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Australia's Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) lets employers sponsor skilled overseas workers across Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement streams. OnePoint supports both employers and applicants through every stage of the sponsorship process.
Australia's Skills in Demand (SID) Visa — Subclass 482 — is the country's primary temporary employer-sponsored work visa. From December 2024, it replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa with a modernised, three-stream framework designed to better align with Australia's genuine labour market needs.
The SID visa allows approved Australian employers to sponsor suitably skilled overseas workers to fill positions they cannot fill from the local workforce. For skilled workers, it provides Australian work experience, a competitive salary, and a structured pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
Note: The Subclass 482 TSS visa was officially replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa on 7 December 2024. If you previously held or applied for a TSS (482) visa, the new SID visa framework applies to renewals and new applications. OnePoint can advise on your specific situation.
The Skills in Demand Visa serves two groups:
Stream 1 — Core Skills Stream
The Core Skills stream is the primary pathway under the SID visa and covers the broadest range of skilled occupations. It is the closest equivalent to the former TSS visa Medium-term stream.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Occupations | Occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) |
| Salary Threshold | Must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) — currently AUD $76,515 per year and also the Australian Market Salary Rate for the role |
| Work Experience | At least 1 year of relevant full-time work experience within the past 5 years |
| English Language | IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 5 in each band (or equivalent test) |
| Visa Duration | Up to 4 years |
| Labour Market Testing | Employer must demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit locally before sponsoring overseas |
| PR Pathway | Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) via Temporary Residence Transition stream after typically 2 years |
The Specialist Skills stream is designed for high-earning professionals in specialised fields. Importantly, it does not require the applicant's occupation to appear on any occupation list — the salary threshold is the primary qualifying criterion.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Occupation List | No occupation list required — available for any specialist occupation |
| Salary Threshold | Annual salary must be at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) — currently AUD $135,000 or more (as of 2025). Must also meet the Australian Market Salary Rate |
| Work Experience | At least 1 year of relevant full-time work experience within the past 5 years |
| English Language | IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 5 in each band (or equivalent) |
| Visa Duration | Up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders) |
| Processing | Priority processing available — often significantly faster than Core Skills stream |
| PR Pathway | Via Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme after meeting eligibility requirements |
The Labour Agreement stream allows employers who have a formal agreement with the Australian Government to sponsor workers for occupations or under conditions not available through standard streams. Labour agreements are often used when there are specific, proven workforce shortages that standard visa programs cannot adequately address.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Access | Only through employers who have a current Labour Agreement with the Department of Home Affairs |
| Agreement Types | Company-specific agreements, Industry agreements, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs), and Project agreements |
| DAMA Agreements | DAMAs allow approved regional employers to sponsor workers for roles and under conditions not available through standard streams — including reduced English requirements in some cases |
| Salary and Conditions | Set by the terms of the specific Labour Agreement, which may be more flexible than Core or Specialist streams |
| Visa Duration | Typically up to 4 years, aligned with agreement terms |
| PR Pathway | Via Subclass 186 ENS, subject to agreement terms and occupation conditions |
The Subsequent Entrant stream allows family members of a current SID visa holder to join them in Australia. Eligible family members include a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children. They will receive the same visa duration as the primary holder and enjoy full work and study rights.
| Step | Action Required |
|---|---|
| 1. Employer Sponsorship | Employer applies to become an Approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) — or has an existing Labour Agreement |
| 2. Nomination | Employer lodges a Nomination application for the specific role and applicant, including Labour Market Testing evidence |
| 3. Visa Application | Worker submits their individual visa application, including skills evidence, English results, health examinations, and police clearances |
| 4. Skills Assessment | Some occupations on the CSOL require a formal skills assessment. Check CSOL requirements for your occupation |
| 5. Visa Grant | Department of Home Affairs assesses all three stages and grants the visa when all requirements are met |
Labour Market Testing (LMT): Employers must demonstrate genuine efforts to hire locally before sponsoring overseas. Advertising must meet Department of Home Affairs requirements or the nomination may be refused.
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy: Employers must pay the SAF levy upfront: AUD $1,200 per year for businesses with annual turnover under AUD $10 million; AUD $1,800 per year for larger businesses. This cannot be passed on to the sponsored worker.
Salary Compliance: The sponsored worker must be paid at least the relevant income threshold AND the Australian Market Salary Rate. Underpayment is a serious compliance breach.
Sponsorship Obligations: Approved sponsors have ongoing obligations including record-keeping, ensuring workers are employed in the nominated role, and paying repatriation costs if required.
OnePoint supports both workers and employers through the Skills in Demand visa process:
The Skills in Demand visa is a complex, three-stage process involving the employer, the worker, and the Department of Home Affairs simultaneously. OnePoint manages this process end to end, ensuring that all three stages are prepared and lodged accurately, compliantly, and in the correct sequence. We work with both employers and workers, giving us a unique ability to align the interests and requirements of both parties.
Whether you are an employer with a genuine skill gap or a skilled worker with an Australian opportunity, OnePoint can help you move forward with confidence.
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Find answers to the most common questions to help you better understand our services and processes.
A: The Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the TSS visa from 7 December 2024. The SID visa introduces three clearly defined streams (Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement), reduces the minimum work experience requirement to 1 year for many occupations, increases salary thresholds, and provides clearer permanent residency pathways. Existing TSS visa holders can transition to the SID framework at renewal.
A: No. The Skills in Demand visa is entirely employer-sponsored. You must have a genuine job offer from an employer who is (or is willing to become) an approved Standard Business Sponsor. You cannot apply independently.
A: Possibly. If your annual salary meets or exceeds the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (currently AUD $135,000+), you may qualify under the Specialist Skills stream, which has no occupation list requirement. Alternatively, your employer may be eligible to access a Labour Agreement or DAMA arrangement for your occupation.
A: The CSIT is the minimum annual salary for Core Skills stream applicants — currently AUD $76,515 as of 1 July 2025. It is indexed annually in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). Your salary must also meet the Australian Market Salary Rate for the specific role and location.
A: Yes. You are allowed to change employers, but your new employer must become an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination. You have up to 365 cumulative days across your visa period to find a new sponsor while maintaining work rights with any employer. This protection is designed to prevent worker exploitation.
A: Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in your SID visa application or added later through the Subsequent Entrant stream. Family members receive full work and study rights in Australia for the duration of the visa.
A: The primary PR pathway from the SID visa is the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. Applicants typically need at least 2 years of full-time employment with their sponsoring employer in an eligible occupation. Your employer must also be willing to nominate you for permanent residency. OnePoint can assist with planning this transition.
A: A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a type of Labour Agreement between the Australian Government and a regional authority or employer, allowing them to sponsor workers for occupations and under conditions not available through standard streams. DAMAs often allow reduced English language requirements and a broader range of eligible occupations for genuine regional workforce needs.
A: Employers must advertise the position in Australia and demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit locally before sponsoring an overseas worker. Advertising must meet the Department of Home Affairs' requirements in terms of timing, platforms, and content. Failure to comply with LMT requirements is one of the most common reasons for nomination refusals.
A: If your sponsoring employer ceases sponsorship, you have a grace period of up to 365 cumulative days to find a new approved sponsor, apply for a different visa, or depart Australia. You have full work rights with any employer during this period.
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