Skills in Demand visa
Work in Australia temporarily for an approved employer sponsor in an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List.
Overview
Stay period
Up to 4 years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
Cost
From AUD 3,210 for the main applicant and each dependant 18 years or over. AUD 805 for each dependant under 18.
Work rights
Work in Australia for the approved sponsor in the nominated occupation. In some cases, work may be for an associated entity of the sponsor.
Last checked
25 April 2026
Key requirements
- •Be nominated by an approved sponsor
- •Be nominated to work in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List
- •Be paid the Annual Market Salary Rate and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold
- •Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field
- •Have a relevant skills assessment if required for the occupation
- •Work only for the sponsor or associated entity unless exempt
- •Meet minimum English language proficiency standards unless exempt
- •Hold an appropriate visa if applying in Australia
- •Have complied with previous visa conditions if applying in Australia
- •Maintain adequate health insurance
- •Meet health and character requirements
- •Have no relevant history of paying for visa sponsorship
- •Not have a visa cancellation or refusal history that affects eligibility
- •Have no debt to the Australian Government
- •Sign the Australian Values Statement if 18 or older
Documents required
- •Valid passport
- •Employer nomination Transaction Reference Number
- •Identity documents
- •Proof of change of name if applicable
- •Skills assessment reference number if mandatory
- •Evidence of skills, qualifications and employment background
- •Relevant qualification certificates
- •Registration or licensing evidence if required
- •Curriculum vitae or resume
- •Employment references
- •English language proficiency documents
- •Evidence of adequate health insurance
- •Health examination results if required
- •Australian police certificate if required
- •Overseas police certificates if required
- •Military service records if applicable
- •Partner documents if applicable
- •Dependant documents if applicable
- •Parental responsibility documents for dependants under 18 if applicable
- •Translated documents for non-English documents
Application steps
- 1Before applying, arrange nomination, passport, skills assessment if required, English test if required, and health exams if needed
- 2Gather identity, skills, occupation, English, health insurance, character and family documents
- 3Apply online through ImmiAccount
- 4Attach documents and pay the application fee
- 5Respond to requests for more information if requested
- 6Complete health exams or biometrics if requested
- 7Stay lawful in Australia while the application is processed
- 8Wait for written visa outcome
Visa conditions
- •Work in the nominated occupation
- •Usually work only for the sponsoring business
- •If sponsored by an Australian business, may work for that business or an associated entity
- •Begin employment within 90 days of entering Australia or within 90 days of visa grant if granted in Australia
- •Maintain adequate health insurance
- •Obey Australian laws
- •Travel to and from Australia while the visa is valid
- •Time outside Australia does not extend the visa
- •Notify the Department of changes such as contact details, employer, employment status, relationship status or birth of a child
Risk flags
- !Application cannot be granted unless the employer nomination is approved
- !Application may be delayed or refused if documents are incomplete
- !Mandatory skills assessment must be commenced before application if required, otherwise the application may be invalid
- !False or misleading information may lead to refusal and future visa consequences
- !Failure to meet English requirements may affect eligibility
- !Failure to maintain adequate health insurance may breach visa conditions
- !Previous visa refusals or cancellations may affect eligibility
- !Paying for visa sponsorship conduct in the previous 3 years may affect eligibility
- !If employment ends, the visa holder may need to find a new employer or make arrangements to leave Australia
English language requirements
Primary visa applicants for the Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 must demonstrate minimum English language proficiency unless an exemption applies.
Test validity: English tests must be taken within 3 years before applying.
Exemptions
- •Passport holder from Canada
- •Passport holder from New Zealand
- •Passport holder from the Republic of Ireland
- •Passport holder from the United Kingdom
- •Passport holder from the United States of America
- •Completed at least 5 years of full-time study in at least a secondary level institution where most classes were in English
- •Nominated occupation will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country
- •Nominated occupation will be performed at an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan
- •Nominated occupation requires licence, registration or membership and the applicant proved equal or higher English proficiency to obtain it
- •Applicant is an employee of an overseas business, the business or associated entity nominated them to work in Australia, and they will receive guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD 96,400
Online tests not accepted
The Department does not accept evidence from English language tests where the entire test is delivered online, remote-proctored, or at-home.
- !CELPIP Online
- !IELTS Online
- !LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- !OET@Home
- !MET Digital taken at-home
- !TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Tests taken on or after 13 September 2025
If the test offers a single skill retake option, the result for that skill may be accepted.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MET | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 |
| OET | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
| For tests taken on or after 21 January 2026, applicant must select Taking TOEFL for Australia during registration. | ||||
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
| CELPIP General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS Academic | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 |
| IELTS General Training | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Tests taken before 13 September 2025
Must be taken in a single sitting.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OET | B | B | B | B |
| IELTS | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Overall: 5 | ||||
| TOEFL iBT | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
| TOEFL iBT tests from 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024 were not approved for Australian visa purposes. | ||||
| Overall: 35 | ||||
| C1 Advanced | 154 | 154 | 154 | 154 |
| From 12 February 2024, only Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test results are accepted. Tests before 12 February 2024 within validity periods may still be accepted. | ||||
| Overall: 154 | ||||
| PTE Academic | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Overall: 36 | ||||
Labour Agreement stream: For Labour Agreement stream, English requirements may be specified in the labour agreement between the employer and the Commonwealth.
Financial requirements
Notes
- •The provided source text refers to salary requirements rather than personal financial capacity.
- •The applicant must be paid the Annual Market Salary Rate and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold.
- •Exact income threshold amount should be reviewed against the official skilled visa income threshold source.
Status
not primary requirement in source text
Family members
Notes
- •
Family members may be included as secondary applicants depending on whether the applicant currently or previously held subclass 457 or 482.
- •
Secondary applicants must meet health and character requirements.
- •
Family members cannot be added after the application is submitted, but may apply later as subsequent entrants if eligible.
Can Include Family
Yes
Source snapshots
This page provides general information only. It does not provide migration advice or legal advice. For personalised advice, speak with a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.