Skills in Demand Visa – Subclass 482 (Employer-Sponsored)
Hire Skilled Professionals or Work in Australia Under the New Skills in Demand Framework
The Skills in Demand Visa – Subclass 482 allows approved Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for genuine skilled roles they are unable to fill locally. This visa replaces and modernises the previous TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) program and introduces new occupation and salary frameworks including the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and tiered income thresholds.
ABEE’S Consultancy prepares structured, compliance-focused employer-sponsored visa submissions aligned with the latest Migration Regulations and legislative instruments, ensuring occupation selection, salary levels, and evidence requirements meet current standards.
Visa Streams Under the Updated Subclass 482
1. Core Skills Stream
Designed for workers in occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
- Visa validity of up to 4 years
- Occupation must appear on the CSOL
- Minimum salary must meet or exceed the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
- Applicants require a minimum of 1 year full-time relevant work experience
2. Specialist Skills Stream
For highly skilled, highly paid professionals filling specialised roles.
- Salary must meet or exceed the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)
- Occupations generally include ANZSCO Skill Levels 1–3
- Visa validity up to 4 years
- Strong evidence of high-level expertise and seniority required
3. Labour Agreement Stream
For workers sponsored under an approved labour agreement between an employer and the Australian Government.
- Enables sponsorship for occupations or arrangements not covered in CSOL
- Terms (salary, English, skills, PR pathways) set by the specific agreement
- Up to 4 years visa validity
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The CSOL is the official occupation list for the Core Skills Stream of the 482 visa. It replaces the previous STSOL, MLTSSL, and ROL lists for this visa category.
CSOL Framework
- Contains ~450+ skilled occupations
- Determined through Jobs and Skills Australia’s workforce modelling
- Updated through legislative instruments
- Includes occupations across trades, healthcare, engineering, ICT, hospitality, community services and more
“Your nominated occupation must appear on the
for the Core Skills Stream. ABEE’S Consultancy confirms the correct occupation and eligibility under the Skills in Demand framework prior to lodgement.”
Eligibility Requirements – Updated Legislative Criteria
1. Sponsoring Employer Requirements
- Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor or labour agreement sponsor
- Nominate a genuine, full-time skilled position
- Conduct labour market testing (unless exemptions apply)
- Meet salary requirements (CSIT / SSIT and market salary rate)
- Comply with sponsorship obligations including record-keeping and equivalent pay
2. Applicant Requirements
- Hold a CSOL-listed occupation (Core Skills) OR meet Specialist Skills stream criteria
- Have at least 1 year full-time relevant work experience within the last 5 years
- Demonstrate valid English language ability (per recent legislative updates)
- Meet skills and qualification requirements for the nominated occupation
- Satisfy health and character requirements
3. Salary Requirements
Salary thresholds include:
- CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold): minimum annual salary required for Core Skills roles
- SSIT (Specialist Skills Income Threshold): higher threshold for specialist stream roles
- Market salary rate must be met to ensure no underpayment
- Thresholds are indexed annually and subject to change
“Salaries must meet the minimum threshold applicable to the stream (CSIT/SSIT) and align with equivalent Australian worker rates.”
Application Process – Subclass 482
Step 1: Sponsorship Approval
Employer becomes an approved Standard Business Sponsor unless already approved.
Step 2: Nomination Application
Employer nominates:
- The occupation (CSOL or Specialist stream)
- Salary and employment conditions
- The position as genuine and full-time
Step 3: Visa Application
Applicant submits:
- Skills, qualifications, and work experience evidence
- English test results
- Health insurance
- Identity documents
- Police clearances
Step 4: Health & Character Finalisation
Department checks health and character requirements.
Step 5: Department Assessment & Visa Grant
A 482 visa may be granted for up to 4 years depending on the stream and occupation.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
Subclass 482 visa holders may transition to PR through:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494 → 191 PR)
- Labour agreement PR pathways (where available)
Subclass 482 allows sponsorship of:
- Partners (married or de facto)
- Dependent children
Secondary applicants receive the same work and study rights consistent with the main visa stream.
Frequently Asked Questions – Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
Is the 482 visa still the TSS visa?
It is the updated version under the new Skills in Demand model with revised occupation lists and rules.
Is a skills assessment required?
Only for certain occupations or nationalities under legislative requirements.
Can I change employers?
Yes, but your new employer must lodge a new nomination before you begin work.
Is the 1-year experience rule mandatory?
Yes, most streams require 1 year of relevant full-time work within the past 5 years.
Does 482 lead to permanent residency?
Yes. Pathways exist under subclass 186 and 494 → 191 depending on occupation, employer support, and eligibility.
ABEE’S Consultancy – Employer-Sponsored Visa Services
ABEE’S Consultancy prepares high-quality, compliant applications for:
- Sponsorship approval
- Nomination under Core, Specialist, or Labour Agreement streams
- Visa lodgement and evidence compilation
Our approach ensures:
- Correct occupation selection under CSOL or Specialist criteria
- Accurate market salary analysis
- Complete evidence of the genuine position
- Compliance with the Migration Regulations and sponsorship obligations
Each case is structured to reflect employer needs and worker eligibility while meeting legislative requirements.
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