Table of Content
1.Introduction
Since the release of Australia's Federal Budget in May 2024, the updated regulations for the 482 Employer-Sponsored Visa have sparked significant public interest. Starting in 2024, immigration policies began signaling a new era for employer-sponsored visas, positioning them as the primary pathway to migration, potentially replacing other streams.
On December 7, 2024, the Australian Department of Home Affairs made a groundbreaking announcement: the introduction of the new Skills in Demand (SID, subclass 482) visa, which officially replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS, subclass 482) visa.
This article will provide a detailed explanation of the 2025 Australia Employer-Sponsored 482 (Skills in Demand, SID) Visa, including its categories, application process, target groups, and pros and cons.
Let’s start by highlighting the advantages of employer-sponsored migration: Compared to independent skilled migration, which requires high point scores and advanced language proficiency, employer-sponsored visas (such as the 482 Visa) have lower language requirements, greater flexibility, and stricter requirements for personal and company assets.
2024-2025 Immigration Quota
According to data released by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the total migration quota for the new fiscal year remains largely unchanged from the previous year, set at 185,000 places, reflecting a decrease of 5,000.Key changes in immigration categories include:
Employer-Sponsored Visas: Additional 7,175 places
Regional Migration: Additional 700 places
State-Nominated Migration: Additional 2,600 places
The biggest winner of the new immigration quota is the Employer-Sponsored Visa, not only receiving the largest increase in allocated places but also representing the largest share of skilled migration quotas. This shift highlights that employer sponsorship will remain the primary focus of Australia’s migration strategy moving forward.
2. Overview of the 482 Visa
Full Name: Australia subclass 482 Visa, with the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa being a category under subclass 482.
Visa Predecessor: The 457 Employer-Sponsored Visa. The 457 Visa was abolished on March 18, 2018, and replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (subclass 482). On December 7, 2024, the Skills in Demand (SID, subclass 482) Visa officially replaced the TSS Visa.
Purpose: This visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers to meet their workforce needs and address job vacancies.
3. The Three Main Categories of the 482 Visa
1） Specialist Skills Stream
This pathway requires applicants to meet the following criteria:
A minimum annual salary of AUD 135,000.
At least one year of relevant work experience in the field.
The occupation must be listed on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) list, covering major categories like Managers, Professionals, Community Workers, and Sales Workers.
However, occupations in ANZSCO categories 3, 7, and 8 are excluded from the SID Visa.
This exclusion means that Trades Workers, Machinery Operators, Drivers, and Labourers are not eligible under this stream. The Australian government likely made this decision because blue-collar workers in Australia generally earn high salaries, making the AUD 135,000 threshold easily achievable. Excluding these occupations creates more opportunities for professionals in other industries.
2）Core Skills Stream
Applicants under this stream must meet the following criteria:
A minimum annual salary of AUD 73,150.
At least one year of relevant work experience.
The occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
The CSOL is a new occupational list that has replaced the former Short-Term and Medium-Term Skilled Occupation Lists. It also applies to Employer-Sponsored Permanent Visas (subclass 186). The list now includes 456 occupations, almost double the number from previous lists, spanning nearly all major industries. This expansion is undoubtedly good news for employer-sponsored visa applicants!
⚠️ Note: Some occupations still require a skills assessment, so it is crucial to check the official website for specific requirements related to your occupation.
For your convenience, we have created a bilingual (English and Chinese) version of the official CSOL. If you are interested, please email us at marketing@rightkeyinvestment.com, and we will send you the document promptly!
3） Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement is a special arrangement between the Australian government and employers or industry bodies to address skill shortages. This stream allows employers to hire international skilled workers who cannot be sourced locally, particularly in fields like agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and other related areas. It is designed to help technical workers stay in Australia to meet the needs of these industries.
This stream retains the structure of the old TSS visa with minimal changes. While some occupations still require a skills assessment, this pathway is rarely chosen by applicants from Hong Kong.
4. 482 Visa Application Process
Application Steps:
Employer Sponsorship Application: Australian companies apply for employer sponsorship eligibility.
Nomination Application: The company submits a nomination application, specifying the required position.
Visa Application: The applicant submits the visa application, including medical exams and supplementary documents. Applicants can include their spouse and children in the application.
5. Advantages of the 482 Visa
No Age Requirement: There is no age limit for applying for this visa, but for the 186 Employer-Sponsored Permanent Visa, applicants must be under 45 (with some special exemptions).
Flexible Educational Requirements: There is no specific degree requirement; only relevant qualifications are needed.
Low English Language Requirements: The minimum IELTS requirement is only 4 bands of 5.
Wide Range of Eligible Occupations: Only some occupations require a skills assessment.
Visa Duration: You can stay in Australia for up to four years, with Hong Kong applicants eligible for five years.
Free Entry and Exit: You can freely enter and exit Australia during the visa validity period.
Family Inclusion: You can bring your spouse and dependent children.
Pathway to Permanent Residency: After working for two years on the visa, you can apply for permanent residency, even for short-term occupations.
Child Education Benefits: Dependent children of school age can attend public primary and secondary schools for free (though some states have started charging fees).
6. Who is the 482 Visa Suitable For?
Australian Graduates: Holders of the 485 Visa with 1-2 years of work experience.
Overseas Skilled Workers: Professionals with certain technical skills, education, and English proficiency.
Various Professional Occupations: Business professionals, white-collar workers, marketing specialists, designers, technicians, chefs, engineers, teachers, accountants, nurses, managers, etc.
7. List of Eligible Occupations for the 482 Visa
Core Skill Occupation List (CSOL)If you're interested, please email marketing@rightkeyinvestment.com for a bilingual (English and Chinese) version of the list!
8. How to Transition from 482 Visa to Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residency?
The process of transitioning to Permanent Residency (PR) is essentially the same as before the reforms. After obtaining the SID Visa, you can apply for permanent residency through the 186 Employer-Sponsored Visa.
Although there is no age limit for SID Visa holders, if you are applying for PR via the 186 Visa, you must still be under 45 (unless you have special exemptions). Therefore, applicants aged over 45 generally cannot use the employer-sponsored PR pathway and will often choose the Hong Kong Stream plan. I have explained in a previous video the pathways for applicants over 45 to obtain PR, so you can refer to that video.
For applicants under 45 holding an SID Visa, the process to transition to PR remains largely unchanged. After three years of work experience, you can apply for PR through the 186 Visa. The occupation list has expanded from over 200 to 456 occupations, making the pathway more accessible. Even those who obtained their TSS (482) Visa before December 7 can continue with the 186 pathway, as the reforms do not affect them.
9. Conclusion
In summary, the 482 Visa has brought numerous advantages, opening up unprecedented opportunities for skilled immigrants. The improvements in visa duration, flexibility, ease of application, and the wider selection of eligible occupations have significantly enhanced the process. Without a doubt, the golden era of employer-sponsored visas has begun, and for professionals planning to migrate to Australia, this is an excellent opportunity to seize!
Alison’s Story
Born in Hong Kong an moved to Australia, I have been associated with real estate all my life. As the plane slowly landed on the runway of Melbourne Airport, my life and career also changed to another runway. I changed from a Hong Kong real estate agent to an Australian real estate agent, and successfully obtained the Australian lawyer qualification.
When I was working in a law firm, I was surrounded by highly educated professionals. Even though their wages are very well, and they are absolutely the elites in society, but their lives are full of hard labor, and it’s hard for them to get rich through buying properties.
So I spend all my time and effort on learning financial and real estate investment knowledge, hoping to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible, and let my parents who have worked hard for many years live a good life.
Now I will share with you the knowledge and experience of investing in Australian real estate, and embark on the road to financial freedom together.
Alison Australian real estate information platform
The original intention of Miss Alison to establish investwithalison.com is to provide neutral Australian real estate information through this platform and help investors establish the most suitable investment strategy.
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