🇦🇺 Australia Immigration Guide
Australia's employer-sponsored migration system is centred on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), both governed by the Department of Home Affairs.
General Information Only — Always Verify Officially
This guide summarizes publicly available government information current as of our last review. Immigration rules, occupation lists, fees, and processing times change frequently and your eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Nothing here is legal or migration advice. Always confirm current details on the official government links below, or speak with a licensed professional — see our Disclaimer and Partners & Verification pages.
Work Permit Options
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), introduced in December 2024 to replace the former Temporary Skill Shortage visa, allows an approved Australian employer to sponsor a skilled worker for a temporary period. It has three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Essential Skills, each with different salary thresholds and occupation requirements.
Employer Sponsorship Overview
An Australian business must first become an approved sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs before nominating a worker. The employer then lodges a nomination for a specific position, which must meet the relevant skills, salary (Core Skills threshold from 1 July 2026: roughly AUD $76,515–$141,210; Specialist Skills: above roughly AUD $146,576), and labour market requirements for the chosen stream. Employers also pay a nomination fee and a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
Permanent Residence Pathway
Workers on a subclass 482 visa may become eligible for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), either via the Direct Entry stream or the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after around two years of qualifying work with a sponsoring employer. Skilled independent and state/territory-nominated points-tested visas (subclasses 189/190/491) offer additional pathways for eligible occupations outside direct employer sponsorship.
Occupation Categories
Australia classifies occupations using ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations), grouped into 8 major groups. Eligible sponsored occupations are drawn from the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which replaced the previous MLTSSL/STSOL lists and currently spans around 456 occupations. Example ANZSCO major groups include:
- Managers and Professionals (engineers, IT specialists, healthcare practitioners)
- Technicians and Trades Workers (electricians, chefs, mechanics)
- Community and Personal Service Workers, Labourers, and Machinery Operators
General Eligibility Factors
These are common, general factors — actual requirements vary by program and individual case.
- A genuine, full-time job offer from an approved Australian sponsoring employer
- Occupation listed on the relevant Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for your stream
- Meeting the minimum salary threshold (Annual Market Salary Rate) for your stream
- Relevant skills, qualifications, and often a positive skills assessment
- Health and character requirements (medical exam, police clearance)
Typically Required Documents
- Valid passport and recent passport-style photos
- Employer nomination approval and evidence of the genuine position
- Skills assessment (where required for your occupation)
- Proof of relevant work experience and qualifications
- English language test results and health/character clearances
Approximate Processing Times & Fees
- Subclass 482 visa fee (from 1 July 2026): approximately AUD $4,015 for the main applicant
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa fee: approximately AUD $6,140 for the main applicant
- Employer nomination fee and Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: additional employer-paid costs, ranging roughly AUD $1,200–$5,000 depending on business size
- Processing: Core Skills stream visas can take up to roughly 10 months; Specialist Skills stream is designed to process faster (often within weeks)
These figures change often. Always check the official government fee and processing-time pages linked below before budgeting or planning.
Employment Opportunity Context
Australia's Core Skills Occupation List is reviewed periodically and reflects national skills shortages across healthcare, trades, engineering, and technology sectors. Regional Australia also has targeted visa options for employers outside major cities. Demand varies by state, occupation, and time — always check the current CSOL and speak with a registered migration agent for occupation-specific guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa lists?
From December 2024, the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) replaced the previous Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
Can I apply for permanent residence directly, without a temporary visa first?
Yes, in some cases — the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) does not always require a prior 482 visa, subject to eligibility criteria.
Who pays the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy?
The sponsoring employer pays the SAF levy, not the visa applicant.
How do I know if my occupation is eligible?
Check the current Core Skills Occupation List on the Department of Home Affairs website, as it is updated periodically.
Official Government Sources
These are the primary official sources for Australia immigration information — bookmark them and check back often, as rules change.
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