The Skills in Demand (SID) visa, launched on 7 December 2024, replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, streamlining the process for approved sponsors to address labour shortages in high-demand occupations. The SID visa offers foreign workers the chance to gain valuable Australian work experience and build a pathway to permanent residency—all within a four-year validity period.

This visa is available through three streams:

Core Skills: For occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Specialist Skills: Open to most ANZSCO occupations, with the exception of trade workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers.

Labour Agreement: Designed for sponsors with an existing work agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

The SID visa offers both employers and skilled professionals increased opportunity and flexibility as Australia’s workforce needs continue to evolve.

With this visa, you can

• work in Australia for up to 4 years or up to 5 years if you are a Hong Kong passport holder
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
• if eligible, apply for permanent residence

You Must

• Be nominated for a role listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• Be paid at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for your occupation, and not less than the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)
• Have at least one year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field
• Obtain a relevant skills assessment if required for your occupation
• Work only for your sponsoring employer or their associated entity, unless exempt
• Meet minimum English language proficiency requirements, unless an exemption applies

Eligibility

Applications lodged before 7 December 2024 will be processed under the previous TSS visa rules. Applications submitted after this date will be assessed according to the new SID visa requirements. If your employer submitted a TSS nomination before 7 December 2024 but you have not yet applied for a TSS visa, your nomination and application may still be linked to an SID visa.

To be eligible for the SID (previously 482) visa, primary applicants must:

• Have an approved sponsor who has lodged a nomination for a skilled position
• Hold a valid passport
• Have at least one year of relevant work experience
• Possess the necessary qualifications and/or licenses required for your occupation
• Meet the minimum salary requirements:
• $76,515 for the Core Skills stream ($73,150 for nominations lodged before 1 July 2025)
• $141,210 for the Specialist Skills stream ($135,000 for nominations lodged before 1 July 2025)
• Meet the required English language standards
• Meet health and character requirements and maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia
• Obtain a skills assessment from the relevant authority if required for your occupation
• Sign the Australian values statement

Meeting these requirements is essential for a successful application under the SID visa program.

This visa has three streams​

Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa application process 

The SID visa application process has three key stages:

Stage 1: Standard Business Sponsor Application (SBS)

The employer must first become an approved standard business sponsor. To qualify, the business must operate lawfully in Australia, demonstrate a commitment to hiring Australian workers where possible, and avoid discriminatory recruitment practices.

Stage 2: Nomination

Next, the employer nominates a position within their business to be filled by an overseas worker. The nominated occupation must appear on the relevant skilled occupation list, and each worker must have an approved nomination.

Stage 3: Visa Application

The final stage is the visa application, which assesses whether the applicant is suitable for the nominated role. Key factors reviewed include work experience, qualifications and required licensing/registration, English language proficiency, and health and character requirements.

Professional Visa and Education Services can assist both visa applicants and employers by preparing complete, well-documented applications to maximise your chance of success at each stage.