Australia’s Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) lets qualified international workers live and work in Australia for up to four years with an employer sponsor. The Core Skills salary threshold rose to $79,423 from 1 July 2026. Nurses, engineers, tradespeople, teachers and accountants are among the highest-demand roles. Here is everything you need to apply.
Australia Skills in Demand Visa Jobs 2026: Quick Answer
International workers in shortage occupations — including nurses, software engineers, civil engineers, electricians, accountants, teachers and chefs — can apply for the Skills in Demand (482) Visa through an approved Australian employer sponsor. The minimum salary for the Core Skills stream is $79,423 (updated July 2026). Processing takes 3–12 months and the visa runs for up to four years, with a pathway to permanent residency.
Why Australia Is Hiring International Skilled Workers
Australia faces a persistent shortage across healthcare, construction, technology and education. The government’s Jobs and Skills Australia agency publishes an annual Skills Priority List showing where demand outstrips local supply. In 2026, the gap is widest in regional areas, the aged-care sector and critical infrastructure projects tied to the AUKUS defence partnership and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics build-up.
The Skills in Demand Visa replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa in December 2024. It introduced three distinct streams, making sponsorship accessible to a broader range of occupations and salary levels than before.
Salary Expectations and Benefits for Sponsored Workers
Salaries vary widely by occupation and state. Employers must pay the nominated salary on top of mandatory 11.5% superannuation contributions.
| Occupation | Typical Annual Salary (AUD) | Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $75,000 – $100,000 | Core Skills |
| Software Engineer | $90,000 – $160,000 | Core / Specialist |
| Civil Engineer | $80,000 – $130,000 | Core Skills |
| Electrician | $80,000 – $110,000 | Core Skills |
| Accountant | $75,000 – $120,000 | Core Skills |
| Secondary School Teacher | $75,000 – $100,000 | Core Skills |
| Medical Doctor (GP) | $140,000 – $280,000 | Specialist Skills |
| Head Chef | $70,000 – $90,000 | Core Skills |
Salary ranges are indicative estimates drawn from SEEK, Indeed Australia and Glassdoor data as of Q3 2026. Verify against any actual offer before accepting. Regional roles often carry additional incentives.
How the Skills in Demand Visa (482) Works: Three Streams
| Stream | Requirement | Salary Threshold | Visa Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Skills | Occupation on Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | From $79,423 CSIT (updated 1 July 2026) | Up to 4 years |
| Specialist Skills | Any occupation — high salary substitutes for CSOL listing | From $135,000 AET | Up to 4 years |
| Labour Agreement | Employer has a formal labour agreement with the government | Set by agreement | Up to 4 years |
Your employer must be an Approved Sponsor before lodging a nomination. The sponsor pays a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — $1,200 or $1,800 per year depending on business size — which many employers absorb. If your occupation is on the permanent pathway list, you may be eligible for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) permanent visa after three years.
Processing time ranges from three to twelve months. Department of Home Affairs data shows a median of about five months for offshore applications in 2025–26. Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Who Qualifies: Skills, Experience and Language Requirements
- Skills assessment from the relevant authority (AHPRA for nurses, Engineers Australia for engineers, CPA/CAANZ for accountants)
- At least two years of recent work experience in the nominated occupation
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.0 overall (no band below 4.5), or equivalent PTE, TOEFL iBT, or OET. Healthcare roles typically require IELTS 7.0
- A valid job offer from an approved Australian sponsor at or above the relevant salary threshold
- Health and character clearances: health examination through an approved panel physician; police clearances from every country lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years
Some occupations require state-level licensing in addition to the national skills assessment. Electricians, for example, need a state electrical licence alongside their TRA assessment. Confirm requirements for your specific occupation before applying.
Employers and Sectors Hiring International Workers in Australia
You cannot self-nominate for the 482 Visa — an employer must sponsor you. Large healthcare networks, mining companies, IT firms and construction contractors are the most active sponsors. Check the Register of Approved Sponsors on the Department of Home Affairs website — this is the only authoritative source. Any recruiter who cannot name an approved sponsor is a red flag.
Where to Find Genuine Job Listings With Visa Sponsorship
- SEEK.com.au: Australia’s largest job board — filter by “visa sponsorship” or “sponsorship available”
- LinkedIn Jobs: search “[role] + visa sponsorship + Australia”
- Indeed Australia: sector-specific searches with location filters
- Ethical Jobs: strong for health, social work and community sector roles
- APSJobs (apsjobs.gov.au): for federal public service roles
Nurses should also check Health Workforce Australia job boards and hospital careers pages directly. Teachers should check state education department recruitment portals, several of which run dedicated overseas teacher recruitment programmes.
How to Apply for the Skills in Demand Visa: Step by Step
- Find a sponsor-eligible employer — confirm they are on the approved sponsors list or willing to apply (4–6 weeks)
- Get your skills assessed — AHPRA assessments take 3–6 months; Engineers Australia takes 4–16 weeks; start early
- Sit an English test — book IELTS, PTE Academic, or OET well in advance; results typically valid for three years
- Receive a nomination — employer lodges a nomination; you receive an email to link it to your ImmiAccount
- Lodge the visa application — create an ImmiAccount, complete required forms, and attach all documents
- Complete the health examination — through an approved panel physician in your country
- Wait for a decision — track via ImmiAccount; respond promptly to any case officer requests
See also our guides on UK jobs with visa sponsorship 2026, Canada visa-sponsored jobs 2026 and our Germany skilled worker jobs guide for the Opportunity Card pathway.
The Real Cost of Relocating to Australia
- Visa application fee: AUD $3,115 (primary applicant, 2026)
- Skills assessment fee: AUD $500–$1,200
- English test: approx. AUD $400–$500 equivalent
- Health examination: AUD $250–$450
- Return flights: AUD $1,200–$3,500 from most African and Asian cities
- First month rent (bond + first month): AUD $2,000–$4,500 in major cities
- Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC): AUD $80–$200/month until you access Medicare
Total before your first paycheque: AUD $7,000–$13,000 for a single applicant, more with dependants. Some employers in shortage sectors offer relocation allowances of AUD $5,000–$10,000 — negotiate this before signing. Do not travel to Australia before your visa is granted.
Red Flags: How to Spot Visa Sponsorship Scams
- 🚩 Upfront fees: Legitimate employers do not charge you to process a sponsorship
- 🚩 “Guaranteed visa” promises: No agent or employer can guarantee visa approval
- 🚩 Offers without interviews: Unsolicited WhatsApp/Telegram job offers are almost always scams
- 🚩 Early passport requests: Real employers do not need your passport until after a formal offer
- 🚩 Agent-only contacts who won’t name the employer: Verify via abr.business.gov.au
- 🚩 Urgency pressure: “Act now before your visa slot expires” is a classic advance-fee fraud tactic
Report suspected scams to Scamwatch.
Australia Skills in Demand Visa 2026 FAQ
What is the Australia Skills in Demand Visa (482)?
The subclass 482 is a temporary work visa that allows Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for up to four years. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa in December 2024.
What is the minimum salary for the Skills in Demand Visa in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is AUD $79,423 per year. The Specialist Skills stream requires at least $135,000.
Which jobs qualify for Australia skilled worker visa sponsorship?
Core Skills stream occupations are on the CSOL and include nurses, engineers, software developers, electricians, accountants, teachers and chefs. The Specialist Skills stream accepts any occupation paying at least $135,000 per year.
How long does it take to get an Australian work visa?
Processing ranges from 3 to 12 months, with a 2025–26 median of about five months for offshore applications.
Can I bring my family on the Skills in Demand Visa?
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be secondary applicants and receive the same work and study rights as the primary holder.
Can the Skills in Demand Visa lead to permanent residency?
After at least three years on an eligible 482 visa, many holders can apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) for permanent residency, if their employer nominates them.
How do I verify that a job offer with visa sponsorship is genuine?
Search the employer’s ABN at abr.business.gov.au and cross-check with the Department of Home Affairs approved sponsor register. Never pay a fee to secure sponsorship.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s Skills in Demand Visa is one of the most accessible employer-sponsored pathways in the world for qualified workers. If your occupation is on the CSOL, you have two or more years of verifiable experience, a skills assessment and a solid English score, you are in a strong position to find a sponsoring employer.
Start your skills assessment early — it is usually the longest part of the process. Apply directly to employers through SEEK and LinkedIn, and always verify the sponsor’s ABN before sharing personal documents. If your case is complex, use a MARA-registered migration agent — not an unlicensed recruiter charging upfront fees.
Apply directly through the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
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