Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482

Visa Subclass 482 enables employers to address labour shortages by hiring overseas skilled workers if they cannot find an appropriately skilled candidate in Australia. The 482 visa is a temporary visa, which entitles skilled workers to work in Australia for up to four years if they are sponsored by an approved Australian employer.

It is compulsory for a visa applicant to have professional skills or work experience  in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.

482 visa holders can work in Australia in their nominated occupation and in some cases may have a pathway to permanent residency.

Streams

This visa is comprised of tree streams: Core Skills stream, Specialist Skills stream and Labour Agreement Stream.

The 482 visa (Short-Term Stream) allows an overseas workers to live in Australia, while working full-time for his or her sponsoring employer, in the nominated position up to 4 years or up to 5 if an employee is a Hong Kong passport holder.

Requirements for Applicants

  • Applicants must be nominated by an Australian business which meets sponsorship requirements and has been approved as a sponsor;
  • Must obtain a score of minimum overall 5 IELTS (with minimum of 4.5 in each of the test components) exemptions apply
  • At least 1 years of work experience related to the nominated occupation is required;
  • Occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL);
  • Demonstrate appropriate skills and qualifications to work in the nominated occupation;
  • Meet health and character requirements;
  • Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer.

Requirements for Australian Employers

  • Employers who want to sponsor overseas workers must become Standard Business Sponsors. To become an approved sponsor, the organisation must be legally established and actively operating in Australia. The company can be located in or outside Australia.
  • Employers must pay at least a minimum annual salary which is equal or greater than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is currently AUD73,150 plus Superannuation. In addition the salary must also be must also be competitive in the market for that occupation.
  • The business must demonstrate that it has tested the local labour market by advertising the position locally;
  • Employers must also pass a non-discriminatory workforce test to guarantee they do not discriminate against Australian workers during the nomination stage and have a strong commitment to utilising local labour;

The medium-term (Subclass 482) Visa stream allows applicants to stay in Australia  for up to 4 years (or up to 5 years if the applicant is a Hong Kong passport holder) to work on their employer with the option to apply for another 482 Visa or Permanent Residency if eligible.

Requirements for Applicants

  • Applicants must be nominated by an Australian business which meets sponsorship requirements and has been approved as a sponsor;
  • Must obtain a score of minimum overall 5 IELTS (with minimum of 5 in each of the test components) – exemptions apply;
  • At least 1 years of work experience related to the nominated occupation is required;
  • Demonstrate appropriate skills and qualifications to work in the nominated occupation
  • Occupation must be listed Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) listed in Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6
  • Meet health and character requirements;
  • Immediate family members may be included, with the support of the employer.

Requirements for Australian Employers

  • Employers who want to sponsor overseas workers must become Standard Business Sponsors. To become an approved sponsor, the organisation must be legally established and actively operating in Australia. The company can be located in or outside Australia.
  • Employers must pay at least a minimum annual salary which is equal or greater than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is currently $135,000 plus Superannuation. In addition, the salary must also be must also be competitive in the market for that occupation.
  • The business must demonstrate that it has tested the local labour market by advertising the position locally;
  • Employers must also pass a non-discriminatory workforce test to guarantee they do not discriminate against Australian workers during the nomination stage and have a strong commitment to utilising local labour;

The Labour Agreement stream allows applicants to stay in Australia  for up to 4 years (or up to 5 years if the applicant is a Hong Kong passport holder) to work on their employer with the option to apply for another 482 Visa or Permanent Residency if eligible.

This stream may be used in rare circumstances if an Australian employer can prove a need that cannot be met by Australian workers and other visa programs are not available. These agreements should be arranged between an employer and the Department of Home Affairs to enable an employer to hire overseas workers that may have a:

  • Specified age
  • Specified Occupation
  • Skill level
  • English language
  • Annual incomу

The nominated occupation must be the subject of a labour agreement between the Commonwealth and the Australian employer.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS INCLUDES 3 STEPS:
  1. Application to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor;
  2. Application for a nomination by the employer;
  3. Visa application by the nominated employee.
How Sydney Visa can assist:

The process of acquiring Standard Business Sponsorship and Nomination as well as a visa for an overseas worker is rather complex. Sydney Visa can assist you through all these complicated steps.

Our aim is to support our clients from initial assessment through to the visa grant and subsequent relocation to Australia. Therefore, Sydney Visa offers Comprehensive Employer Sponsored Visa Application package as well as Australian job search services.

482 VISA: APPLICANTS AND SPONSORS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISAS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISAS: VISA TYPES AND DIFFERENCES

Apply for a Subclass 482 Visa in Australia with Expert Guidance at Every Step

The Subclass 482 visa, also known as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, enables skilled workers to fill labour shortages in Australia when no suitable local candidates are available. If you have a job offer from an approved employer and meet the criteria, this visa allows you to live and work in Australia temporarily—and in some cases, even leads to permanent residency.

At Sydney Visa, we specialise in helping applicants and employers navigate the complexities of the Subclass 482 visa process. Our expert migration agents ensure your application is complete, timely, and compliant with current regulations.

Learn the Costs, Processing Times & Requirements for the Australian 482 Work Visa

Applying for a Subclass 482 visa involves several components, each of which must be clearly understood to avoid delays or rejections.

Key Requirements for a Subclass 482 Visa:

  • Job Offer: You must have an offer from an Australian employer who is an approved sponsor.
  • Skills and Experience: Your occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list, and you must have the required qualifications and at least two years of work experience.
  • English Proficiency: Most applicants need to demonstrate adequate English language skills, typically via IELTS or equivalent.
  • Health and Character: Medical examinations and police clearance certificates are mandatory.

Documents You’ll Need:

  • Passport
  • Proof of qualifications and work experience
  • English test results
  • Health examination confirmation
  • Police clearance certificates
  • Employment contract

Cost of a Subclass 482 Visa:

  • Short-term stream: AUD $1,455
  • Medium-term and labour agreement stream: AUD $3,035
  • Additional charges apply for family members and health checks.

Processing Times:

  • Short-term stream: 4–6 months
  • Medium-term stream: 4–7 months
  • Labour agreement stream: may vary

At Sydney Visa, we help you assess the total cost, prepare documents, and avoid common pitfalls during the application process.

Choose the Right Subclass 482 Stream: Short-Term, Medium-Term or Labour Agreement

The Subclass 482 visa includes three primary streams, each designed for different job types and durations.

Short-Term Stream:

  • For occupations listed on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
  • Allows stay up to two years (or four if an international trade obligation applies).
  • Renewable once while in Australia.

Medium-Term Stream:

  • For occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
  • Stay up to four years, with eligibility for permanent residency.

Labour Agreement Stream:

  • For applicants whose employers have negotiated a labour agreement with the Australian Government.
  • Conditions and requirements vary based on agreement terms.

Selecting the correct stream is crucial. We provide a detailed assessment of your situation to match you with the most appropriate visa type.

Get an Employer-Sponsored 482 Visa: Eligibility, Obligations & Application Help

One of the key features of the Subclass 482 visa is that it requires employer sponsorship. The employer must meet specific criteria and accept obligations.

Employer Obligations:

  • Must be an approved sponsor.
  • Must conduct labour market testing to prove no local workers were available.
  • Must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) training levy.
  • Must offer terms of employment comparable to Australian workers.

Sponsorship Requirements for Employees:

  • Must be nominated for an eligible occupation.
  • Must be paid the market salary rate.

At Sydney Visa, we work closely with both employers and candidates to prepare and lodge complete sponsorship and nomination applications. We ensure all legal obligations are clearly understood and met.

Subclass 482 Visa Extension, Refusals & Adding Family – Full Support Throughout

Our services don’t end at visa grant. We support our clients throughout their time in Australia.

Extending a Subclass 482 Visa:

  • Short-term stream visas can typically be extended once.
  • Medium-term and labour agreement stream visas may be extended or transitioned to permanent residency.
  • We help prepare renewal applications, ensuring compliance and continuity of employment.

Dealing with Visa Refusals:

  • We assess refusal reasons.
  • Help you lodge appeals or new applications.
  • Provide representation in review tribunals if necessary.

Adding Family Members:

  • Subclass 482 visa holders can include family members as secondary applicants.
  • Each dependent must meet health and character requirements.
Pathways from Subclass 482 Visa to Permanent Residency and Subclass 186 Transition

Many holders of Subclass 482 visas aspire to become permanent residents in Australia. Several pathways make this transition possible.

Transition to Subclass 186 Visa – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS):

  • Available to medium-term 482 visa holders.
  • You must have worked for your sponsor for at least 2 out of the previous 3 years.
  • Must meet age, English, and skills requirements.

Regional PR Pathways:

  • If you’re working in a designated regional area, you may transition through other skilled migration streams.

Short-Term to PR via Other Streams:

  • In some cases, switching to another visa class (such as a partner visa or state-nominated skilled visa) is a viable route.

Why Choose Sydney Visa?

  • Highly experienced migration agents.
  • Full lifecycle service from consultation to PR transition.
  • Transparent process and communication.
  • We understand that every case is about real people, families, and futures.

Visit our homepage to learn more about our services or book a consultation.

Contact Details: Sydney Visa – Visa and Migration Advisory Service
261 Harris Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Phone: (+61) 283 112 398
WhatsApp: +61 481 048 493
Email: mail@sydneyvisa.com.au

Take the next step with confidence.
Apply for your Subclass 482 visa through Sydney Visa and receive personalised assistance every step of the way.

Start your application today and get a free initial eligibility assessment!