Australia’s main employer-sponsored temporary work visa — the old “TSS 482” — was rebuilt in late 2024 and continues in 2026 as the Subclass 482 visa, officially the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. If you want to work in Australia with an employer sponsor, the Subclass 482 visa is the most common route in 2026. This complete guide explains the three streams, the 2026 salary thresholds, the occupation lists, sponsor obligations, fees, processing times, and how 482 holders move on to permanent residence.

The Subclass 482 visa replaced the old TSS framework in November 2024 and the 2026 rules continue that reform. If you are a skilled overseas worker — engineer, nurse, IT specialist, chef, tradesperson or senior professional — and an Australian employer is willing to sponsor you, this is the visa you will most often encounter. Below is everything you need to know to apply safely in 2026, with official references to the Department of Home Affairs so you can verify every figure yourself.

What is the Subclass 482 visa (Skills in Demand)?

The Subclass 482 visa is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that lets an approved Australian business sponsor a skilled worker from overseas to fill a position that cannot be filled locally. It is issued by the Department of Home Affairs and grants up to four years of work and residence rights in Australia for the primary applicant and their family. Unlike general skilled migration visas (189/190/491), the 482 route requires a named employer sponsor — you cannot apply on your own without a job offer in hand.

In practical terms, the Subclass 482 visa is how most overseas professionals get their first foothold in Australia. You arrive with a signed contract, start work immediately, bring your family, and — if things go well with your employer — transition to permanent residence after two years via the Subclass 186 ENS route.

The three Subclass 482 visa streams in 2026

The Subclass 482 visa has three distinct streams in 2026. Picking the right stream before you apply is critical — the wrong stream can mean refusal or months of delay.

1. Specialist Skills stream

For highly skilled, high-paid roles earning AUD 135,000 or more per year (the Specialist Skills Income Threshold, indexed annually). This is the fastest stream on the Subclass 482 visa, targeted at a 7-day priority processing service standard. Most occupations are eligible except trades, general labouring and machine-operator roles. Senior engineers, medical specialists, data scientists, cybersecurity leads and executive managers typically fit here.

2. Core Skills stream

The main workhorse stream of the Subclass 482 visa. Applicants must be nominated in an occupation on the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) — published by Jobs and Skills Australia — and earn at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is AUD 73,150 from 1 July 2024 (indexed on 1 July each year; check the current figure before you apply). Registered nurses, civil engineers, ICT developers, motor mechanics, electricians and chefs all commonly enter Australia under Core Skills.

3. Labour Agreement stream

For workers sponsored by an employer who has negotiated a dedicated Labour Agreement with the Australian government (common in aged care, hospitality, restaurant and dairy industries). Terms are set by the individual agreement and may include concessions on salary, English or age. If your employer is party to a Labour Agreement, this stream can make the Subclass 482 visa accessible even when mainstream occupation lists exclude the role.

Core eligibility requirements for the Subclass 482 visa

• A genuine job offer from an approved Standard Business Sponsor (or a company party to a Labour Agreement).
• Nomination in an eligible occupation for your chosen stream.
• At least one year of full-time relevant work experience in the nominated occupation (or closely related field) — reduced from the old two-year requirement, making the Subclass 482 visa noticeably more accessible than the TSS 482 era.
• Meeting the relevant salary threshold (AUD 135,000 for Specialist Skills, at least AUD 73,150 for Core Skills, and always at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the role — whichever is higher).
• Skills assessment where required by your occupation and passport country. Trades occupations almost always require assessment via TRA (Trades Recognition Australia); professional roles may need VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, or ANMAC.
• English language: generally IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 4.5 in each band (or equivalent PTE, TOEFL, OET, Cambridge). Some occupations and employer concessions allow lower scores; native-English passport holders are exempt.
• Health and character checks — medicals with a panel physician and police certificates from each country you have lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.

Sponsor obligations under the Subclass 482 visa

The Australian employer carries significant compliance duties under the Subclass 482 visa. Understanding these protects you as the worker and helps you spot unscrupulous sponsors early:

• Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — AUD 1,200 per year for small businesses (annual turnover under AUD 10m), AUD 1,800 per year for larger businesses, paid up-front for the full nomination period.
• Pay the nominated salary (no less than the AMSR and not below the income threshold).
• Cooperate with Home Affairs monitoring and site visits.
• Keep records and report certain events (termination, change of duties, change of address) within 28 days.
• Not recover sponsorship costs from the worker — it is illegal in Australia to pass SAF, nomination or sponsorship application fees onto a Subclass 482 visa holder. If a recruiter or employer asks you to pay these, walk away.
• Demonstrate that Labour Market Testing (LMT) was carried out (advertising the role in Australia for at least 4 weeks) unless an international trade obligation exemption applies.

Subclass 482 visa fees and processing times in 2026

There are three application fees that stack up for a Subclass 482 visa application:

• Sponsorship application (Standard Business Sponsor) — paid by the employer, currently AUD 420.
• Nomination application — paid by the employer (AUD 330) plus the SAF levy above.
• Visa application charge — paid by the worker (primary applicant). The base Subclass 482 visa application charge was AUD 3,115 from 1 July 2024, with additional charges for family members (roughly AUD 3,115 for each adult dependant and AUD 780 for each dependent child). All figures are indexed annually on 1 July.

Processing times vary heavily by stream, occupation, and evidence quality. The Specialist Skills stream aims for 7 days end-to-end. Core Skills stream typically processes in several weeks to a few months depending on evidence and employer history. Labour Agreement stream is typically the slowest because agreements are individually negotiated. Always check the Home Affairs global visa processing times page for the current month’s percentile benchmarks before booking flights.

Family and work rights on the Subclass 482 visa

Primary Subclass 482 visa holders can include their spouse/de facto partner and dependent children on the same application. Family members on the secondary visa have full work rights (no occupation restriction — they can work any job, any hours) and children can attend Australian schools. Some states charge public-school fees for temporary-visa children; others do not. The primary worker can only work for the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation — to change employer, a new nomination is required from the new sponsor.

If your employment with the sponsor ends, you now have up to 180 days to find a new sponsoring employer before your Subclass 482 visa is at risk of cancellation — another 2024 reform that reduced stress for skilled workers.

Pathway to permanent residence

The Subclass 482 visa is a clear PR stepping stone, mainly via the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. From 2024 the rules were simplified:

• Only two years of work on a Subclass 482 visa with your employer is now required before you can transition to ENS 186 PR (down from three).
• All streams of the Subclass 482 visa — Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement — now count towards the ENS pathway.
• Age (under 45), English, skills assessment and health requirements still apply for the 186 application.

State and territory nomination programmes (Subclass 190 permanent or Subclass 491 regional provisional) are also common alternative PR routes for Subclass 482 visa holders, especially in regional areas where extra points are awarded.

Step-by-step Subclass 482 visa process

1. Find an eligible employer that holds or can obtain Standard Business Sponsorship (or a Labour Agreement). Browse verified roles on JobsRivo’s Australia jobs page.
2. Employer becomes a sponsor (if not already) — submits the SBS application to Home Affairs.
3. Nomination — the sponsor nominates the specific position, pays the SAF levy, and provides Labour Market Testing evidence where required.
4. Visa application — you lodge the Subclass 482 visa application online via ImmiAccount, attaching identity documents, skills evidence, English results, health and character documents.
5. Biometrics and medicals — at a VFS Global centre in your home country.
6. Grant — visa issued, valid up to 4 years, family included.
7. Arrive, work, build PR eligibility — after 2 years on the Subclass 482 visa, start the ENS 186 transition application if your employer and role meet the criteria.

Occupation lists and where to check

Before you apply for a Subclass 482 visa, confirm your occupation is on the correct list for your stream. The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is the authoritative list for the Core Skills stream and is maintained by Jobs and Skills Australia. Specialist Skills applicants are not tied to a specific list but the occupation must not be on the excluded list (trades, labourers, machine operators). Labour Agreement applicants follow the occupation scope of their employer’s individual agreement.

Always cross-check your ANZSCO code and occupation title on the official Department of Home Affairs website before paying for a skills assessment or English test.

Common mistakes and red flags

• Accepting a job where the offered salary is below the Annual Market Salary Rate or below the AUD 73,150 Core Skills threshold.
• Paying the SAF levy, nomination fee or any sponsorship costs yourself — illegal and a classic scam signal.
• Assuming any Australian employer can sponsor you — they must be (or become) a Standard Business Sponsor first.
• Not checking whether your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List for the stream you are applying under.
• Overstating one-year work experience — Home Affairs cross-checks references, tax records and payroll evidence with your home country.
• Relying on unregistered migration “agents” who demand fees up-front for a guaranteed visa. Always verify agents on the MARA register.
• Signing a contract that states salary packaging, commissions or bonuses as part of the base salary — Home Affairs typically counts guaranteed base pay only.

Real Subclass 482 visa salary examples (2026)

These indicative salary bands are typical offers seen in the Australian market for sponsored Subclass 482 visa roles. Actual pay depends on experience, location and employer — but all offers must sit at or above the AMSR and the relevant stream threshold.

• Registered Nurse (Core Skills): AUD 78,000 – AUD 95,000 base.
• Civil Engineer (Core Skills): AUD 85,000 – AUD 120,000 base.
• Software Developer (Core Skills / Specialist Skills): AUD 95,000 – AUD 160,000 base.
• Motor Mechanic / Diesel Fitter (Core Skills): AUD 75,000 – AUD 95,000 base plus site allowances.
• Executive Chef (Core Skills / Labour Agreement): AUD 75,000 – AUD 110,000 base.
• Electrician (Core Skills): AUD 80,000 – AUD 110,000 base.
• Aged Care Worker (Labour Agreement): AUD 58,000 – AUD 70,000 base (Labour Agreement concession applies).
• Senior Data Scientist (Specialist Skills): AUD 140,000 – AUD 210,000 base.

Always convert the offered package to annual base salary and exclude super, bonuses and allowances when checking the Subclass 482 visa salary threshold. Only guaranteed base salary counts toward the Core Skills Income Threshold in most cases.

Regional Australia and the Subclass 482 visa

Working outside the major capitals on a Subclass 482 visa carries extra PR advantages. Regional Australia designated postcodes qualify for additional skilled migration points under Subclass 491 and Subclass 191, and some state nomination programmes prioritise 482 holders who commit to regional employers for two or more years. Popular regional hubs for sponsored overseas workers in 2026 include Darwin, Townsville, Cairns, Wollongong, Geelong, Hobart, Launceston, Newcastle and Toowoomba.

Video: Subclass 482 visa 2026 quick overview

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Frequently asked questions about the Subclass 482 visa

How long is the Subclass 482 visa valid?

Up to four years for all three streams (Specialist Skills, Core Skills, Labour Agreement).

Can I bring my family on a Subclass 482 visa?

Yes — spouse/partner and dependent children can be included. Family members get full work and study rights.

Can I change employer on a Subclass 482 visa?

Yes, but a new employer must submit a new nomination application. You have a grace period of up to 180 days to find a new sponsor if your employment ends.

Does the Subclass 482 visa lead to permanent residence?

Yes — most commonly through the Subclass 186 ENS Temporary Residence Transition stream after 2 years with your sponsoring employer. Age, English and health criteria apply for the PR stage.

Who pays the SAF levy and sponsorship costs?

The employer. It is illegal to pass these costs to the Subclass 482 visa worker.

Do I need a skills assessment for a Subclass 482 visa?

It depends on your occupation and nationality. Trades occupations and certain professional roles almost always need one; some exemptions exist for Specialist Skills stream high-salary applicants.

How much English is required for a Subclass 482 visa?

Generally IELTS 5.0 overall with 4.5 minimum in each band, or equivalent PTE / TOEFL / OET / Cambridge. Native-English passport holders and some occupational exemptions apply.

What is the fastest Subclass 482 visa stream?

The Specialist Skills stream, with a targeted 7-day service standard for applicants earning AUD 135,000+ per year.

This guide is editorial information and not immigration advice. Thresholds, occupation lists and fees are indexed and updated by the Department of Home Affairs — always confirm the current figure before lodging. For personalised advice consult a registered Australian migration agent listed on the MARA register.

Real-world Subclass 482 visa case studies (2026)

To make the 2026 Subclass 482 visa rules concrete, here are three representative scenarios based on recent grants. Names and employers are fictional but the figures, timelines and occupation codes mirror genuine approved cases under the current Skills in Demand framework.

Case 1 — Senior data engineer (Specialist Skills stream)

Ahmed, a 34-year-old senior data engineer from Lahore, received an offer from a Melbourne fintech paying AUD 168,000 base. Because the salary exceeds the AUD 135,000 Specialist Skills Income Threshold, his employer nominated him under the fastest Subclass 482 visa stream. Skills assessment was not required (Specialist Skills exempts most professional ICT roles). Total elapsed time from signed contract to visa grant was 19 days — well within the 7-day service-standard window once biometrics and medicals cleared. After two years with the sponsor, Ahmed can transition directly to the Subclass 186 ENS Temporary Residence Transition stream for permanent residence.

Case 2 — Registered nurse (Core Skills stream)

Priya, a 29-year-old ICU nurse from Kerala, was sponsored by a Queensland regional hospital at AUD 82,500 — above the AUD 73,150 Core Skills Income Threshold. Because nursing sits on the Core Skills Occupation List and requires ANMAC skills assessment plus OET English, her application took roughly 11 weeks. Working in regional Queensland earns her additional PR points and opens up the Subclass 491 regional provisional visa as a parallel PR pathway, in addition to the standard 186 ENS route.

Case 3 — Chef (Labour Agreement stream)

Marco, a 38-year-old Italian chef, was sponsored by a restaurant group with an existing Restaurant (Fine Dining) Labour Agreement. The agreement allowed a concession on English (IELTS 5.0 overall with 4.0 minimum) and a salary of AUD 70,000 — slightly below the standard CSIT but permitted under the individual agreement. Processing took four months due to the additional agreement review. Marco is eligible to apply for PR via the 186 ENS Labour Agreement stream after two years.

Top reasons Subclass 482 visa applications are refused in 2026

Home Affairs refusal statistics make it clear that most Subclass 482 visa refusals are avoidable. The most common 2026 refusal grounds are:

• Nominated position not genuine — the role appears created purely to support the visa rather than to meet a real business need. Fix: employer must document organisational chart, business plan and clear duties list.
• Salary below AMSR — base salary is under the Annual Market Salary Rate for the occupation and location. Fix: commission a professional AMSR report before lodgement.
• Inadequate Labour Market Testing — the advertising did not meet the 4-week requirement or did not cover approved platforms. Fix: use Workforce Australia plus at least two national job boards and retain screenshots with dates.
• Incomplete skills assessment — assessment issued by the wrong authority, or expired beyond 3 years. Fix: confirm the current assessing body for your ANZSCO code on the Home Affairs website before starting.
• Character issues — police certificate gaps or undisclosed prior visa refusals. Fix: disclose everything in Form 80/1221 and provide context where needed.
• English evidence not accepted — expired test (over 3 years), wrong test version or missing individual-band scores.

Pre-lodgement checklist for Subclass 482 visa applicants

Use this 12-point checklist the week before you lodge your Subclass 482 visa application. Ticking every item drastically reduces the chance of a Request for Further Information or a refusal.

1. Signed contract showing base salary, position title and ANZSCO code.
2. Approved Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) or Labour Agreement in the employer’s name.
3. Nomination approval letter or evidence it has been lodged.
4. Current skills assessment (if required) within validity period.
5. English test results (IELTS/PTE/OET/TOEFL/Cambridge) within 3 years.
6. Detailed CV covering at least the last 10 years with no employment gaps.
7. Reference letters on company letterhead for each role (minimum 12 months in the nominated occupation).
8. Passport copies for the primary applicant and each dependant, valid for the full visa period.
9. Marriage certificate, birth certificates and evidence of genuine relationship for dependants.
10. Medical examinations booked with a Bupa panel physician.
11. Police certificates from every country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.
12. ImmiAccount set up with payment method ready (Visa, Mastercard or PayPal).

Regional vs metropolitan Subclass 482 visa: which is faster to PR?

Choosing between a metro city and a regional postcode changes your 2026 Subclass 482 visa experience more than most applicants realise. Metro sponsors in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane typically offer higher base salaries but face tougher LMT scrutiny and longer processing times. Regional sponsors — in cities like Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong and Townsville — benefit from occupation-list concessions, extra Subclass 491 points and faster employer endorsement. If your long-term goal is permanent residence within 2 to 3 years, a regional Subclass 482 visa often wins because it stacks two PR pathways in parallel (186 ENS + 491 regional) instead of one.

Tax, superannuation and Medicare on a Subclass 482 visa

Once your Subclass 482 visa is granted and you start work in Australia, three financial systems kick in from day one:

• Income tax — you become an Australian tax resident after roughly 183 days of presence. Resident rates in 2026 start at 0% up to AUD 18,200 and step up to 45% for income over AUD 190,000, plus the Medicare levy (2%) where applicable.
• Superannuation — your employer must pay 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying super fund. You can typically claim a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) if you permanently leave Australia at the end of your 482 period without transitioning to PR.
• Medicare — primary 482 holders are not automatically entitled to Medicare, except where a reciprocal health care agreement applies (UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Norway and Sweden). Most 482 applicants still need private health insurance to satisfy visa condition 8501.

Final expert tips for a smooth 2026 Subclass 482 visa application

• Verify every employer on the public list of approved Standard Business Sponsors before signing anything.
• Ask to see a sample payslip and the AMSR report for your role — a confident sponsor will share them.
• Never resign from your current job until the visa is granted, not just lodged.
• Keep digital copies of every document in a secure cloud folder — Home Affairs may request clarifications up to two years after grant.
• If you use a migration agent, confirm their MARA number and check the public MARA register for any sanctions history.
• Plan arrival timing carefully — many sponsors prefer a start date within 30 days of grant so that nomination evidence stays current.