Skills in Demand (482)
An Australian employer sponsors you for up to four years. After two years full-time on the visa, a permanent visa through your employer can open up.
- Category
- Employer
- Streams
- Specialist Skills, Core Skills, Labour Agreement
- Salary floor (2026–27)
- A$79,423 Core Skills; A$146,576 Specialist Skills
- Government charge
- A$4,015 main applicant
- Leads to
- 186 PR after 2 years full-time
- Our fee
- From A$2,500
Start here
Do this
- Check the salary against both the threshold and the market rate
- Keep payslips, contracts and references for every job
- Make sure your real duties match the nominated occupation
- Note the date you'll reach 2 years full-time
Avoid this
- Paying anyone for sponsorship — it's illegal
- Starting a different role without a new nomination
- Accepting a salary below A$79,423 for a Core Skills role
- Letting your passport or English result expire mid-process
What a wrong turn can cost: A refused nomination wastes the employer's fees and the time already spent advertising — and can leave you without a visa to stay on.
Are you on the right track?
- Do you have at least 1 year of full-time work in your field in the last 5 years?
- Is the salary at least A$79,423 and the market rate?
- Is your employer already an approved sponsor?
Unsure about any of these? Talk it through on a free call — you're not alone in this.
Is this you?
- Your employer has offered to sponsor you.
- You're on a 485 and working in your field.
- You're overseas with skills and a possible job offer.
What changed
1 Jul 2026 The Core Skills salary floor is A$79,423. Some websites still quote A$79,499 — that figure is wrong.
2 Oct 2026 482 holders can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia.
19 Sep 2026 Priority sectors and Specialist Skills applications are processed first.
Where do I stand?
Answer a few quick questions to see where you are on the 482 path — and what to sort out first.
Where do I stand?
Who qualifies
- At least 1 year of relevant full-time work in the last 5 years.
- Vocational English for the 482 (for IELTS tests from 13 September 2025, an overall 5.0 with minimum band scores). We confirm the exact scores for your test.
- A skills assessment only for some occupations and passport holders.
- An approved employer sponsor, a genuine role, and pay that meets the threshold and market rate.
Step by step
- Readiness checkOccupation, stream, salary, experience and English — before anyone pays a fee.
- Employer sponsorshipThe business becomes an approved sponsor (A$420, valid 5 years).
- Job advertisingUsually at least 4 weeks of compliant ads, unless an exemption applies.
- Nomination and visaLodged together where possible.
- PR planningWe note the date you'll be eligible for the 186.
Document checklist
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
Common problems
Myths and facts
How we help you with Skills in Demand
- 1UnderstandA readiness check of occupation, salary, experience and English.
- 2PlanA written plan for you and your employer, with costs split clearly.
- 3PrepareAds written and timed, documents tracked, the employer briefed.
- 4LodgeNomination and visa lodged together, with fast responses to Home Affairs.
- 5DestinationGrant explained, and your 186 eligibility date in your calendar.
What you'll receive
How we keep in touch: Updates to you and your employer at each stage, with one shared timeline so nobody's waiting on anyone.
Three ways to do it
An honest look at your options. Some people do this themselves, and that can work well.
| Topic | With Omar Nafiz | Doing it yourself | With another provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary check | Threshold and market rate checked before any fee | Often found after a refusal | Varies |
| Advertising | Written and timed to the rules | Easy to get wrong | Varies |
| Employer | Briefed with a clear pack and timeline | You chase them | Varies |
| Costs | Your costs and the employer's costs shown separately | Unclear who pays what | Sometimes passed on to you, which isn't allowed |
| PR | 186 date planned from day one | Planned later, if at all | Usually a new engagement |
Free mini-course: Your 482 roadmap
5 short lessons and quick checks. About 18 minutes.
A situation like yours
An illustrative situation, in Omar's words. Names and details are fictional. See all situations.
A chef with a sponsorship offer
- Age 38
- English Competent
- 💼 Skills in Demand
The situation. Tomas is 38 and works as a chef. His employer has offered to sponsor him. He wants to know how long he can stay, and what comes after.
How I'd approach it
What I check first. First I check that his occupation fits the stream and that the pay meets both tests. The Core Skills salary floor has been A$79,423 since 1 July 2026. Any job offer is not enough.
The options. A 482 lasts up to four years. After two years full-time on it, a permanent employer-nominated visa can open up. I map that route before he lodges.
Age and English. A 482 is not points-tested, so his age and English do not score here. They still matter later. The standard employer route to permanent residence has an age limit around 45, and he is 38. Better English also keeps more routes open. I confirm the exact age rule against Home Affairs before lodging.
My caution. He must never pay his employer to sponsor him. It is illegal for both sides and can cost him the visa. The government charge for the 482 is A$4,015 for the main applicant (as at 1 July 2026).
Illustrative situation. The names and details are fictional.
Questions people ask
Do I need a skills assessment?
Usually not. Some occupations and passport holders do.
Can my family come?
Generally yes, with work and study rights.
What if I lose my job?
You generally have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor, apply for another visa, or leave.
How do I get PR?
After 2 years full-time on the 482, your employer can nominate you for the 186. If you've changed employers, ask us how your time counts.
Pricing
Consultation
A full review of your situation and a written plan.
Visa only
When your employer is already approved and has nominated you.
Full package
Sponsorship, ad audit, nomination and visa. Usually employer-paid.
Government visa charge (Department of Home Affairs, as at 1 July 2026)
| Visa | Main applicant | Extra 18+ | Extra under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482), all streams | A$4,015 | A$4,015 | A$1,005 |
Checked 22 October 2026. Official pricing table · Estimate for your family
Our prices as at 22 October 2026. Packages are paid in stages, only after you sign a written service agreement. All services and fees.
Book
Talk to us about Skills in Demand
Start with a free 15-minute phone call. If you need full advice, book a A$110 consultation — it comes off your package.
Often considered alongside
Official sources
Figures checked 8 October 2026. Visa rules and charges change — we confirm everything for your situation before you pay for a package.