Major changes hit Australian employer sponsorship in December 2024. The new Skills in Demand visa replaced the old 482 TSS visa, bringing better pathways for workers and streamlined processes for employers. Construction, automotive, and hospitality sectors gained expanded access to skilled migration.

Understanding these changes matters whether you're an employer facing skill shortages or a worker seeking Australian opportunities. Before exploring employer sponsorship, check your general eligibility using our Australia PR Points Calculator.

What is the Skills in Demand (482) Visa?

The Skills in Demand visa launched December 7, 2024, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. According to the Department of Home Affairs, this temporary visa allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers when they cannot find suitable Australian workers.

Key improvements include:

  • Three distinct pathways based on salary and skills
  • Reduced work experience requirements (2 years to 1 year)
  • Extended unemployment period (60 to 180 days)
  • Clearer permanent residency pathways
  • Faster processing for high-salary positions

Three Visa Pathways Explained

1. Core Skills Stream

The main pathway for most skilled workers in high-demand occupations.

Requirements:

  • Occupation on Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
  • Salary: AUD $76,515+ (TSMIT) from July 1, 2025
  • Work experience: 1 year minimum
  • Visa duration: Up to 4 years
  • PR pathway: Yes, via 186 visa after 2 years

Target occupations:

  • Chefs and cooks
  • Motor mechanics
  • Carpenters and joiners
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Construction managers
  • Registered nurses

2. Specialist Skills Stream

Fast-track pathway for highly skilled, high-earning professionals.

Requirements:

  • Any ANZSCO occupation (excluding trades/laborers)
  • Salary: AUD $141,210+ (SSIT) from July 1, 2025
  • Work experience: 1 year minimum
  • Processing: 7 days priority
  • Visa duration: Up to 4 years
  • PR pathway: Yes, via 186 visa

Target roles:

  • Senior managers
  • IT architects
  • Specialist engineers
  • Medical specialists
  • Executive positions

3. Labour Agreement Stream

For positions covered by specific labour agreements.

Requirements:

  • Covered by labour agreement (e.g., DAMA)
  • Salary: Per agreement terms
  • Specific occupation requirements
  • Visa duration: Per agreement
  • PR pathway: Depends on agreement

Industry Focus Areas

Construction Sector

Construction faces critical shortages across multiple trades:

High-demand occupations:

  • Carpenters (ANZSCO 331212)
  • Plumbers (334111)
  • Electricians (341111)
  • Painters (332211)
  • Bricklayers (331111)
  • Construction project managers (133111)

Special considerations:

  • WA building sector: Reduced employment requirements
  • Regional areas: Additional concessions available
  • Fast-track processing for critical roles
  • Lower English requirements for some trades

Automotive Industry

Automotive sector benefits from expanded occupation access:

Key occupations:

  • Motor mechanics (321211)
  • Automotive electricians (321111)
  • Panel beaters (324111)
  • Vehicle painters (324311)
  • Diesel motor mechanics (321212)

Industry benefits:

  • Specialized technician roles included
  • Regional opportunities enhanced
  • Clear PR pathways for experienced workers
  • Reduced documentation requirements

Hospitality Sector

Hospitality received significant improvements:

Core occupations:

  • Chefs (351311)
  • Cooks (351411)
  • Restaurant managers (141111)
  • Café managers (141111)
  • Hotel service managers (141411)

Notable changes:

  • Lower English requirements maintained
  • Regional focus areas prioritized
  • Seasonal workforce accommodations
  • Flexible working arrangements recognized

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Salary Requirements (July 2025)

Current thresholds effective July 1, 2025:
Stream Minimum Salary Indexed Annually
Core Skills AUD $76,515 Yes (AWOTE)
Specialist Skills AUD $141,210 Yes
Labour Agreement Per agreement Varies

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Important notes:

  • Salaries exclude superannuation
  • Must meet market rate if higher than TSMIT
  • Regional concessions may apply
  • Annual indexation applies

Employer Requirements

Sponsorship Obligations

  1. Standard Business Sponsor approval
    • Lawfully operating business
    • Genuine need for position
    • Financial capacity to pay salaries
    • No adverse information
  2. Nomination requirements
    • Position genuinely exists
    • Market salary rate evidence
    • Labour market testing (if required)
    • Occupation matches ANZSCO duties
  3. Ongoing obligations
    • Pay agreed salary
    • Maintain employment records
    • Notify changes within 28 days
    • Cooperate with monitoring

Labour Market Testing

Current requirements:

  • Advertise for 4 weeks minimum
  • Use approved platforms
  • Include salary information
  • Consider Australian applicants
  • Validity: 4 months (6 months pending)

Worker Requirements

General Eligibility

All applicants must:

  • Have employer sponsorship
  • Meet stream-specific salary threshold
  • Possess 1+ years relevant experience
  • Pass health examinations
  • Meet character requirements
  • Hold required skills assessment (if applicable)

English Requirements

Minimum standards vary by occupation:

  • Most occupations: Competent English (IELTS 6.0 overall)
  • Trade occupations: May have concessions
  • Professional roles: Often require higher scores

Check specific requirements in our PTE Score Requirements guide.

Work Experience

Reduced from 2 years to 1 year:

  • Must be in nominated occupation
  • Full-time equivalent (38 hours/week)
  • Can include part-time/casual work
  • Within last 5 years
  • Verifiable with references

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Application Process

Step 1: Employer Sponsorship

  1. Apply for Standard Business Sponsorship (if needed)
  2. Valid for 5 years
  3. Can sponsor multiple workers
  4. Processing: 1-3 months

Step 2: Nomination Application

  1. Employer nominates specific position
  2. Provide position details and justification
  3. Evidence of labour market testing
  4. Processing: 1-2 months

Step 3: Visa Application

  1. Worker applies after nomination approval
  2. Submit all supporting documents
  3. Complete health/character checks
  4. Processing varies by stream:
    • Specialist: 7 days
    • Core Skills: 21-47 days
    • Labour Agreement: Varies

Pathways to Permanent Residency

186 Direct Entry Stream

After 2 years on 482 visa:

  • Same employer not required
  • Age under 45
  • Competent English
  • Positive skills assessment
  • Occupation on CSOL

Transition Timing

  • Work 2 years in Australia
  • Any approved sponsor counts
  • Apply before turning 45
  • Processing: 3-5 months

Our fastest visa processing guide explains PR pathway timelines.

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Recent Changes and Benefits

Worker Mobility

  • 180 days to find new sponsor if unemployed
  • Can work for other employers during grace period
  • Previous 60-day limit extended significantly
  • Reduces vulnerability to exploitation

Simplified Requirements

  • Work experience reduced to 1 year
  • Occupation list expanded to 456 positions
  • Processing times improved
  • Documentation requirements streamlined

Enhanced Protections

  • Sponsors cannot restrict job changes
  • Clear complaint mechanisms
  • Improved monitoring systems
  • Better worker rights awareness

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Incorrect salary calculations - Include only base salary
  2. Inadequate LMT - Follow all advertising requirements
  3. Wrong occupation selection - Match ANZSCO exactly
  4. Delayed applications - Apply before threshold increases
  5. Poor documentation - Verify all claims thoroughly

Professional Support Benefits

Navigating employer sponsorship requires expertise:

  • Correct stream selection
  • Salary threshold compliance
  • LMT strategy optimization
  • Documentation preparation
  • PR pathway planning

Desire Immigration specializes in employer sponsorship, with registered migration agent Mrs. Manisha Bhutani guiding both employers and workers through successful applications.

Key Takeaways

  1. Three pathways suit different skill levels and salaries
  2. Reduced requirements make sponsorship more accessible
  3. Clear PR pathways provide long-term certainty
  4. Industry focus on construction, automotive, and hospitality
  5. Professional guidance ensures compliance and success

The Skills in Demand visa revolutionizes employer sponsorship, offering better outcomes for Australian businesses and international workers. Understanding requirements and choosing the right pathway determines success.

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Note: Visa requirements change regularly. Information current as of July 2025. Verify details with Department of Home Affairs before applying.