Check Your Eligibility for the Australia 482 Visa
Answer a few quick questions to see if you qualify for the 482 work visa. Nothing is mandatory — skip anything you’re unsure about.
Want to work in Australia? An Australian company can sponsor you through the 482 visa.
Its new name is the Skills in Demand visa. It replaced the old TSS visa on 7 December 2024. The visa number is still subclass 482.
Everything below starts with one thing: a genuine offer from an Australian employer. These 5 legit employers hiring in Australia let you apply direct — no middlemen.
How does it work?
Simple. An Australian employer offers you a job. The employer sponsors you. You get a visa to work for them in Australia for up to 4 years.
The 3 streams
There are 3 doors into this visa. You only need one.
Door 1: Core Skills stream. For most skilled jobs. Your job must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (456 jobs). Your pay must be at least A$79,423 per year (from 1 July 2026). Your employer must also pay at least the normal market salary for the role, if that is higher.
Door 2: Specialist Skills stream. For high earners. Your pay must be at least A$146,576 per year (from 1 July 2026). No occupation list needed — but trades, machinery operators, drivers and labourers are excluded. Processing is very fast — about 7 days.
Door 3: Labour Agreement stream. For companies that have a special deal with the Australian government.
Some regional areas hire through special migration agreements with lower requirements. Read our DAMA visa Australia guide — how to apply.
What do YOU need?
1 year work experience. In your job or a close job. In the last 5 years. (It was 2 years before. Now only 1!)
English: IELTS 5.0. At least 5.0 in each part — reading, writing, listening, speaking. Some people are exempt.
A real job offer from an approved Australian employer.
Health check and police clearance.
Health insurance for your stay in Australia.
Is there an age limit?
No age limit for the 482 visa itself. But the permanent residency step later needs you to be under 45.
Can this visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes! After 2 years working for the same employer on a 482 visa, your employer can nominate you for the 186 visa — that is permanent residency. For that step you need IELTS 6.0 and to be under 45.
The 482 needs a sponsoring employer, but the 491 Skilled Work Regional visa is a points-based route to live and work in regional Australia — a different door to the same dream.
The 3 steps to apply
1. Sponsorship. Your employer applies to become an approved sponsor.
2. Nomination. Your employer nominates YOUR job position.
3. Visa application. You apply for the visa.
What if you lose the job?
You get 180 days to find a new approved sponsor. (It was only 60 days before.) There is also a 365-day total limit across the whole visa. Use this time well.
How much does it cost?
The visa fee is about A$4,015 for the main applicant — it went up from A$3,210 on 1 July 2026. Your employer also pays their own sponsorship and nomination fees. Budget for the English test and the medical check too.
Can your family come?
Yes. Your partner and children can come with you. Your partner can usually work full-time in Australia.
Watch out for scammers
No one can sell you a 482 visa. The job must be real. The employer must be real. If someone asks you to pay for a “guaranteed” visa, walk away.
Is the 482 right for you?
This visa is great if you have skills + 1 year experience + a real job offer. Not sure where you stand? Take the free 2-minute eligibility check at the top of this page. If you are a caregiver, also read our Australia caregiver jobs guide — it explains the PR pathway for care workers too.
Want new Australia vacancies as they come? Join our free Facebook group Work Abroad — we post new openings there every week.
Last checked: 11 October 2026. Visa rules change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply.
