Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa: Specialist Skills Stream
If you are a senior professional or specialist being sponsored by an Australian employer at a salary meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT), the Specialist Skills stream of the employer sponsored visa 482 was built for you. This stream is not tied to a specific occupation list — it is open to a wide range of professional and managerial roles at qualifying salary levels.
Key Facts
Stay
Permanently
Cost
From AUD4,910.00
Work Rights
Full work rights, anywhere in Australia
Family
Include your partner and dependent children
Citizenship
Pathway to Australian citizenship
What Is the Specialist Skills Stream?
The 482 temporary skill shortage visa Specialist Skills stream allows Australian employers to sponsor workers in ANZSCO occupations in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 — provided the nominated salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
Unlike the Core Skills stream, the Specialist Skills stream is not tied to a specific occupation list (CSOL). Instead, it is open to any ANZSCO occupation in the eligible major groups at the qualifying salary level.
This stream operates separately from the Core Skills stream and the Global Talent Scheme (GTS). The GTS is an Australian Government pilot scheme for employers to fill highly specialised roles that cannot be filled through other visa programs, including this stream. If your role may qualify under the GTS, our agents can advise you on the most appropriate pathway.
What You Can Do on This Visa
- Work in Australia for up to 4 years for your sponsoring employer (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders)
- Study in Australia (at your own expense — no government assistance)
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
- Include your partner and dependent children in your application
- Your family members can live, work, and study in Australia
- If eligible, apply for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
482 Visa Eligibility — Specialist Skills Stream
Your employer must nominate you for an occupation in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 at a salary meeting the SSIT. They must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor.
You need a minimum of 12 months relevant full-time work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field within the last 5 years. Part-time or casual work must equate to at least 12 months full-time. Experience through clinical placements, internships, or formal industry arrangements may count in certain occupations.
Your nominated salary must meet the SSIT, which is indexed annually. If your salary is AUD 250,000 or above, the AMSR requirement does not apply separately.
Do I need skill assessment for the 482 visa under the Specialist Skills stream? For some occupations, a mandatory skills assessment by TRA or VETASSESS is required.
If mandatory, the reference number must be included at lodgement — it cannot be added after. Where it is not mandatory, you must still provide comprehensive evidence of qualifications and work history.
You must meet minimum English language standards unless exempt. Results must not be more than 3 years old.
You and all family members aged 16 or over applying with you must meet health and character requirements.
You must work in your nominated occupation and only for your nominating employer (or associated entity in some cases). You must begin employment within 90 days of entering Australia or of your visa grant date.
You must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging Visa A, B or C at the time of application if you are inside Australia.
You and your family must obey all visa conditions and Australian laws. You must sign the Australian Values Statement if aged 18 or older.
Step-by-Step Process Specialist Skills Stream
Step 1: Before You Apply for 482 visa
- Confirm your employer has submitted or will submit their nomination and obtain the TRN
- Verify whether a skills assessment is mandatory for your occupation. If yes, commence it and obtain the reference number before lodging
- Organise English language test if required (results no more than 3 years old)
- Arrange health examinations (recommended before lodging to reduce delays)
- Confirm your passport is valid
- Appoint your migration agent using Form 956 if applicable
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
This is your 482 visa document checklist for the Specialist Skills stream:
- Current passport — photo page, personal details, issue and expiry dates
- Proof of name change if applicable
- TRN from your employer's nomination application
- Skills assessment reference number (if mandatory — must be in application at lodgement)
- For TRA assessments: relevant TRA skills assessment reference number
- For Project and Program Administrator or Specialist Manager NEC: VETASSESS skills assessment reference number
- Exemption evidence if claiming a mandatory skills assessment exemption
- Relevant qualification certificates — professional and educational
- Registration or licensing evidence if required in the relevant state/territory — must specify registration type and registering authority
- For medical practitioners: written evidence from the relevant medical board confirming qualifications are recognised and registration is confirmed or will be given
- Employment references — on employer letterhead, including: referee name, title, and contact details; your position; dates of service; covering a sufficient period to demonstrate skill level
- CV or résumé covering at least the last 5 years — full employment and educational history, dates, positions held, and referee contact details
- English language test results (no more than 3 years old) or evidence of exemption
- Evidence of adequate health insurance for you and all secondary applicants for full duration of stay
- AFP National Police Certificate (complete disclosure only — AFP only, not state/territory) if 12+ months in Australia in the last 10 years since age 16
- Overseas police certificates from every country where you spent 12+ months in the last 10 years since age 16
- Military service records or discharge papers if applicable
- Form 80 — if requested by the Department
- Form 1221 — if requested by the Department
- Partner's identity documents, character documents, and other relationship documents if applicable
- Marriage certificate OR de facto evidence: joint bank statements, bills in joint names, joint lease/mortgage, evidence of shared address
- Passport pages, birth certificate, adoption papers if applicable
- Character documents for children 16–17
- Form 1229 (parental consent) from any person with legal rights to decide where the child lives who is not applying — with photo ID of the signatory
- Identity documents, other relationship documents, character documents
- Form 47a — financial dependency proof (proof of shared residence, tax records, proof of current study)
- Form 956A — Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (for correspondence only)
- Form 956 — Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (for immigration assistance)
- Translate ALL non-English documents into English. In Australia: use a NAATI-accredited translator. Outside Australia: translator must include their full name, address, phone number, qualifications and experience in the language being translated — all in English
- Scan or photograph all documents in colour — must be clear and readable
- Multi-page documents must be saved as one file
- Attach each document only once, even if it supports more than one requirement
- Documents do not need to be certified
Step 3: Apply Online via ImmiAccount
- Log in or create an ImmiAccount
- Complete the application accurately — false information can result in refusal and a 10-year ban
- Attach all supporting documents
- Pay the visa application charge
- Note your TRN
- If applying in Australia: hold a substantive visa or Bridging Visa A, B or C
Step 4: After You Apply
- The employer must apply to sponsor you — the nomination must be approved before the visa can be granted
- Complete health examinations if not already done — valid for 12 months from examination date
- Provide police certificates if not already submitted
- Upload missing documents to ImmiAccount promptly
- If your current visa expires during processing: Bridging Visa A activates automatically — do NOT cancel your current visa
- Check travel conditions before departing Australia if on a Bridging Visa
- Notify the Department of any changes to your situation
Step 5: Visa Decision
You can be in or outside Australia when the decision is made.
- You can be in or outside Australia when the decision is made
- If granted: visa grant number, start date, and conditions provided in writing — keep a copy in Australia
- If refused: written reasons and review rights provided — application fee not refunded
- Check conditions using VEVO at any time
482 Visa Cost
- Item
- Amount
- Main applicant visa charge
- AUD 3,210.00
- Each dependent aged 18 or over
- AUD 3,210.00
- Each dependent under 18
- AUD 805.00
The 482 visa cost above is the government charge only. Use the visa pricing estimator on the Home Affairs website to calculate your full estimated cost.
482 Visa Processing Time
482 visa processing time varies for every application and depends on completeness, response speed, and current volumes. The processing time guide on Home Affairs is an indication based on recently decided applications only.
About This Visa
The Specialist Skills stream is a temporary visa with a stay of up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders). Your visa is digitally linked to your passport — no label is issued. If your visa expires and you want to continue with the same employer, they must submit a new nomination and you must apply for a new visa. If you lose your job, you have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor or make arrangements to leave.
Can I apply for PR on a 482 visa? Yes — after working with your sponsor for the required period, your employer may nominate you for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). This is not automatic. PR eligibility depends on your employer’s decision and your meeting all 186 criteria at the time of application.
Your Obligations on This Visa
- Meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws
- Begin employment within 90 days of arrival or visa grant date
- Work only in your nominated occupation and for your nominating employer
- Maintain adequate health insurance
- Notify the Department of any changes — contact details, employer, employment status, relationship status, birth of a child
- You are protected by Australian workplace law
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Registered migration agents with 7+ years of trusted experience
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
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Why Choose The Migration?
We understand that this is not just a visa. It is your career, your family, your future in Australia. We bring seven years of hands-on experience to every application we handle.
MARA Registered Agents
Authorized to advise and represent you with the Department
Occupation and Threshold Verification
We confirm your ANZSCO major group, salary threshold eligibility, and skills assessment requirements before anything is lodged
Full Application Management
Exvery document prepared, reviewed, and submitted with precision
Employer Coordination
|We align your visa and nomination applications to eliminate timing errors
PR Pathway Planning
Mapped from day one
RFI Management
We handle all Department information requests professionally
Your Questions Answered
What is a temporary skill shortage visa TSS subclass 482?
The TSS visa Australia has been renamed and restructured as the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, still numbered Subclass 482. The Specialist Skills stream targets senior and professional roles at the Specialist Skills Income Threshold — a salary-based gateway rather than an occupation list.
Which occupations qualify for the 482 visa Specialist Skills stream?
Any ANZSCO occupation in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 where the salary meets the SSIT. This includes managers, professionals, community service workers, clerical/administrative workers, and sales workers. Major Groups 3, 7, and 8 are excluded.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 482 Specialist Skills stream?
It depends on your occupation. For some roles it is mandatory; for others it is not — but you still need comprehensive evidence of qualifications and experience. We confirm your requirement before you apply.
What is the 482 visa cost?
AUD 3,210.00 for the main applicant and each dependent 18+. AUD 805.00 per dependent under 18. Additional costs for health exams, police certificates, English tests, and biometrics.
Can I apply for PR on a 482 visa?
Yes, via the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after meeting the required work period. Not automatic — depends on employer sponsorship and individual eligibility at the time.
What Is Specialist Skills Stream Sponsorship?
As a Specialist Skills stream sponsor, you can nominate a worker in any ANZSCO occupation in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 — provided the nominated salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT). Unlike the Core Skills stream, you are not limited to occupations on a specific list. This provides significantly more flexibility when hiring senior management, professional specialists, or highly experienced industry figures.
The Global Talent Scheme (GTS) operates separately. It is a government pilot for employers who need to fill genuinely extraordinary positions that cannot be filled through this stream or any other standard visa program. If you believe your need exceeds what the Specialist Skills stream can accommodate, we can advise on GTS eligibility.
What Your Sponsored Worker Can Do
- Live, work, and study in Australia
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as they want while the visa is valid
- Include family members in the visa application
- Work toward permanent residency via Subclass 186 after the required period
Sponsor Eligibility, What You Must Meet
You must be, or have applied to become, a Standard Business Sponsor. Accredited Sponsor status gives you priority processing on all nomination and visa applications — we recommend accreditation for businesses with regular overseas recruitment needs.
The position must fall within ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 and the nominated salary must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold. Major Groups 3, 7, and 8 are not eligible. Caveats apply to some occupations even within eligible major groups — we check your specific position before submission.
You must conduct Labour Market Testing to demonstrate you cannot find a suitable Australian worker — unless an ITO exemption applies. Exemptions exist for citizens of specified countries (China, Japan, Thailand, Chile, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore) and other defined circumstances including WTO member country workers employed in the role for 2+ years and employees of associated overseas entities.
If the salary is below AUD 250,000, you must pay at least the AMSR at or above the SSIT. Where no equivalent Australian worker exists, or the salary includes significant allowances or non-monetary benefits, a detailed written explanation of how the AMSR was determined is required.
The position must genuinely exist, be consistent with your business scale and type, not have been created solely to facilitate migration, and be full-time — generally 38 hours per week or 32–45 hours under an industry award consistent with NES.
Unless exempt, a signed and dated written employment contract is required. Australian business sponsors: nominee may work for the business or an associated entity. Overseas business sponsors: nominee works only for your specific business.
Recruitment practices must be non-discriminatory. Employment conditions must not be less favourable than those applying to Australian workers in equivalent roles at the same location.
No adverse information about your business or associated persons that has not been reasonably disregarded by the Department.
Step-by-Step Nomination Process
Step 1: Pre-Nomination Checks
- Confirm nominee’s ANZSCO occupation falls in an eligible Major Group (1, 2, 4, 5 or 6)
- Verify the nominated salary meets the SSIT
- Determine whether LMT is required or an exemption applies
- Conduct LMT if required in compliance with the legislative instrument
- Determine AMSR and prepare justification documentation
Step 2: Gather Your Nomination Documents
You need to prove two things: your status and your relationship.
- Full name, date of birth, TRN/Application ID/Visa Grant Number for existing visas
- Work location postcode (actual location — not head office if different)
- Names of all known accompanying family members
- If nominee already holds 457/482 visa and family member will not be included: written reasons
- Signed and dated by both parties (unless occupation is exempt)
- Evidence of AMSR at or above SSIT
- If salary includes allowances or non-monetary benefits: written explanation of how AMSR was determined
- If salary is at lower end of a range: detailed statement explaining why
- If no equivalent Australian worker to compare against: detailed AMSR determination statement
- Advertising records (platform, dates, content)
- Record of applications, assessments, and reasons candidates were not suitable
- Evidence LMT was conducted in the required period before lodgement
- Passport/citizenship certificate for nominees from China, Japan, Thailand, Chile, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore
- Permanent resident evidence for nominees from Chile, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore
- For associated entity employees: employment reference on letterhead, payslips/contract, company registration showing association (associated entity must be in: Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam)
- For company operations managers: organisational chart and duty statement
- For WTO country citizens in the role for 2+ years: passport copy and employment contract/letter of offer with start date
- Duty statement (aligned with ANZSCO but not copied directly)
- Organisational chart with full names and visa details of current employees
- Description of your business and how the position fits within it
- Evidence position existed before lodgement OR expansion plans that created it
- Information about who previously performed the tasks
- Evidence of transparent recruitment — number of candidates interviewed and reasons for not selecting
- For chef/cook: position description, menu, website link, floor plan, premise photographs, food preparation details, table service and in-restaurant dining volume details
Step 3: Submit Your Nomination in ImmiAccount
- Log in or create ImmiAccount
- Attach all required documents
- Pay AUD 330.00 nomination fee — ImmiAccount calculates the SAF levy
- Note your TRN for the nominee
Step 4: After Lodgement
- Attach any new information or changes via ImmiAccount or upload Form 1022
- Respond promptly to any Department requests
- To withdraw: email the processing area directly — removing from ImmiAccount is not a withdrawal
- Nomination fee is generally not refunded after approval
Step 5: Nomination Outcome
- Approved: receive nomination approval number and letter — valid for 12 months from approval date
- Refused: receive written reasons and review rights
- Nominee must begin employment within 90 days of entering Australia or their visa grant date
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Cost and Processing Time
- Item
- Amount
- Nomination fee
- Calculated by ImmiAccount
- SAF levy
- Calculated by ImmiAccount based on turnover and nomination period
- Nominee visa charge (main applicant)
- AUD 3,210.00
- Nominee dependent 18+
- AUD 3,210.00
- Nominee dependent under 18
- AUD 805.00
482 visa processing time for nominations depends on completeness and current volumes. Accredited Sponsors receive priority. The processing time guide is indicative only.
About This Visa
Your nominated worker can stay for up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders). Your nomination lasts 12 months from approval — or ends earlier if the nominee’s visa is granted, the nomination is withdrawn, or your sponsorship status changes. Sponsorship obligations continue for as long as the nominee holds a valid 482 visa and works for you.
Your Ongoing Obligations as a Sponsor
- Ensure nominee starts within 90 days of visa grant or arrival
- Notify Department if employment is terminated or nominee ceases working for you
- Notify Department of changes to hours, duties, or pay
- Notify Department when visa is expiring
- Comply with all Australian workplace law obligations
- These obligations apply even if you use a migration agent
Why Choose The Migration for Specialist Skills Sponsorship?
We are compliance partners for your workforce — not just visa processors. We protect your business from costly nomination errors, LMT deficiencies, and ongoing obligation breaches.
MARA Registered Agents
Authorised to handle nominations and communicate with the Department
SSIT Compliance
We verify your position meets the threshold and document AMSR determination correctly
LMT Compliance and ITO Advice
We design LMT that meets the legislative instrument and advise on applicable exemptions
Genuine Position Documentation
Robust evidence prepared to demonstrate your position is real and necessary
Accreditation Pathway
We support Accredited Sponsor applications for priority processing
Ongoing Compliance
We monitor your obligations and respond with you to Department enquiries
FAQs for Sponsors
What is the difference between the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams for sponsors?
The Core Skills stream requires the occupation to be on the CSOL and meet the Core Skills Income Threshold. The Specialist Skills stream covers ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 at the higher Specialist Skills Income Threshold — offering more flexibility for senior and specialised roles not restricted to a specific list.
What is the Global Talent Scheme?
The GTS is a separate government pilot for employers who need to fill extraordinary positions genuinely unreachable through standard visa programs including this stream. It requires its own specific application process. We assess GTS eligibility separately.
What is the 482 visa cost for Specialist Skills nominations?
Nomination fee is AUD 330.00 plus the SAF levy. The nominee pays the visa application charge of AUD 3,210.00 (main applicant). The SAF levy cannot be passed on to the nominee.
Can I nominate the same worker for multiple roles?
Each nomination covers one specific position. If the role changes significantly, a new nomination may be required. We advise on what constitutes a material change requiring re-nomination.
Your Skills Deserve Permanent Recognition
Senior role, qualifying salary, Australian employer ready to sponsor you? Let’s confirm your eligibility and get things moving.
