Employer Sponsorship (482 Visa) — What You Need to Know

How the 482 Visa Works

The 482 visa (formerly known as the 457 visa, now officially the "Skills in Demand" visa) allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for positions they can't fill with Australian workers. Here's the key thing to understand: the employer sponsors you, not the other way around.

The process has three stages:

1. Sponsorship Application — the employer applies to become an approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsorship)
2. Nomination Application — the employer nominates a specific position for you
3. Visa Application — you apply for the visa itself

The employer must demonstrate that the position is genuine, that they've tried to find an Australian worker first (labour market testing), and that they'll pay you at least the market rate (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold — TSMIT, currently $73,150/year or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher).

The Three Streams

The 482 visa has three streams, each with different requirements and pathways:

Core Skills Stream

This is the most common stream. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List. You need at least 2 years of relevant work experience and the appropriate qualifications or skills assessment. The visa lasts up to 4 years and has a clear pathway to PR through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.

Specialist Skills Stream

This stream is for high-salary positions. If the role pays $135,000/year or more, the occupation doesn't need to be on any skills list. This is designed for specialist or senior roles. You still need relevant experience and qualifications, but the high salary demonstrates the genuineness of the position.

Labour Agreement Stream

Some industries have special agreements with the government that allow sponsorship of occupations not on the standard lists. These are common in sectors like meat processing, dairy, fishing, and aged care. The terms vary by agreement.

Who Pays What

This is one of the most common questions — and one of the most important. Here's the breakdown:

Use our Visa Cost Calculator to estimate the total cost for your specific situation.

Processing Times

Processing times for the 482 visa vary depending on the stream and your circumstances:

• Sponsorship application: 1-3 months (one-off, if employer isn't already approved)
• Nomination: 1-4 months
• Visa application: 1-6 months (varies significantly by occupation and country)

In total, the process typically takes 3-8 months from start to finish. Some occupations and nationalities are processed faster than others. The nomination and visa application can be lodged concurrently in some cases, which speeds things up.

Your Work Rights on a 482 Visa

Once your 482 visa is granted:

• You can only work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation
• You must work full-time (at least 35 hours per week for most occupations)
• You must be paid at least the TSMIT ($73,150/year) or the market rate, whichever is higher
• Your employer must provide you with equivalent terms and conditions to Australian workers in the same role
• You can study part-time while working
• You can travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa is valid

Changing Employers on a 482 Visa

You can change employers, but it requires a completely new sponsorship and nomination process. Your new employer must:

1. Be an approved sponsor (or apply to become one)
2. Lodge a new nomination for your position
3. You apply for a new 482 visa with the new employer

You can continue working for your current employer while the new application is being processed. Once the new visa is granted, you can start with the new employer. The key risk is the gap period — if you stop working for your current employer before the new visa is granted, you may be in breach of visa conditions.

Partner & Dependent Rights

Your partner and dependent children can be included on your 482 visa application:

• Partner/spouse: Full, unrestricted work rights — they can work for any employer in any occupation
• Dependent children: Can attend school (public school may require fees in some states)
• Medicare: 482 visa holders from some countries have Medicare access through Reciprocal Health Care Agreements. Others need private health insurance (OVHC is mandatory)

Pathway to Permanent Residency

The 482 visa can lead to permanent residency through two main pathways:

Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

After working for your sponsor for 2 years on the Core Skills or Specialist Skills stream, your employer can nominate you for the Subclass 186 visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream). Requirements:

• 2 years of full-time work with the nominating employer
• Employer nominates you for a permanent position
• You're under 45 at the time of application (some exemptions)
• You have competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
• Visa application fee: $4,770 (main applicant)

Subclass 494 to 191 — Regional Pathway

If your employer is in a regional area, they may sponsor you for the Subclass 494 visa instead of or in addition to the 482. After 3 years on a 494, you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa.

What Happens If You Lose Your Job

This is one of the biggest concerns for 482 visa holders. If you lose your job (whether you resign, are made redundant, or are terminated):

• You have 60 consecutive days to find a new employer willing to sponsor you
• During these 60 days, your visa remains valid and you can stay in Australia
• If you find a new sponsor, they lodge a new nomination and you apply for a new 482 visa
• If you can't find a new sponsor within 60 days, you must leave Australia or apply for a different visa (e.g., visitor visa, student visa)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for the 482 visa — the employer or the employee?

The employer pays the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy ($3,000-$7,200), the nomination fee ($330), and the sponsorship application fee ($420). The employee pays the visa application fee ($1,825 for the main applicant plus fees for family members) and health insurance. It is illegal for an employer to pass their costs on to you.

Can I change employers on a 482 visa?

Yes, but your new employer must become an approved sponsor, lodge a new nomination, and you must apply for a new 482 visa. You can continue working for your current employer during this process. The visa is tied to the sponsoring employer, not transferable.

What happens if I lose my job on a 482 visa?

You have 60 consecutive days to find a new employer willing to sponsor you. During this time your visa remains valid. If you can't find a new sponsor within 60 days, you must leave Australia or apply for a different visa type.

Can my partner work on a 482 visa?

Yes. Your partner (spouse or de facto) included on your 482 visa has full, unrestricted work rights in Australia. They can work for any employer in any occupation — their work rights are not tied to your sponsor.

How long does 482 visa processing take?

Processing times are typically 1-4 months for the nomination and 1-6 months for the visa application. The total process usually takes 3-8 months from start to finish. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current times.

Do I need a skills assessment for a 482 visa?

It depends on your occupation. Some occupations require a formal skills assessment, while others only require you to demonstrate 2 years of relevant work experience. Check the skills recognition requirements for your specific occupation.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa rules, fees, and occupation lists change frequently. Always consult a registered migration agent (MARA registered) or check the Department of Home Affairs website for current information.