Visa Subclass 482 Australia
Australia’s Subclass 482 visa, also known as the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, is a temporary employer-sponsored visa designed to address genuine labour shortages. It enables Australian businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when suitably qualified Australian workers are unavailable Immigration and citizenship WebsiteQuestra.
What is This Visa For?
- The Subclass 482 (SID) visa allows employers to fill skilled positions they cannot staff domestically Immigration and citizenship WebsiteQuestra.
- It’s divided into three streams:
- Core Skills Stream: For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL); visa valid up to 4 years (up to 5 for Hong Kong passport holders) Immigration and citizenship WebsiteSOL MigrationEMC Australia.
- Specialist Skills Stream (Medium-Term stream): Targeted at high-demand skilled roles; offers up to 4 years’ stay and may lead to permanent residency TerraternVisa EmpireVisaVerge.
- Labour Agreement Stream: For employers with formal labour agreements with the government; tailored terms apply TerraternVisaGuide WorldVisaVerge.
When and Why Was It Introduced?
- Initially, Subclass 482 (the Temporary Skill Shortage visa or TSS visa) replaced the older 457 visa back in 2017 Wikipedia.
- On 7 December 2024, Subclass 482 was officially replaced by the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa, reflecting Australia’s updated migration strategy to better align with economic needs QuestraWikipedia.
- The introduction of the SID framework was a strategic move to respond swiftly to evolving labour shortages across industries, including construction, cybersecurity, agriculture, health, and more The AustralianQuestra.
Eligibility Criteria
Employer (Sponsor) Must:
- Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor.
- Conduct Labour Market Testing to prove no suitable Australian worker is available.
- Nominate an eligible occupation from the relevant list (CSOL, MLTSSL, or under a Labour Agreement).
- Offer a salary at or above the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) Immigration and citizenship WebsiteVisa EmpireEMC Australia.
- Comply with workplace laws and not have a history of non-compliance EMC AustraliaTerratern.
Applicant (Employee) Must:
- Hold a valid job nomination from an approved sponsor.
- Possess relevant skills, qualifications, and at least one year’s work experience in the nominated occupation (some streams may require more) SOL MigrationEMC AustraliaVisa Empire.
- Provide a skills assessment, if required for the occupation EMC AustraliaVisaGuide World.
- Meet English language proficiency requirements:
- For Core and Specialist Skills streams, typically an IELTS overall score of 5.0 with at least 5.0 in each band Immigration and citizenship Website.
- Exemptions apply for passport holders from certain countries or those with sufficient English education history Immigration and citizenship Website.
- Satisfy health and character checks as part of the standard requirements TerraternVisa Empire.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
- The Medium-Term (Specialist Skills) Stream often provides a direct path to permanent residency via visas like Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) or Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) TerraternVisa Empire.
- Short-Term stream holders may also be eligible under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream if certain requirements are met EMC AustraliaTerratern.
Processing Times & Current Challenges
- Although the SID visa aimed for quick processing—7 days for Core Stream, 21 days for Specialist Stream—recent reporting indicates delays:
- Only 50% of Core Stream applications are processed within 43 days; 90% within 84 days.
- Specialist Stream fares slightly better but still experiences delays The Australian.
- For applicants and sponsors, understanding this is vital. Delays can impact workforce planning and timelines.
Official Australian Government Resources
For authoritative and up-to-date information, refer to:
- Immi.gov.au – Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): overview and key details Immigration and citizenship Website.
- Core Skills Stream specifics – requirements, stay duration, sponsor/employee obligations Immigration and citizenship Website.
- English proficiency details – tests, exemptions, and required scores Immigration and citizenship Website.
- Skilled Occupation List information – official occupation lists and assessing authority details Immigration and citizenship Website.
Disclaimer from Student Consultants
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information purposes only. Visa laws and requirements are subject to change. Student Consultants strongly recommend that applicants always check the latest details directly on the Department of Home Affairs website:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/