482 Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa – Employer-Sponsored
Work Pathway

Application Process for the Skills In Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Step 1 – Sponsorship application

• the employer must apply to become a standard business sponsor

Step 2 – Nomination application

• the employer nominates the applicant to fill a full-time position

Step 3 – Skills assessment application (if applicable)

• the applicant submits application for skills assessment

Step 4 – Visa application

• the applicant lodges the Subclass 482 visa application

Eligibility Criteria for the Skills In Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

For employer:

For applicant:

Pathway to Permanent Residency

You will become eligible for permanent residency (Subclass 186 visa) if:

• You have worked in the same occupation for 2 years on Subclass 482 TSS visa.

• You have competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent) – exemptions apply.

• You are under 45 years old when you apply for PR.

Location

Applicants may be in or outside Australia at the time of application and visa grant (exception applies).

Benefits

With this visa, you may:

• migrate to Australia together with your family

• apply for permanent residency if eligible

• potentially bring your extended family members to Australia permanently on parent visa or visa intended for other relatives

• access your superannuation after you have departed Australia (if paid $450 or more before tax in a month)

• stay in Australia for a number of years without having to leave

• travel overseas and back to Australia for any purposes (e.g. overseas holiday, visiting family and/or attending family matters in home country)

• study in Australia without any limitations

• attend free English language course provided by Australian government

Application Fees​

You may include your family in the application so your family can migrate to Australia together.

• Application fee for sponsorship: $420

• Application fee for nomination: $330

• Skilling Australian Fund levy:

  • $1200 per year per nominee (if annual turnover is less than $10m); or

  • $1800 per year per nominee (if annual turnover is over $10m)

• Application fee for visa (medium-term stream):

  • Main applicant: $2770

  • Each secondary applicant aged 18 or over: $2770

  • Each secondary applicant under 18: $695

• Application fee for visa (short-term stream): 

  • Main applicant: $1330

  • Each secondary applicant aged 18 or over: $1330

  • Each secondary applicant under 18: $335

Please note: you may incur third-party charges, for example, for translation, skills assessment, English test, police certificate and health exam.

Processing Time​

Kindly note the processing time constantly varies. Please contact us for update.

Short-term stream:​

• 75% of applications: 5 months

• 90% of applications: 14 months

Medium-term stream:​

• 75% of applications: 3 months

• 90% of applications: 7 months

Labour Agreement stream:​

• 75% of applications: 71 days

• 90% of applications: 6 months

Visa Conditions

• Subclass 482 TSS visa holders can only work for the employer that sponsored him/her.
• Subclass 482 TSS visa holders must start working for the employer within:
  • 90 days after the holder’s arrival in Australia if the holder was outside Australia when the visa was granted; or
  • 90 days after the grant of Subclass TSS 482 visa if the holder was in Australia when the visa was granted
• Subclass 482 TSS visa holders can switch employer while on Subclass TSS 482 visa, but must not be unemployed for over 60 days in between.
• If the subclass 482 TSS visa holder is required to hold a licence, registration or membership that is mandatory to perform the work, the holder must have it within:
  • 90 days after the holder arrives in Australia if the holder was outside Australia when the Subclass 482 TSS visa was granted; or
  • 90 days after the Subclass 482 TSS visa was granted if the holder was in Australia when the visa was granted
• Subclass 482 TSS visa holders must maintain valid health insurance.

Your Work Rights

The Department is working with the Fair Work Ombudsman to help employees and employers understand and follow Australian Workplace laws.

Information on pay rates, shift calculations, leave arrangements and notice and redundancy entitlements is in the Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT).

The Fair Work Ombudsman website has more information on workplace rights and entitlements for visa holders and migrant workers.

482 Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa

For many applicants, the 482 visa is not simply a short-term work arrangement. When structured correctly, it can form part of a longer-term strategy that may lead to permanent residency. Whether this is realistic depends on factors that need to be considered before the application is lodged, not after it is approved.

How the 482 Visa Works in Practice

There are several key elements:

• The employer must be an approved sponsor
• The nominated position must meet occupation and market salary requirements
• The applicant must meet skill, experience, English, health, and character criteria

A common reason for refusal or delay is misalignment between the role, the business, and the applicant’s background. Even where all parties appear eligible, inconsistencies in duties, salary, or documentation can undermine the application.

Short-Term and Medium-Term 482 Streams

Many applicants assume that holding a 482 visa will automatically lead to permanent residency. In reality, outcomes depend on occupation lists, ongoing employment with the sponsoring employer, employer compliance, and future policy settings. These considerations should be assessed at the outset, rather than once the visa is already in place.

FAQ’s