The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa provides a valuable pathway for overseas businesses to address workforce shortages by sponsoring skilled workers in Australia—even if they don’t yet have an established presence in the country.
If you’re an international company looking to send staff to Australia or expand your operations into the Australian market, the 482 visa might be your solution. At Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE), we’ve helped businesses around the world navigate this process with confidence.
What Is the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa?
The 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for up to four years in order to meet workforce demands. It replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 and offers a more streamlined, skills-focused approach.
The application process involves three steps:
- Sponsorship – The business becomes an approved Standard Business Sponsor or a Labour Agreement holder.
- Nomination – The employer nominates a position that outlines the job role, salary, and candidate details.
- Visa – The candidate applies for the 482 visa, demonstrating their skills and eligibility.
Can Overseas Businesses Sponsor Workers?
Yes. Overseas companies that do not yet have an Australian business entity can still sponsor workers under the 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa program. To do so, they must:
- Show that the business is lawfully and actively operating overseas.
- Provide evidence of contractual obligations in Australia (e.g. service agreements, client contracts), or demonstrate a genuine intent to open an Australian branch or office.
This is known as becoming an Overseas Standard Business Sponsor, and it can be a stepping stone for international businesses looking to expand into Australia.
482 Skills in Demand (SID) Nomination Requirements
To nominate a worker under the 482 program, businesses must align the job with a relevant occupation and meet salary and labour market criteria.
There are two main streams:
- Core Skills Stream
- The job must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- Salary must exceed the Core Skills Income Threshold of $76,515 per year
- Specialist Skills Stream
- The job doesn’t need to appear on the CSOL but must be included in ANZSCO (2022 edition)
- Salary must exceed the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of $141,210 per year
- Not available for certain occupations (e.g. trades, machine operators, labourers)
In all cases, the salary must reflect the local market rate, ensuring the nominee is treated fairly in comparison to Australian workers in similar roles.
Labour Market Testing (LMT)
Most nominations also require Labour Market Testing, which means the business must demonstrate they attempted to hire locally before turning to overseas workers. This involves specific job advertising protocols that must be followed to satisfy immigration requirements.
Workers being transferred from the overseas entity to undertake work in Australia are generally not required to provide evidence of job advertising, but must provide submissions outlining the transfer arrangements.
482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Application Requirements
Once the sponsorship and nomination are in place, the worker applies for the visa. They must:
- Meet the skill criteria outlined in ANZSCO for the nominated role
- Have at least 12 months of work experience in their occupation in the past 5 years
- Demonstrate Vocational English proficiency
- Meet health and character requirements
In some occupations, a formal skills assessment is also required before applying.
Can Family Members Be Included?
Yes. 482 visa holders can include partners and dependent children in their application. This makes the 482 visa not only attractive for businesses, but also for workers looking for long-term opportunities in Australia.
Can workers on a 482 Skills in Demand visa with an overseas sponsor obtain PR?
Most 482 visa holders have a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, a key incentive for both employers and candidates. However, it is not possible for an overseas sponsor to support a Subclass 186 application. The business would need to open an Australian company, have that company apply to become a Standard Business Sponsor, and move the existing visa holders to the new Australian entity before attempting to apply for the Subclass 186 visa.
Transferring 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Holders Between Employers
If a 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa holder moves to a different job or employer, the new employer must submit a Nomination Transfer application. The visa itself remains valid for its original duration, only the sponsor changes.
This flexibility allows businesses to hire 482 workers who are already in Australia without starting the entire visa process from scratch.
Thinking of Expanding to Australia?
If you’re a U.S. or international company planning to:
- Open a new branch in Australia
- Send employees to complete contracts
- Expand into the Australian market
- Recruit from your international workforce for Australia
…then applying for a 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa as an offshore sponsor may be the most efficient pathway.
Why Choose AVIE?
At Australian Visa and Immigration Experts, we’ve worked with businesses around the world—from small startups to multinational companies—helping them sponsor overseas staff and navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law.
Whether you’re expanding into Australia or simply need to send staff for a long-term project, our experienced team can:
- Assess your eligibility to sponsor
- Help establish your sponsorship status
- Prepare compliant nomination and visa applications
- Ensure all requirements are met for a smooth transition
Book a Consultation
Ready to bring skilled workers into Australia or expand your international operations?
Contact AVIE today or book a consultation with one of our experts to learn how we can help your business succeed with the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa.