Employer Sponsored Visa

Skills in Demand Visa
Subclass 482

The SID visa is an employer-sponsored visa valid for up to 4 years, permitting the holder to live and work in Australia for a sponsoring employer. It has pathways to employer-sponsored permanent residency.

Three streams. One goal: getting the right skilled worker into the right role, compliantly and on time.

4 yrsMax visa length (5 for HK passport holders)
3Visa streams available
IELTS 5.0Minimum English requirement

Who is the Skills in Demand Visa for?

Built for employers who can't source an appropriately skilled Australian or permanent resident worker for a role, and need to bring in skilled talent from overseas to close the gap.

Eligibility, common to every stream

Whichever stream applies, these baseline requirements need to be met.

  • Visa granted for up to 4 years, or 5 years for Hong Kong citizens
  • Job offer from an employer approved as a Standard Business Sponsor
  • At least 1 year of relevant work experience at the skill level of the nominated occupation
  • Relevant work experience must fall within the past 5 years
  • English language ability equivalent to IELTS 5.0
  • Indexed annual earnings based on Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings
  • Up to 12 months' flexibility without a sponsoring employer over the visa's life, in maximum 6-month blocks (condition 8607)
  • Payment of the current visa application charge, as set by the Department of Home Affairs

Compare the three streams

Select a stream to see what it allows, what it costs, and what it requires.

Core Skills Stream

For roles on the Core Skills Occupation List where you can't source a suitably skilled Australian or permanent resident.

With this visa, you can

  • Work in Australia for up to 4 years, or up to 5 for Hong Kong passport holders
  • Travel to and from Australia as often as you like while the visa is valid
  • Apply for permanent residence if eligible

Requirements

  • Nominated occupation appears on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
  • Market salary of at least $79,423 plus superannuation
  • At least 1 year of relevant work experience at the right skill level
  • Relevant skills assessment where required (mainly trade occupations)
  • Work only for your sponsor or an associated entity, unless exempt
  • Meet minimum English language standards, unless exempt

Specialist Skills Stream

For higher-earning specialist roles where you can't source a suitably skilled Australian worker.

With this visa, you can

  • Work in Australia for up to 4 years, or up to 5 for Hong Kong passport holders
  • Travel to and from Australia as often as you like while the visa is valid
  • Apply for permanent residence if eligible

Requirements

  • Nominated occupation sits in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 (2022 version)
  • Market salary of at least $146,576 plus superannuation
  • At least 1 year of relevant work experience at the right skill level
  • Relevant skills assessment where required (mainly trade occupations)
  • Work only for your sponsor or an associated entity, unless exempt
  • Meet minimum English language standards, unless exempt

Labour Agreement Stream

For workers nominated under a formal Labour Agreement negotiated between the employer and the Australian Government.

With this visa, you can

  • Work in Australia for up to 4 years for your sponsor, or up to 5 for Hong Kong passport holders
  • Travel to and from Australia as often as you like while the visa is valid
  • Be sponsored for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Requirements

  • Nominated occupation is specified in the Labour Agreement
  • At least 12 months' relevant full-time experience (or equivalent) in the last 5 years, unless the agreement says otherwise
  • Relevant skills assessment if required by the occupation or the agreement
  • Work only for your sponsor or an associated entity as specified in the agreement
  • Meet minimum English language standards, unless the agreement says otherwise

Application process

Four stages, from sponsorship approval through to a decision.

  1. 1

    Employer sponsorship approval

    The employer becomes an approved Standard Business Sponsor.

  2. 2

    Nomination

    The employer nominates the skilled worker for a genuine, vacant position that aligns with an eligible occupation.

  3. 3

    Visa application

    The applicant lodges the Subclass 482 visa application with supporting documents:

    • Passport
    • Skills assessment (if required)
    • Proof of English proficiency
    • Employment references
    • Police clearances
  4. 4

    Awaiting a decision

    Processing times vary by stream:

    • Core Skills stream: 3–6 months
    • Specialist Skills stream: 1–2 months
    • Labour Agreement stream: 3–5 months

Not sure which stream fits?

Roam Migration Law can assess your business's sponsorship position and identify the right stream, occupation, and salary threshold for your role.

Talk to Roam

FAQs

What is the Skills In Demand (SID) visa?

The Skills in Demand (SID) Subclass 482 visa is employer-sponsored, permitting a foreign national for a visa to live and work in Australia for the sponsoring organisation for up to 4 years. It can be renewed, allows the visa applicant to include certain family members, and has pathways to employer-sponsored permanent residency.

It requires the sponsoring organisation to become an approved business sponsor, and then subsequently sponsor a person for the SID Subclass 482 visa.

There are three main streams under this visa, please see the “Eligibility” tab for further information about each stream and the relevant criteria for each.

Yes, eligible family members, such as a spouse and dependent children, can be included in the application. 3. Is there a minimum salary requirement?

Yes, the Specialist Skills stream nominated position must meet the market salary and remuneration above $146,576 (Core Skills Income Threshold) + superannuation.  The Core Skills stream nominated position must meet the market salary and remuneration above $79,423 + superannuation. 

Yes, but the new employer must be an approved sponsor and nominate you for the same or a related occupation.

Processing times typically range from:

Core Skills stream

50% of applications: 83 days
90% of applications: 10 months

Specialist Skills stream

50% of applications: 10 days
90% of applications: 57 days

How Roam Migration Law Can Assist You

Navigating the visa application process can be complex. At Roam Migration Law, we provide:

  • Expert Guidance: Many years of experience in Australian immigration law.
  • Personalised Support: Tailored advice to maximise your chances of success.
  • Comprehensive Services: Assistance with employer sponsorship, nominations, and visa applications.

Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you bring skilled talent to Australia or achieve your work goals.

Get in touch