Subclass 482 Work Visa: Complete 2026 Guide for Skilled Workers
If your skilled migration points aren't high enough for the 189 (and you don't want to commit to a state for the 190), the 482 employer-sponsored visa is the most common alternative. Here's how the renamed “Skills in Demand” visa works in 2026, the 3 streams, and how to convert it to permanent residency.
In this article
What Is the 482 Visa?
The Subclass 482 visa — renamed “Skills in Demand” in December 2024 — is Australia's main employer-sponsored temporary work visa. It replaced the old 457 visa in 2018 and was overhauled in 2024 with a new 3-stream structure designed to make the visa faster and more flexible.
Key facts:
- Requires a job offer from an Australian employer that is an approved sponsor
- Lets you work in Australia for up to 4 years (renewable)
- Spouse gets full work rights; children can attend school
- Pathway to permanent residency via the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme after 2 years with your sponsor
- Currently issued at ~50,000 per year — Australia's most-issued employer visa
If you don't have a job offer yet, you can't apply for the 482 — try the 189 or 190 points-tested visa instead.
The Three Streams
The 2024 reforms created three streams, each targeting different worker types:
| Stream | Salary threshold | Visa length | Best for | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Skills | $135,000+ | Up to 4 years | Senior tech, consulting, executives | ~7 days median |
| Core Skills | $73,150-$135,000 | Up to 4 years | Most professionals: nurses, teachers, mid-level engineers, accountants | ~5 weeks |
| Labour Agreement | Varies (agreement-specific) | Up to 4 years | Industries with formal labour agreements (regional aged care, dairy, etc.) | 8-12 weeks |
Salary thresholds are the “Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold” (TSMIT) — what your employer must pay you, indexed annually.
Eligibility Requirements
To be granted a 482 visa, you must:
- Be nominated by an approved Standard Business Sponsor for an occupation on the relevant list
- Have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation in the last 5 years
- Hold relevant qualifications (degree, diploma, trade certificate) recognised in Australia
- Pass a skills assessment if your occupation requires it (varies by occupation)
- Meet the English language requirement: IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent PTE/OET/Cambridge), with at least 5.0 in each band — exemptions if you're from UK, USA, NZ, Canada, Ireland
- Pass health checks (chest X-ray, GP exam — usually $400-600)
- Pass character checks (police certificates from every country lived in 12+ months in the last 10 years)
- Meet the “genuine entrant” test (you genuinely intend to work in the role, not just immigrate)
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
Sponsor Requirements
Not every Australian business can sponsor a 482. The employer must:
- Be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) by the Department of Home Affairs (validity: 5 years)
- Demonstrate genuine need for the role (Labour Market Testing — usually 28 days of advertising in Australia first)
- Pay you at least the market salary rate for your occupation
- Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: $1,200/year (small business) or $1,800/year (large) per year of visa
- Pass training benchmarks (no longer required for SAF-paying sponsors as of 2018, but still relevant for some sub-categories)
If your employer isn't already an SBS, they'll need to apply to become one — adds 1-3 months to the timeline. Always confirm sponsorship status before accepting a job offer dependent on the visa.
How to Apply: Step by Step
The 482 has 3 sequential parts: sponsorship, nomination, visa. Your employer handles the first two; you handle the third.
Step 1: Employer becomes a Standard Business Sponsor (if not already)
If the company has never sponsored before, they must apply. They submit financials, business activities evidence, and a $420 fee. Approval takes 1-3 months. Skip this step if they already have current SBS status.
Step 2: Employer lodges a nomination
Specific to your role and you. Employer must show genuine need (Labour Market Testing — usually 28 days of advertising the role in Australia first), provide the job description matching the occupation list, and pay the SAF levy and $540 nomination fee. Approval typically 1-4 weeks.
Step 3: You lodge the visa application
Through your ImmiAccount, choose Subclass 482 and the appropriate stream. You'll provide: passport, English test results, skills assessment (if required), academic transcripts, work history with employment letters, police certificates from every country, health check results.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Application Charge
$1,605 (Core Skills) or $3,210 (Specialist Skills) for the main applicant in 2026. Add $1,605/$3,210 for partner, $805 for each child. Pay by credit card via ImmiAccount. Some employers cover this fee — negotiate as part of your offer.
Step 5: Health and police checks
The Department asks for these AFTER you lodge. Health check at a Bupa Medical Visa Services centre (~$400 single, $800 family). Police certificate from every country you've lived in 12+ months in the last 10 years. Some take weeks (especially home country) — start early.
Step 6: Wait for grant
Specialist Skills: ~7 days median. Core Skills: 5 weeks median. You receive the grant by email — print and store the grant notice. You can travel to Australia immediately.
Costs and Processing Times
Total cost for a 482 visa varies by stream and family size. Realistic 2026 budget for a Core Skills applicant + partner + 1 child:
| Item | Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship application (if needed) | $420 | Employer |
| Nomination fee | $540 | Employer (sometimes negotiated) |
| SAF levy (4-year visa, small business) | $4,800 | Employer |
| Visa charge — main applicant (Core Skills) | $1,605 | You (sometimes covered by employer) |
| Visa charge — partner | $1,605 | You |
| Visa charge — child under 18 | $805 | You |
| Skills assessment (if required) | $300-$2,000 | You |
| English test (IELTS/PTE/OET) | $340-415 | You |
| Health checks (family) | $800-1,400 | You |
| Police certificates (per country) | $50-200 each | You |
| Migration agent (optional) | $3,000-7,000 | You (or employer) |
| Typical total your-cost (3 person family) | $5,000-9,000 | You |
Always negotiate fee coverage as part of your offer — many employers cover the visa charge as a relocation benefit.
Work Conditions and Restrictions
Once granted, the 482 carries these conditions:
- You can only work for your sponsor in the nominated occupation. Side jobs or freelancing for other employers are NOT allowed.
- If you cease employment with your sponsor, you have 180 days to find a new sponsor in the same/related occupation, or you must leave Australia.
- Your spouse has full work rights from grant — can work full-time in any occupation for any employer.
- Children can attend school (see school enrolment for new migrant families for state-by-state fees).
- You and family must maintain adequate health insurance (Visa Condition 8501) — see OVHC vs OSHC.
- You can travel in/out of Australia freely while the visa is valid.
- Maximum 90 days outside Australia in any 12-month period if you want to qualify for PR transition (and 180 days for renewal of the 482 itself).
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Most 482 holders end up applying for permanent residency via the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. Two routes:
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)
After working for your 482 sponsor for 2 years, your employer can nominate you for the 186. No skills assessment required. No new English test if your previous one is still valid. Processing 6-12 months. Visa charge: $4,640 main applicant in 2026.
Direct Entry
If you have 3+ years post-qualification skilled work experience, you can apply directly for the 186 (Direct Entry stream) without doing the 2-year wait. Useful if you change employers and your new employer wants to nominate you immediately. Skills assessment usually required.
Once you have PR, you can also work towards citizenship — see our becoming an Australian citizen guide for the 4-year citizenship pathway.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
If your points are high enough, you might also consider the 189 or 190 skilled migration visas as an alternative — they don't require an employer sponsor and grant PR directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 482 visa?
Australia's main employer-sponsored temporary work visa, renamed “Skills in Demand” in 2024. Up to 4 years, sponsored by an Australian employer in an eligible occupation. Most holders later transition to PR via the 186 visa.
Do I need a job offer for the 482 visa?
Yes — you can't apply without a job offer from an Australian employer who is an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS).
What's the difference between the 482 and 186 visa?
482 is temporary (up to 4 years, renewable). 186 is permanent. Most migrants come on a 482, work for the same sponsor 2-3 years, then their employer nominates them for the 186 PR via Temporary Residence Transition.
How long is a 482 visa valid?
Up to 4 years for Specialist and Core Skills streams. Most are granted for 2-4 years, then renewable or transition to 186 PR after 2+ years with sponsor.
How much does a 482 visa cost?
$1,605 main applicant Core Skills, $3,210 Specialist Skills. $1,605/$3,210 partner over 18, $805 per child. Plus health checks, police certificates, English test, skills assessment if required. Family of 3 typically: $5,000-9,000 your-cost.
Can I bring my family on a 482 visa?
Yes. Spouse and dependent children can be included. Spouse gets full work rights from grant. Children can attend school (state-dependent fees). All family must meet health and character requirements.
What occupations are eligible for the 482?
DHA publishes the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Specialist Skills Occupation List. Common: software developers, registered nurses, teachers, engineers, chefs, accountants. Lists are updated periodically — check the current version.
Can I change jobs on a 482 visa?
Yes, to another approved sponsor in the same/related occupation. 180 days to find a new sponsor if you cease employment. New sponsor lodges a fresh nomination but you don't need a new visa application.
Official Resources
- Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 482 (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- DHA — Skilled occupation lists (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- DHA — 186 Employer Nomination Scheme PR pathway (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Visa holders & migrants workplace rights (fairwork.gov.au)
- Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority — find a registered agent (mara.gov.au)
- VEVO — Verify visa status (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
Once you arrive on a 482, your other priorities are getting set up — see our guides on applying for a TFN, superannuation, Medicare/OVHC, and your first 30 days in Australia.
Bottom line:
The 482 is the most flexible employer-sponsored work visa in Australia. Negotiate fee coverage as part of your offer (visa charge alone is $1,605-3,210). After 2 years with the same sponsor, ask about 186 nomination — that's your direct path to permanent residency without going back into the points-test queue.