Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa

anniewang62
Jan 7
2 min read

Are you planning your career move to Australia? Since December 2024, the landscape of Australian employer sponsorship has changed significantly. The former TSS 482 visa has evolved into the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa, offering faster processing and, more importantly, a much clearer pathway to Permanent Residency (PR).

In this blog, we break down everything you need to know about the three new pathways and why this is the best time to apply.

What are the Three New Pathways?

The Australian government has introduced a three-tiered system to better match the country’s economic needs. Depending on your occupation and salary, you will fall into one of these streams:

1. The Specialist Skills Pathway Reserved for high-end professionals (excluding trades and laborers). If your guaranteed annual earnings are at least $141,210, you could benefit from priority processing, with a median turnaround of just 7 days.

2. The Core Skills Pathway This is the most popular route for most skilled workers and tradespeople. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and you must earn at least $76,515 per year.

3. The Labour Agreement (Essential Skills) Pathway Designed for essential workers in specific sectors (such as Aged Care) where salaries may be under the standard threshold. This pathway requires a specific agreement between the employer and the government.

Why is the Skills in Demand Visa Better?

The transition from the old TSS visa to the SID visa brought several "wins" for migrant workers:

Faster PR Pathway: You can now transition to Permanent Residency (Subclass 186) after only 2 years of working with your sponsor (down from 3 years).
Reduced Experience Requirements: You only need 12 months of full-time work experience in the last 5 years—making this visa accessible to earlier-career professionals.
Increased Job Mobility: If you leave your employer, you now have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor, providing much-needed peace of mind and security.

Are You Eligible? (The Checklist)

To ensure a successful application in 2026, you generally need to meet the following:

English Proficiency: An IELTS score of at least 5.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Skills Assessment: Required for certain occupations to prove you meet Australian standards.
Genuine Sponsorship: An approved Australian employer willing to nominate you at the correct market salary rate.

How Much Does it Cost?

The government application fees for the 2025-2026 financial year are:

Main Applicant: $3,210
Adult Dependents (18+): $3,210
Child Dependents (Under 18): $805

Partner with AOYE Group

Navigating the new "Core Skills Occupation List" and salary indexing can be complex. At AOYE Group, we provide expert guidance to ensure your application is successful and your pathway to Permanent Residency is secured.

Contact our migration experts today for a personalized assessment.