of your guaranteed annual earnings must meet the threshold. Non-cash benefits do not fill a shortfall.
- Your sponsor must keep paying it. Employers are legally required to pay what was approved in the nomination and not less than equivalent Australian workers.
Who Is Most in Demand?
Australia’s shortages are concentrated in healthcare (registered nurses, aged care, allied health), engineering, construction trades, IT and cybersecurity, teaching, and some finance and accounting roles. Regional employers often find it hardest to recruit and may be more willing to sponsor.
Costs to Budget For
- Visa fees: A$4,015 for you and each adult dependant, A$1,005 for each child.
- Skills assessment for some occupations, and professional registration for regulated roles such as nursing and medicine.
- English test results, health checks and police certificates.
- Health insurance: visa holders must maintain adequate health cover.
Employers pay the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. A sponsor should not ask you to pay these.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Check your occupation against the Core Skills Occupation List or confirm your salary will meet the Specialist threshold.
- Get any required skills assessment and professional registration.
- Find an employer who is an approved Standard Business Sponsor and is willing to nominate you.
- Your employer lodges the nomination, including salary and job details.
- You lodge the 482 visa application with your documents, English results, health and character checks.
- After 2 years with your sponsor, consider the subclass 186 permanent visa.
The Fine Print
- You are tied to sponsorship. If you leave your job, you need a new sponsor who nominates you again. Time with different sponsors can usually be combined toward permanent residence.
- Age limit for PR: the 186 Temporary Residence Transition route generally requires you to be under 45, with some exemptions.
- Never pay for sponsorship. Charging or accepting payment for a nomination is illegal in Australia.
- Thresholds rise each July. Check the current figures before you accept an offer.
Is the Skills in Demand Visa Worth It?
For professionals whose salary clears the threshold, yes. Australia offers strong wages, clear employer obligations and a two-year path to permanent residence. The higher 2026 fees make it more expensive for families, and the Core Skills salary floor means junior roles in lower-paid occupations may not qualify. The best candidates have registration sorted, at least a year of solid experience, and a target list of approved sponsors in their field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for the Skills in Demand visa in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, it is A$79,423 for Core Skills and A$146,576 for Specialist Skills, or the market rate if higher.
How much work experience do I need?
At least 12 months of relevant work experience in the past 5 years.
How much does the 482 visa cost?
A$4,015 for the main applicant and each adult dependant, and A$1,005 per child, from 1 July 2026.
Can the 482 visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After 2 years with your sponsor, you can usually apply for the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream, generally if you are under 45.
Can I change employers on a 482 visa?
Yes, but your new employer must be an approved sponsor and must lodge a new nomination for you.
Official source: Australian Department of Home Affairs, Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Thresholds and fees are indexed every July, so confirm the latest figures before applying. This site is not affiliated with the Australian government and never charges any fee for job information.