What the visa is
The Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482, is a temporary visa that lets an Australian employer sponsor a suitably skilled worker. It is run by the Department of Home Affairs. You cannot simply apply for it on your own. You need an employer that is willing to sponsor you for a specific job, and the job has to fit the rules for the stream you are using.
This guide explains the main rules that matter to a worker. The details of a stream, such as the exact steps an employer must follow before nominating you, are on the official pages, so use this guide to understand the shape of the process and then check the live rules before you commit.
The income thresholds
Pay is one of the clearest rules in the visa. The Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 set the figures that apply from 1 July 2026:
- The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423, up from AUD 76,515 on 1 July 2025.
- The Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576, up from AUD 141,210 on 1 July 2025.
- The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold is AUD 79,423, up from AUD 76,515.
The same regulations tie the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to the annual indexation that already applies to the Core Skills Income Threshold. The first indexation day under the new arrangement is 1 July 2027, so expect the figures to move again.
Always compare the salary in your job offer with the threshold for your stream on the date your employer lodges the nomination. A figure that was correct last year may be out of date now.
Which occupations are eligible
Occupations are listed in official lists. Home Affairs names the Core Skills Occupation List, the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, the Short-term Skilled Occupation List and the Regional Occupation List.
The Core Skills Occupation List is tied to the ANZSCO 2022 classification and applies to the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) and Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visas. The other three lists use ANZSCO 2013 and apply to the other skilled visa subclasses. Removing an occupation from the lists does not adversely affect applications that are already pending.
Before you accept a job offer, check that your occupation is on the list for the visa you plan to use. The lists change, and Home Affairs points readers to the legislative instrument for the current version.
Experience and skills
Home Affairs says applicants must have 12 months of work experience in the occupation or in a related field. Keep the evidence together before you start: reference letters, payslips, contracts and tax records that show what you did, for whom, and for how long.
Some other visas, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme, also ask for a skills assessment unless you are exempt. Check early whether your occupation needs one, because assessments can take time.
How long you can stay
The visa is granted for between one and four years. A longer period is not automatic, so ask your employer what term they are nominating you for.
It is a temporary visa, so it is worth planning your next step from the start. Many people use it as a first stage before a permanent employer-sponsored visa.
Who you can work for
Your work must be for the sponsor or an associated entity, unless an exemption applies. You must work only in the occupation that was nominated. If your employer wants to change your role significantly, or you want to change employers, ask for advice on what is permitted before anything changes.
The route to permanent residence
The Employer Nomination Scheme, subclass 186, is a permanent visa. Home Affairs lists a temporary residence transition stream for holders of the Skills in Demand visa. In that visa, the employment is for at least two years after the grant, and a skills assessment is required unless you are exempt.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, subclass 494, is a different option. It is a five-year provisional visa, the work must be in a designated regional area, and the employment is for at least five years after the grant.
The Home Affairs comparison page for sponsored skilled visas was last updated in January 2025, so confirm the current requirements for either visa.
What it costs
The cost of a visa depends on the date Home Affairs receives your application. From 1 July 2026 the first instalment of the visa application charge rose by 25% for most visas, and other visas were indexed. Amounts are rounded to the nearest AUD 5.
For the exact charge for your situation, use the Visa pricing estimator on the Home Affairs site. Do not rely on a figure from a blog post, because charges change often.
Practical advice
Ask your employer to confirm in writing which stream they are using, the occupation they are nominating, and the salary they will state. Compare the salary with the threshold in force on the lodgement date.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Do not resign from your current job until the visa is granted, and do not start work in Australia before you hold a visa that allows it.
Common questions
Can I apply without a sponsor?
No. The visa needs an employer to sponsor you for a specific occupation. If you want to apply without an employer, look at the skilled migration options through SkillSelect.
What is the minimum salary?
From 1 July 2026 the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576. The figures are indexed each year.
Can I change employer?
Your work must be for the sponsor or an associated entity, in the nominated occupation, unless an exemption applies. Check the rules before any change.
How long does the visa last?
Between one and four years, according to the Home Affairs comparison of sponsored skilled visas.
Can it lead to permanent residence?
Yes. Home Affairs lists a temporary residence transition stream in the Employer Nomination Scheme, subclass 186. Check the current requirements.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often. We last checked it on 31 October 2026, so please confirm the details on the official page before you apply.