Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa:
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482 Visa Streams
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) is designed for skilled professionals to address critical skill shortages in Australia’s workforce. The visa offers three streams tailored to meet different employment scenarios:
1. Core Skills Stream
2. Specialist Skills Stream, and
3. Labour Agreement Stream
Below is an updated overview, incorporating detailed eligibility and requirements.
Employer
The business seeking to employ you must:
- be actively and lawfully operating in Australia; OR
- be actively and lawfully operating overseas (not in Australia), and be bringing the visa applicant to Australia either to establish a business operation, or to fulfil contractual obligations).
In addition, there must not be any adverse information known that is relevant to the business’s suitability as an approved sponsor.
NOTE: Adverse information includes (but is not limited to) contraventions of Commonwealth, State or Territory Laws relating to matters such as immigration, industrial relations or taxation; pending investigations or disciplinary actions; being the subject of administrative action for possible contravention of the law; insolvency; or having provided bogus documents or false/misleading information to the Department of Home Affairs (the DOHA).
Accreditation
Certain businesses may be able to apply for accredited status, which enables them to receive priority processing for all SID nomination and visa applications.
Nominated Position
The position to be filled must:
- be a genuine, full-time position
- be in the sponsor’s business (or that of an associated entity), and be subject to a written contract of employment (unless exempt from this requirement)
NOTE: If the sponsor is located overseas, the position must be located in the sponsor’s business
- have a salary that is:
- at least $73,150 per year (excluding any non-monetary benefits) for the Core Skills Stream or at least $135,000 per year for the Specialist Skills Stream and regardless of the stream;
- at least the annual market salary rate (AMSR) for your nominated occupation
NOTE: the AMSR for your nominated occupation (excluding non-monetary benefits) must also be no less than $73,150 per year. The AMSR is the salary that an Australian earns (or would earn) for performing equivalent work on a full-time basis for a year in the same workplace at the same location. You will be exempt from this requirement if your salary is more than $250,000 per year.
- be subject to conditions of employment (other than earnings) that are no worse than those that apply (or would apply) to Australians performing equivalent work in the same location
- have been subjected to ‘Labour Market Testing’ (LMT) i.e. the sponsor must have attempted to recruit a suitably skilled and qualified Australian to work in the nominated position. This requires the sponsor to provide evidence that it has advertised the position within the last 4 months, for a period of at least 4 weeks
NOTE: Alternative LMT criteria apply in certain circumstances. Evidence provided in support of LMT must meet strict criteria regarding the location, type, and content of the advertisement. Sponsors are not required to undertake LMT if an International Trade Obligation applies. Book a consultation for further information regarding the type of LMT required for your nomination.
Stream 1: Core Skills Stream
This stream is for occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and addresses medium to long-term skill shortages.
Key Features
- Work Duration: Work in Australia for up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders).
- Travel: Unlimited travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Eligible applicants may transition to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Eligibility Criteria
- Nomination:
Be nominated by an approved employer for an occupation on the CSOL. - Skills and Experience:
- At least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field within the past 5 years.
- Skills and qualifications that match the requirements for the nominated position.
- Some applicants may need to complete a mandatory skills assessment prior to lodging their visa application.
- English Proficiency:
Meet one of the following:IELTS: At least 5 in each band.
OET: At least B in each band.
TOEFL iBT: At least 35 overall (minimum scores of 4 for Listening and Reading, and 14 for Writing and Speaking).
PTE Academic: At least 36 in each band.
CAE: At least 154 in each band.Tests must have been completed within the past three years. Contact us for exemption details.
Exemptions apply: Such as applicants with five years of full-time study in English may be exempt.
Additional Requirements
- Health and Character:
Meet health and character requirements. - Health Insurance:
Maintain adequate health insurance during your stay. - Licensing or Registration:
Fulfill any licensing, registration, or professional membership requirements relevant to your occupation.
Stream 2: Specialist Skills Stream
This stream targets highly skilled professionals whose roles meet specific salary thresholds and classifications.
Key Features
- Work for Highly Specialized Roles:
Occupations must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold and exclude certain ANZSCO classifications (Major Groups 3, 7, or 8). - Duration:
Work in Australia for the period specified in your nomination, up to 4 years. - Pathway to Permanent Residency:
Eligible for permanent residency under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Eligibility Criteria
- Nomination:
Be nominated for a role meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold. - Skills and Experience:
- At least 1 year of full-time experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.
- Skills that match the position requirements.
- Skills Assessment:
Some applicants may need to complete a mandatory skills assessment. - English Proficiency:
Meet the same English language requirements as the Core Skills Stream above.
Additional Requirements
- Health and Character:
Fulfill health and character criteria. - Health Insurance:
Maintain adequate health insurance during your stay. - Licensing or Registration:
Obtain any necessary licensing or professional memberships for your role.
Stream 3: Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is for skilled workers employed under a labour agreement between the Australian Government and an approved sponsor, allowing flexibility for specific business or industry needs.
Key Features
- Work Under Labour Agreements:
Occupations and terms are defined by the labour agreement. - Flexible Requirements:
English proficiency, skills, and experience requirements may vary based on the labour agreement. - Pathway to Permanent Residency:
Permanent residency may be available depending on the agreement.
Eligibility Criteria
- Labour Agreement:
Be nominated for an occupation covered by a labour agreement between your sponsor and the government. - Skills and Experience:
- At least 1 year of full-time relevant work experience in the nominated occupation within the past 5 years.
- Skills that match the requirements of the labour agreement.
- English Proficiency:
Meet the English requirements specified in the labour agreement, generally equivalent to the Core Skills Stream requirements unless concessions apply.
Additional Requirements
- Health and Character:
Meet health and character requirements. - Health Insurance:
Maintain adequate health insurance during your stay. - Australian Values Statement:
Confirm your commitment to Australian laws and values by signing the Australian Values Statement.
General Information for All 482 Visa Streams
Government Application Costs
- Primary Applicant: AUD 3,115.00
- Dependants (18 years or older): AUD 3,115.00 each
- Dependants (under 18 years): AUD 780.00 each
Additional costs may include English tests, health checks, police certificates, biometrics, and skills assessments.
Processing Times
- Varies based on the complexity of your application, supporting documentation, and external checks for health, character, and security.
Your Obligations
- Begin employment within 90 days of visa grant or arrival in Australia.
- Work only in your nominated occupation and for your sponsoring employer or associated entity (if applicable).
- Maintain adequate health insurance and meet all visa conditions.
Step 1: Consultation
The first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents. During the consultation, we will assess your situation and your background. We may also assess your employer and their organisation to determine their eligibility to nominate you in the position.
We offer convenient video consultations.
We can also schedule a time to contact your employer to discuss any queries that they may have.
We will send you and/or your employer a fixed fee quote following the consultation which breaks down the applicable fees for each step.
We offer split fee payments to assist you financially during the preparation stages of your visa journey.
Step 2: Eligibility Assessment
Once you engage in our services, we will conduct an initial assessment of your eligibility for this visa. This involves reviewing your qualifications, work experience, English language and other circumstances, to establish whether or not you are likely to meet the relevant requirements.
As part of this initial eligibility assessment, we will consider which occupation(s) you are likely to be able to nominate, and whether or not you are potentially eligible for a positive skills assessment (if required) from the relevant assessing authority for that occupation.
We will then provide you with informed and comprehensive advice about your ability to meet the minimum standards that the DOHA requires migrants to fulfil in order to be granted this visa.
Note: Our initial assessment of your eligibility does not guarantee that you will (or will not) in fact obtain a positive skills assessment (if required).
Step 3: Skills Assessment
Should our initial assessment indicate that you are required to obtain a positive skills assessment, we will prepare your skills assessment application.
For each skilled occupation listed on the MLTSSL, the DOHA has specified an assessing authority that may carry out skills assessments for that occupation. Only a skills assessment conducted by the relevant assessing authority will be accepted by the DOHA.
We will provide you with a tailored list of the information and documents required to support your application. When you have provided the necessary details and documents, along with the required assessment fee, we will lodge your application with the applicable skills assessing authority.
Step 4: Sponsorship Application
The application for standard business sponsorship is lodged with the DOHA on behalf of your employer. The main criterion is that your employer’s business is actively and lawfully operating in Australia or overseas. An approved sponsorship is valid for five years. During this time, the business can nominate overseas workers for subclass 482 visas.
We will need to assess if your employer is already an approved sponsor or not prior to providing an exact quote.
Sponsorship Obligations
Businesses that are approved to sponsor overseas workers for 482 visas MUST comply with certain obligations imposed by the DOHA. These obligations are designed to protect overseas workers from exploitation, and to ensure that the visa program is used correctly.
In particular, please note that a business approved as a standard business sponsor must not attempt to recover any of the costs associated with applying for sponsorship or nominations (including migration agent costs and Skilling Australians Fund levies), or any costs directly associated with recruiting overseas workers for nominated positions. Approved sponsors may however be able to recover GST and/or claim a tax deduction for payment of fees and costs associated with applying for sponsorship, and we recommend that independent tax advice is sought in this regard if relevant.
Approved sponsors must also maintain certain records relating to their sponsorship and subclass 482 (and 457) nominations. This includes records substantiating the sponsor’s annual turnover, as well as records confirming how, and by whom, each Skilling Australians Fund levy was paid. Such records must be provided to the DOHA upon request.
Step 5: Nomination Application
The nomination application is lodged with the DOHA on behalf of your employer, either at the same time as the sponsorship application, or during the sponsorship validity period. The main criterion is that the nomination meets the requirements listed above.
Skilling Australians Fund Levy
Sponsors must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy for EACH subclass 482 nomination lodged with the DOHA. The amount payable varies based on the sponsor’s annual turnover and the visa applicant’s proposed period of stay in Australia:
- For sponsors with an annual turnover of LESS THAN AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$1,200 for each year of the nominated visa applicant’s proposed period of stay i.e. AU$1,200 for a 1-year visa; AU$2,400 for a 2-year visa and so forth.
- For sponsors with an annual turnover of AT LEAST AU$10 million, the SAF levy is AU$1,800 for each year of the nominated visa applicant’s proposed period of stay i.e. AU$1,800 for a 1-year visa; AU$3,600 for a 2-year visa and so forth.
The SAF levy must be paid upfront, at the time that the nomination is lodged.
Step 6: Visa Application
Your visa application is lodged with the DOHA either at the same time as the nomination application, or before the nomination expires (generally within 12 months of approval). The main criterion is that you fulfil the requirements listed above.
You may generally be in or outside Australia when applying for this visa. However, you may be ineligible to apply in Australia if you do not hold the required type of visa or have previously been refused a visa (or had your visa cancelled). Book a consultation for further details.
Once the DOHA has approved all three applications, you will be granted a subclass 482 – visa. Your visa will be valid for up to four years, with the exact term dependent upon your sponsor’s requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: We estimate that it may take several weeks to prepare and lodge your application, with the time taken largely dependent on how promptly you (and your sponsor, if applicable) provide us with the necessary supporting information and documents.
The time that it takes the DOHA to process your application is dependent upon its processing time service standards, and may also vary due to a number of other factors, including the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors and processing priorities. Book a consultation for current information regarding likely processing timeframes for this type of application.
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How it works
Consultation
Engagement
Preparation & Lodgement
How can Migration Unity help you?
Eligibility Assessment:
Determine your eligibility for a 482 visa with an assessment from our registered migration agents.
Expert advice:
Receive professional advice on your migration options in accordance with the Migration Act and Regulations.
Strengthen your case:
Get recommendations, guidance, and support to strengthen your application and increase your chances of success.
Templates:
Provide you and your partner with our statutory declaration templates to assist you in explaining your relationship timeline and facts.
Ongoing assistance:
Receive support and guidance throughout the entire process to ensure your evidence meets the legal requirements.
Accessibility and Simplicity:
Access our secure online portal to manage your application from anywhere in the world.
Case Management:
Receive ongoing case management from a team of experienced professionals to ensure your application progresses smoothly, we liaise with the Department on your behalf.
Review and checking:
Receive a full review and final check of all supporting evidence prior to lodgement to ensure everything meets the legal requirements.
Applications and Forms:
Your registered migration agent will complete all applications and forms on behalf of you and your partner.
Clarifying your matter to the Case Officer:
Receive legally written submissions by our expert professionals in Australian immigration law to support your application when if required.
Stay Compliant:
Receive an in-depth explanation of things to look out for such as enter by dates, must not arrive after dates and travel return facilities upon visa grant.
Bridging visas:
Ensure you remain lawfully onshore whilst awaiting a decision on your application.
Post grant support:
Receive ongoing support, including record-keeping and reminders, to ensure compliance with the relevant criteria.
Next steps: Planning your Australian permanent residency and citizenship, our team can help you and your loved ones to secure a long term and stable future.
…put simply we look after the entire process for you!
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