SC 482

The Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa is Australia's primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa. It replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) system in December 2024 and allows skilled overseas workers to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. It's a three-step process: the employer becomes an approved sponsor (SBS), nominates the position, and then the worker lodges their visa application.

The nominated role must be on the Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL), which covers over 450 occupations. The salary must meet or exceed the Core Skills Income Threshold (currently $76,515/year) and the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the role. Employers must also complete labour market testing, advertising the role on at least two platforms for a minimum of 28 consecutive days to demonstrate that no suitable Australian worker is available.

Your spouse and dependants get full, unrestricted work and study rights in Australia. After 2 years of full-time work with your sponsoring employer, you're eligible to transition to permanent residence through the SC 186 visa.

The SC 482 is designed for skilled professionals who have a job offer from an Australian employer in a role that matches an occupation on the Core Skills Occupations List. You'll typically have at least a year of relevant work experience and meet the English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 in each band, or equivalent). It's the go-to visa for tech professionals, engineers, healthcare workers, accountants, and a wide range of skilled occupations.

It's also a strong strategic choice for workers already in Australia on other temporary visas who want to transition to a more stable, longer-term arrangement with a clear pathway to permanent residence. For employers, it's the most common route to filling skilled roles when Australian candidates aren't available.