482 visa requirements fall into two separate categories that people often mix together, and that mix-up is where many delays start. There are 482 visa eligibility requirements the applicant has to meet and 482 visa employer requirements the sponsoring business has to satisfy before a visa can be granted. This guide separates the two so you can check exactly where you stand, whether you are the person hoping to work in Australia or an employer looking to sponsor a skilled worker.
The Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024. Some of the underlying rules carried across, but the streams, salary thresholds and occupation arrangements changed, so applicants and employers who previously checked their eligibility under the TSS system should review the current Skills in Demand visa requirements before proceeding.
For applicants and sponsoring businesses in Perth WA, the same federal subclass 482 requirements apply as elsewhere in Australia, although the nominated role, local market salary and business circumstances can affect the nomination.
The Three 482 Visa Application Stages You Need to Understand First
Before getting into the checklist, it helps to know that a 482 visa involves three connected stages rather than just one application.
Stage one is sponsorship, where the employer applies to become an approved Standard Business Sponsor.
Stage two is nomination, where the employer nominates a specific position and occupation for the overseas worker.
Stage three is the subclass 482 visa application, lodged by the worker.
Each stage has its own requirements. Missing information at the sponsorship or nomination stage can affect the visa application even if the applicant otherwise meets the 482 visa requirements Australia applies to their circumstances.
482 Visa Requirements for Applicants
These are the main requirements the overseas worker needs to meet.
A genuine job offer from an approved or approving sponsor. You cannot generally apply for a 482 visa independently without an Australian employer sponsoring and nominating you for an eligible skilled position. The employer needs to meet the applicable 482 visa sponsorship requirements and be approved or seeking approval as a Standard Business Sponsor.
An occupation that meets the relevant stream requirements. For the Core Skills stream, the nominated occupation generally needs to be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The Specialist Skills stream operates under different occupation and salary rules, while the Labour Agreement stream applies where an employer has an appropriate labour agreement with the Australian Government.
482 Visa Work Experience Requirements
Relevant skills, qualifications and work experience. Applicants generally need at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field, as well as the skills required to perform the nominated role. Evidence may include qualifications, a detailed CV, employment contracts, payslips and reference letters from previous employers.
The 482 visa work experience requirements are important because simply having a qualification does not automatically establish that an applicant has the practical background required for the nominated occupation.
482 Visa Skills Assessment Requirements
A skills assessment, where required. Not every subclass 482 applicant needs a formal skills assessment. However, particular occupations, nationalities or circumstances may trigger mandatory 482 visa skills assessment requirements through an approved assessing authority.
Applicants should check their nominated occupation early rather than assuming that their qualifications alone are sufficient.
482 Visa English Requirements
English language proficiency, unless an exemption applies. Applicants must meet the relevant 482 visa English requirements for their stream unless they qualify for an exemption. Evidence may be provided through an approved English language test such as IELTS, PTE Academic or another test accepted by the Department of Home Affairs.
Passport holders from certain English-speaking countries may be exempt where the applicable criteria are satisfied.
Health requirements. Applicants may be asked to complete health examinations through an approved panel physician. The examinations required depend on individual circumstances and may include a chest x-ray or other tests.
Character requirements. Police clearance certificates and other character documents may be required depending on the countries in which the applicant has lived and their personal history.
Previous visa history. Previous visa refusals, cancellations or other immigration issues should be disclosed accurately. Certain past immigration circumstances can affect eligibility or require additional consideration.
No general age limit. Unlike some points-tested or permanent skilled migration visas, the Skills in Demand visa does not impose a general maximum age requirement on applicants.
What Documents Are Required for a 482 Visa?
The exact 482 visa documents required depend on the applicant, occupation and stream, but commonly requested evidence can include:
- Passport and identity documents
- Employment references
- Detailed CV or résumé
- Qualifications and academic records
- Evidence of relevant work experience
- English language test results, where required
- Skills assessment evidence, where required
- Professional registration or licensing, where applicable
- Police clearance certificates
- Health examination results where requested
- Evidence relating to the nominated employment
Supporting documents should be consistent with the information provided in the employer’s nomination.
482 Visa Employer and Sponsorship Requirements
The employer’s obligations are just as important as the applicant’s eligibility. A strong applicant cannot receive the visa if the sponsorship and nomination requirements are not properly satisfied.
Standard Business Sponsor approval. The sponsoring business must meet the relevant 482 visa sponsorship requirements and demonstrate that it is lawfully operating. The Department of Home Affairs can also consider compliance history and adverse information when assessing sponsorship eligibility.
A genuine nominated position. The position must represent a genuine employment need within the sponsoring business and must be appropriate to the business’s operations.
Correct occupation matching. The duties and responsibilities of the role need to properly correspond with the nominated ANZSCO occupation, rather than relying only on the job title.
The nominated occupation can therefore be critical to both the applicant’s 482 visa eligibility requirements and the employer’s nomination.
482 Visa Salary Requirements in 2026
Employers must meet the applicable 482 visa salary requirements as well as the Annual Market Salary Rate.
For nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is AUD 79,423.
For the Specialist Skills stream, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is AUD 146,576 for nominations lodged during the same period.
Meeting the relevant income threshold alone is not necessarily enough.
Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR). Where the salary rules apply, the employer must establish the Annual Market Salary Rate for the nominated position and demonstrate that the overseas worker will not be paid less than an equivalent Australian worker performing comparable work.
The applicable salary therefore needs to satisfy both the relevant income threshold and the market salary requirements.
Labour market testing. Employers generally need to demonstrate that they have tested the Australian labour market where required before nominating an overseas worker. This can involve advertising the position in accordance with the applicable rules and retaining evidence of the recruitment process.
Consistent documentation across all three stages. Sponsorship, nomination and visa documents need to tell the same story. The occupation, duties, salary, business need, employment arrangements and applicant experience should be consistent throughout the process.
Inconsistencies can lead to requests for further information and may delay assessment.
Requirements That Apply Across the 482 Visa Process
A few issues affect both the sponsoring employer and the applicant.
Occupation conditions and eligibility. Employers and applicants should check whether any specific requirements apply to the nominated occupation, including qualifications, registration, licensing or other conditions.
Salary indexation. The CSIT and SSIT are subject to annual indexation. Employers lodging nominations around 1 July should confirm the current 482 visa salary threshold before finalising remuneration arrangements.
Correct stream selection. Choosing between the Core Skills stream, Specialist Skills stream and Labour Agreement stream affects occupation eligibility, salary requirements and other nomination criteria.
Department of Home Affairs requirements. The final criteria depend on Australian migration law and the requirements administered by the Department of Home Affairs, so applicants and employers should rely on current rules rather than outdated information about the former TSS visa.
Can a 482 Visa Lead to Permanent Residence?
For eligible workers, the Skills in Demand visa can provide a pathway to permanent residence, including through the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream where the relevant requirements are met.
The permanent residence criteria are separate from the initial subclass 482 visa requirements, so applicants planning a longer-term pathway should consider both their temporary visa strategy and future employer-sponsored options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a 482 visa in Australia?
The main 482 visa requirements include nomination by an approved sponsor, an eligible skilled position, relevant skills and at least 12 months of work experience in the occupation or a related field, and meeting applicable English, health and character requirements. The sponsoring employer must also satisfy sponsorship, nomination, salary and employment requirements.
How much work experience is required for a 482 visa?
Applicants generally need at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field. The evidence should demonstrate that the applicant has the practical skills and experience required to perform the nominated position.
What are the employer requirements for a 482 visa?
The main 482 visa employer requirements include appropriate sponsorship approval, a genuine nominated position, correct occupation selection, compliant salary arrangements, the Annual Market Salary Rate and labour market testing where required.
Can I apply for a 482 visa without a job offer?
No. The Skills in Demand visa is an employer-sponsored visa, so you need an Australian employer to sponsor and nominate you for an appropriate skilled position before the visa can be granted.
Do all occupations need a skills assessment?
No. A mandatory skills assessment only applies in particular circumstances. Applicants should check the specific 482 visa skills assessment requirements for their occupation and circumstances before lodging the visa application.
What is the minimum salary for a 482 visa in 2026?
For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD 146,576. Employers must also meet the applicable Annual Market Salary Rate requirements.
What English requirements apply to a 482 visa?
Applicants generally need to meet the relevant English language standard for their Skills in Demand visa stream unless an exemption applies. The required evidence depends on the applicant’s circumstances and the English test used.
Which occupations are eligible for a 482 visa?
Occupation eligibility depends on the stream. Core Skills applicants generally need an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, while the Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams operate under different occupation eligibility rules.
What happens if my employer isn’t an approved sponsor yet?
An employer that is not currently an approved Standard Business Sponsor may be able to apply for sponsorship as part of the overall process. Sponsorship, nomination and visa stages must ultimately satisfy the relevant Department of Home Affairs requirements.
482 Visa Help in Perth WA
Understanding the Skills in Demand visa requirements can be difficult because the applicant’s eligibility and the employer’s sponsorship obligations need to work together.
If you are an applicant or sponsoring employer in Perth WA and want your 482 visa eligibility requirements, occupation, work experience, sponsorship or salary arrangements reviewed, book a consultation with Pathfinder Visa & Immigration Services. We can assess your circumstances and explain the requirements that apply to your proposed Skills in Demand visa application.
