482 Visa Complete Guide
The Skills in Demand visa decoded — how employer sponsorship works, the streams, and the realistic road from a 482 to permanent residency.
The 482 (Skills in Demand) lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled worker for a temporary role they can’t fill locally. It’s not points-tested — it’s relationship- and role-driven — and for many it’s the most direct line to permanent residency through the 186, provided the job and employer qualify.
- Requires an approved sponsoring employer and a genuine, eligible position.
- Streamed (e.g. Core Skills and Specialist Skills) with different thresholds.
- Not points-tested — eligibility turns on the occupation, salary and employer.
- A well-structured 482 is often a stepping stone to the 186 (permanent).
Is the 482 your route?
Tap what fits.
Three things have to line up
A 482 lives or dies on three elements: an approved employer willing to sponsor, an eligible occupation, and a role that meets the salary and genuine-need requirements. Unlike skilled migration, your points are irrelevant — what matters is the job and the sponsor.
The visa is streamed, with different requirements depending on the role’s skill and salary level. The reforms that replaced the old TSS with the Skills in Demand framework changed thresholds and stream structure, which is why current advice matters here more than older guides.
482 vs 186 — temporary vs permanent
The Skills in Demand (482) visa was reformed from the former TSS, changing streams, occupation lists and salary thresholds. Always confirm the current eligibility, streams and salary figures with the Department of Home Affairs before relying on any number.
Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand (482) →From offer to 482 (to PR)
Employer becomes a sponsor
The employer obtains/holds standard business sponsorship and nominates the position.
Nomination of the role
The eligible occupation and role are nominated, meeting salary and genuine-need tests.
You lodge the 482
With skills, English, health and character met, you lodge and (on grant) begin work.
Transition to 186 PR
After meeting the requirements, move to the 186 for permanent residency.
Ask MIOS about the 482
Context-aware, supervised by a MARA-registered agent.
482 — common questions
No. The 482 is employer-sponsored and depends on the occupation, the role’s salary and genuine need, and an approved sponsor — not on a points score. This makes it a strong alternative when points routes aren’t competitive.
It can. Many holders transition to permanent residency via the 186 after meeting the requirements. The 482 itself is temporary, so plan the PR step deliberately rather than assuming it’s automatic.
The Skills in Demand framework replaced the former TSS, restructuring streams, lists and salary thresholds. Because settings shifted, rely on current departmental information rather than older 482/TSS guides.
Turn this intelligence into your plan.
Have a registered agent confirm whether your role, salary and employer qualify for a 482 — and map the cleanest route from sponsorship to permanent residency.