The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) lets an Australian employer sponsor you to work in your occupation for up to four years. For many people it's the most reliable step towards permanent residence through an employer.

It usually suits you if

• an employer wants to keep you or hire you, and will sponsor you
• you have at least a year of real experience in your field
• you're on a 485 or another temporary visa and need a longer-term plan

The streams, simply

• Core Skills — most sponsored roles. Occupation on the Core Skills list, salary at least A$79,423.
• Specialist Skills — higher earners (A$146,576+). Excludes trades, machinery operators and labourers. Processed fastest.
• Labour Agreement — for employers with an agreement, including regional DAMAs, sometimes with concessions.

Almost every 482 case comes down to four checks. If one is weak, the whole application is at risk.

1. A genuine sponsor — an approved (or approvable) Australian business with a real need for the role.
2. The right occupation and salary — your job matches an eligible occupation, and pay meets both the threshold and the market rate.
3. Your experience — at least 1 year of full-time relevant work in the last 5 years.
4. English and any skills assessment — Vocational English, and a skills assessment only for some occupations and passports.

A job title that sounds right isn't enough. The duties you actually do must match the occupation the employer nominates.

Here's the usual order. Some steps can run together, which saves time.

1. Readiness check — occupation, stream, salary, experience and English, before anyone pays a fee.
2. Employer sponsorship — the business becomes an approved sponsor (A$420, valid 5 years).
3. Job advertising — usually at least 4 weeks, unless an exemption applies.
4. Nomination and visa — lodged together where possible.
5. Grant and PR plan — we note the date you'll become eligible for permanent residence.

Who pays what

• You: the visa charge (A$4,015 main applicant), health checks, police checks and English test.
• Your employer: sponsorship, nomination and the training levy. These can't be passed on to you.

Most 482 problems are avoidable.

Do

• Check salary against the threshold and market rate first
• Keep every payslip, contract and reference
• Make sure your duties match the occupation
• Plan your PR date from day one

Avoid

• Paying an employer, or anyone, for sponsorship — it's illegal and can cost you the visa
• Starting a different role without a new nomination
• Letting your visa or passport run close to expiry
• Relying on a template letter or a friend's occupation

For most people the 482 is a bridge, not the destination. The usual next step is the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

1. Work 2 years full-time on your 482, in your occupation.
2. Check age and English — generally under 45 (some exemptions) and Competent English.
3. Your employer nominates you for the 186 — Temporary Residence Transition stream, usually with no new skills assessment.

Since 19 September 2026, priority sectors like construction, healthcare and teaching — and applicants in Australia — are processed first.