Skills in Demand Visa (Specialist Skills Stream) Subclass 482
This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where they can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
Overview
Eligibility (per DOHA guidelines)
Step by Step (per DOHA guidelines)
Apply with Us
Overview
VISA STAY
Up to 4 years.
Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
COST
From AUD 4,015.00
Current as at 05/10/2026 · source: Department of Home Affairs
WITH THIS VISA
- work in Australia for up to 4 years or up to 5 years if you are a Hong Kong passport holder
- study (you won't receive government assistance)
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
- if eligible, apply for permanent residence.
Eligibility (per DOHA guidelines)
For applicants
The visa applicant must meet these requirements, as published by the Department of Home Affairs.
Be this age
There is no age requirement for this visa.
Be the holder of an appropriate visa
If you are applying in Australia, you must hold:
- a substantive visa, or
- a Bridging visa A, Bridging visa B or Bridging visa C
Have complied with previous visa conditions
If you are in Australia at the time of decision, you must have substantially complied with any conditions that apply or applied to your last substantive visa or bridging visa held.
Be nominated by an approved sponsor
Before you can apply for a Skills in Demand (SID) visa, your proposed employer will need to lodge a nomination application for you. They will only be able to do this if they are an approved sponsor or have at least lodged an application to become a Standard business sponsor.
Your employer must have nominated you to fill an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) listed occupation, excluding occupations listed in Major Groups 3, 7 or 8, where the nominated salary for the position meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
Work for your nominating employer
Australian business sponsor
You must be employed:
- in your nominated occupation and
- in that business or an associated entity
Overseas business sponsor
You must be employed:
- in your nominated occupation and
- in that business only (not an associated entity)
You might be exempt from this criterion if you have a certain occupation.
Have relevant skills, qualifications and employment background to perform occupation
If you are the primary visa applicant, you must demonstrate that you have the skills and experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation.
Some applicants must undertake a skills assessment to demonstrate this – see Have a positive skills assessment below.
If it is not mandatory for you to undertake a skills assessment, you are still required to provide other evidence to demonstrate that you meet these requirement. See Skills and occupation documents under the Step by Step tab.
Medical Practitioners
Have worked in your nominated occupation or a related field for at least 1 year
You must have at least 1 year relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
Work experience must be completed while working in the nominated occupation or performing tasks at the same skill level in a related field.
Work experience gained in a related field would involve tasks which are the same or closely related to those of the nominated position you intend to work as outlined in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
You should have gained your experience on a full-time, part-time or casual basis within the last 5 years. Work carried out on a part-time or casual basis must be equivalent to at last 12 months full-time work. The period of work does not need to be continuous.
Other ways you may be able to demonstrate your work experience could include where you have gained your experience:
- as part of a Masters and/or PhD – for relevant occupations, such as medical and research occupations
- while studying through a formal arrangement such as a clinical or industry placement, internship or apprenticeship
If the formal arrangement as specified above was:
- part of a CRICOS registered course, the study must have been relevant to the nominated occupation. For example, medical practitioners could count experience gained through internships or their final year of medical training, including periods of clinical placements.
- not part of a CRICOS registered course, the study must have been undertaken at the skill level of the relevant occupation
Have a positive skills assessment
Some primary SID visa applicants must undergo a mandatory skills assessment as part of the visa application process. Applicants who fit into this category and the type of assessment required are outlined in the IMMI 18/039: Mandatory Skills Assessment—Subclass 482 Visa. Depending on your nominated occupation, this will be a skills assessment by Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS.
Important: where a mandatory skills assessment is required, it must be commenced before submitting your visa application or your application will not be valid and will not be processed. As a result, you will be asked to provide a relevant skills assessment reference number when completing your application form.
The mandatory skills assessment must have been undertaken or commenced within the 3 year period ending immediately before the day the SID visa application is made.
You are encouraged to complete the skills assessment process before submitting your visa application to reduce processing delays.
Note:
- we can request a skills assessment as part of the visa application process even where it is not mandatory. We will request it in writing where this is the case
- a relevant skills assessment is different to being registered with an appropriate regulatory body
Exemption to a mandatory skills assessment
Have health insurance
Primary and secondary visa applicants are personally liable for healthcare costs while in Australia. Health insurance helps limit your financial liability.
You must maintain adequate health cover for the whole of your intended period of stay if you are granted this visa. Your insurance should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport. It will be a condition of the visa that you maintain adequate health insurance while you remain in Australia.
See a guide to what we consider adequate health insurance.
Learn more about health insurance for overseas visitors.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Meet our health requirement
You and any secondary applicants who apply for a SID visa must meet the health requirement. The results of health examinations are generally valid for 12 months.
Important: You should organise your health examinations upfront before lodging a visa application to reduce processing times.
Meet our character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Important: if you are sponsored by an accredited sponsor, you are not required to obtain police certificates from countries other than Australia provided you attach a reference from your accredited sponsor confirming that you are of good character and that you have not been convicted of any criminal offences. You must still, however, provide any required Australian police clearances where applicable or when requested to do so.
Have not contravened ‘paying for visa sponsorship’ legislative provisions
Paying for visa sponsorship refers to asking for, offering, receiving or providing a benefit in return for a sponsorship related event, whether the event occurs or not. You or any secondary applicants must not have, in the past 3 years, engaged in any such conduct. You may still satisfy this criterion if you have engaged in such conduct, and the Minister considers it reasonable to disregard it.
Have this level of English language
Primary visa applicants must meet certain minimum standards of English language proficiency, unless exemptions apply.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Have no debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you and any secondary applicants are 18 years of age or older, you must confirm that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you agree to or sign an Australian Values Statement.
For employers (sponsors)
The sponsoring employer must meet these requirements, as published by the Department of Home Affairs.
Be a Standard Business Sponsor
You must be, or have applied to become a Standard Business Sponsor.
See how to:
- become a Standard Business Sponsor
- become an Accredited Sponsor
Nominate the worker for an eligible occupation
You must nominate the worker. The occupation you nominate them for must be an Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) listed occupation in Major Group 1,2,4,5 or 6, where the nominated salary for the position meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
Be unable to find an Australian worker
You must be unable to find an Australian citizen or permanent resident with the skills and experience needed for to fill the nominated position.
You must do labour market testing to show us you can't find an Australian to do the work.
Pay the annual market salary rate
If the nominee will be paid an annual salary of less than AUD250,000, you must determine and show us that you will pay the nominee at least the annual market salary rate (AMSR) for the nominated position.
Have a genuine position available
The position associated with the nomination must be genuine. This means that the position must exist and be what it says it is. Things we consider for genuineness include:
- whether the skills and duties of the position are consistent with the skill level and the tasks of the nominated occupation as listed in ANZSCO
- whether the position is consistent with the nature of your business (for example, whether it fits clearly within the scope of the activities of the business and the scale of your business)
- whether the position was created just to help your nominee stay in, or migrate to, Australia.
The position must also be full-time. A full-time position is generally considered one where the employee works:
- 38 hours per week or
- a period between 32 and 45 hours that is specified under:
- an industry award or agreement and
- is consistent with the National Employment Standards (NES).
Engage nominee under written contract of employment
Australian business sponsors
If the nominated occupation does not fall within one of these exemptions, your nominee must be engaged under a written contract of employment to work only for your business, or for an associated entity of your business.
Overseas business sponsors
If the nominated occupation does not fall within one of these exemptions, your nominee must be engaged under a written contract of employment to work only for your business. Nominees are not permitted to work for an associated entity of your business in Australia.
On-hire arrangements
Employers who propose to supply the services of SID visa holders to unrelated businesses can't do so under standard business sponsorship.
Not engage in discriminatory practices
You must not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices. We will investigate any allegations which raise concerns about the composition of the sponsor's workforce and recruitment practices. We take all allegations of misconduct seriously.
Employment conditions must be equivalent to Australian workers
The employment conditions that will apply to the nominee must not be less favourable than those that apply/ would apply to an Australian worker performing equivalent work at the same location.
No adverse information
There must be no adverse information known about your business or any person associated with your business, unless it is reasonable for us to disregard the known adverse information. See more about adverse information.
Step by Step (per DOHA guidelines)
Before you apply
Things you will need to arrange before you apply could include obtaining a skills assessment, an English proficiency exam or undertaking a health assessment. You might also want to get help with your application.
Be nominated by your prospective employer
Ensure your prospective employer has or will nominate you for a nominated position in their business.
You will need the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) for the nomination application that your employer has lodged on your behalf when you submit your SID visa application online at step 3. You can request this information from your employer if you do not have this number.
Check your passport
You need a valid passport or other travel document for this visa. If you plan to get a new passport, you should do so before applying for your visa.
Get your skills assessed
For some occupations and classes of applicants, it is mandatory to obtain a skills assessment, or have organised to obtain one at the time you apply for your SID visa.
Check if you need to get a skills assessment for your occupation.
If you are required to undertake a mandatory skills assessment we prefer that the assessment is completed before you apply for the visa. However, you can apply once you have the skills assessment reference number. You will need to record the skills assessment reference number in your SID visa application when submitting your online application. It cannot be submitted after you submit your application.
Organise English exams
If you need to show you meet the minimum standards of English language proficiency, organise to take your English language tests. English language test results can be no more than 3 years old.
Organise health exams
You will need to have health examinations. You can complete them before you apply or you can wait until we tell you to have them.
Find out the examinations you need and how to arrange them before you apply.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
Gather your documents
Documents you may have to provide could include documents for your identity, character, skills, work experience, health and English language proficiency.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Identity documents
We need proof of your identity. If you can't prove your identity:
- we will refuse your visa application
- we might not grant you another visa for 10 years
- we might not grant any family members you listed on your application a visa for 10 years
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide proof of change of name, if this applies.
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by
- deed poll certificate
- statutory declaration if the differences are small
Skills and occupation documents
If it is mandatory for you to provide a skills assessment or proof that you have arranged to obtain one
We won't process your application if you don't provide this.
- For SID skills assessment by Trades Recognition Australia, your application must include the relevant skills assessment reference number.
- For the occupations of Project and Program Administrator or Specialist Manager not elsewhere classified you must include the relevant skills assessment reference number for your VETASSESS Skills Assessment.
If you are claiming an exemption from undertaking a mandatory skills assessment because of an exemption specified in the legislative instrument you must provide relevant evidence with your application.
If it is not mandatory for you to undertake a skills assessment
You are still required to provide other evidence to demonstrate that you have relevant skills, qualifications and employment background to undertake the nominated occupation.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- a copy of relevant qualification certificates (professional and educational)
- a copy of any required registration/licensing
- previous employment reference
- your curriculum vitae or resumé
- previous employment references
Registration/licensing
Where relevant, you must provide evidence from the relevant Australian registration or licensing authority (in the state or territory in which you will be working) that you hold or will be able to meet necessary registration or licensing requirements. The information relating to registration or licensing required must specify the type of registration or licensing held and the name and contact details for the registering or licensing authority. Your approved sponsor should be able to provide you with the necessary licensing and registration information.
Registration for Medical Practitioners
You must provide written evidence that the relevant medical board has recognised your qualifications and that you have been registered or will be given medical registration.
Curriculum vitae (CV) / Resume
Curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé that you provide must include full employment and educational history, including dates and positions held, for at least the last 5 years.
Employment references
Employment references that you provide should cover a period sufficient to demonstrate relevant skill level. They must be on the letterhead of the employer and include:
- the name, title and contact details of the referee
- employment details your position
- dates of service
English language proficiency documents
Provide proof that you meet the minimum standards of English language proficiency, or that you are exempt from the requirement to show this.
Health insurance
You will need to provide evidence of adequate health insurance for you and any secondary applicants for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreement.
Character documents
Provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
For immigration purposes, Australian police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Also provide:
- an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16
- if required, penal check letters are available by contacting espd@homeaffairs.gov.au and include the words “Front end load – Penal Check Letter” in the subject line of your email.
- military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country
Further information is available at: Character requirements for visas
If you are sponsored by an accredited sponsor, you are not required to obtain police certificates from countries other than Australia provided you attach a reference from your accredited sponsor confirming you are of good character and you have not been convicted of any criminal offences.
We will tell you if you also need to complete and provide the following forms:
Partner documents
Provide:
- identity documents
- character documents
- documents about other relationships, if applicable
Provide either:
- your current marriage certificate or
- enough documents to prove you are in a de facto relationship with your partner
Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show you have lived at the same address as your partner
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:
- the pages of their current passport showing their photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates (if your child is under 5 years old you can include them in the application without a passport)
- copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children
- copies of the adoption papers, if applicable
- character documents, if applicable.
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for the child to come to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to visit Australia on this visa
Include a document with the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a:
- passport
- driver’s licence
Dependants over 18 documents
For every dependant 18 years old or older who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
Proof of dependency
Where you need to prove that a person is dependent on you, provide:
- a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over
- proof of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:
- proof they live with you
- their tax records
- proof they are currently studying
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
Attach
Attach a document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing.
Learn more about attaching documents.
Apply for the visa
You apply for this visa online.
Apply for the visa online in ImmiAccount
- Log in or create an ImmiAccount
- Attach documents
- Pay the application fee. We will not process your application until you pay the fee.
- Note the Transaction reference number
Each family member must have their application charge paid and documents attached to their application.
After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application and documents. See what you can and must do after you apply.
Status updates
We can’t give updates on applications within the standard processing time.
We might ask for more information. We are not obligated to request further information or documents and can make a decision on the information provided.
Travel after you apply
Do not arrange to travel to Australia until we let you know, in writing, that we have granted you the visa.
Health exams
If you didn't have health examinations before you applied, we will let you know if you need them.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Attach more information
If you didn't send us all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as you can in ImmiAccount.
We might also ask you to provide more information.
We are not obligated to request additional information or documents and can make a decision on your visa application based on the information available at the time.
Stay lawful
If you are in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application. You must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, Bridging B or Bridging C visa for your visa application to be processed.
If you were in Australia when you applied for this visa, you may have been granted a Bridging visa. If your current visa expires before we decide on your application, the Bridging visa will start. You can stay in Australia on the Bridging visa while we process your new visa application.
Do not ask us to cancel your current visa. If your visa is cancelled, you will:
- be staying in Australia unlawfully
- not be eligible for a Bridging visa.
Learn more about travelling on your visa.
Learn about visa expiry.
Add family
Refer to Include other family members for details of family members who can be included in your visa application.
You can't add family members to your visa application after it has been submitted.
If you have submitted your visa application and we are processing it, certain family members that were not included in your visa application can submit a subsequent entrant application.
Alternatively, if we have granted you a visa, certain family members may apply to join you in Australia later as a subsequent entrant.
Newborn children
Find out what to do if you have a child after you applied for this visa.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence – complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice – complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
Visa outcome
You can be in or outside Australia when we decide on your visa application.
We must have approved your employer’s nomination before we can grant you a SID visa.
We will let you know our decision about your visa application in writing. We will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions
Keep a copy of the decision with you when in Australia.
If we refuse your visa we will let you know in writing. We will tell you:
- why it was refused
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision
We will not refund the application fee if we refuse your application.
Apply with Us
Start your migration journey today
Send us an enquiry today to get started on your visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Are My Visa Conditions?
Conditions attached to this visa include that you work in Australia only in the occupation you were nominated for and only for your nominating business or in some circumstances, an associated entity of the business.
Your family can also live, study and work in Australia.
Learn more about conditions on this visa.
You and your family must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
You must begin your employment within 90 days of:
- entering Australia, if you are outside Australia when grant the visa
- the visa grant date, if you are in Australia when we grant the visa
Do You Have Any Further Questions?
We understand that you may have specific questions about your own unique situation, so if there is anything you need to know that is not addressed on this website, do not hesitate to contact us.
