The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa on December 7, 2024. The visa structure changed completely, introducing three distinct streams with different salary thresholds, occupation requirements, and permanent residency pathways.
Applications submitted before December 7, 2024, continued under the old 482 TSS framework. New applications lodged from December 7, 2024, onwards must meet SID visa requirements. The subclass number remains 482, but the policy framework represents a major reform to employer-sponsored migration.
This guide explains the three SID visa streams, eligibility requirements, required documentation, and pathways to permanent residency. Understanding which stream applies to your situation is critical for successful applications. The new visa structure aims to provide clearer pathways and more flexibility for both employers and workers. For comprehensive information about Australia's migration program, refer to our detailed guide.
Overview of Three SID Visa Streams
The Skills in Demand visa operates through three separate streams, each targeting different skill levels and salary ranges. Your occupation, salary, and employer situation determine which stream applies to your application.
Specialist Skills Stream
The Specialist Skills stream targets senior professionals earning at least $135,000 annually. From July 1, 2025, this threshold increased to $141,210 based on wage indexation. This stream has no occupation list restrictions.
Any occupation in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 qualifies. These groups include managers, professionals, and community and personal service workers. ANZSCO groups 3, 7, and 8 are excluded. This means trades workers, machinery operators, and laborers cannot use the Specialist Skills stream regardless of salary.
The high salary threshold reflects the government's focus on attracting exceptional talent. Specialist Skills stream holders can apply directly for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) after meeting standard requirements. There's no minimum time requirement with the sponsoring employer for PR eligibility.
Processing times for Specialist Skills applications aim for seven days. This fast-track processing recognizes that highly skilled professionals have options globally. Quick processing helps Australia compete for top talent.
Core Skills Stream
The Core Skills stream represents the pathway most applicants will use. It applies to occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which includes 456 occupations across healthcare, construction, IT, education, and trades sectors.
Minimum salary is $76,515 annually, aligned with the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). From July 1, 2025, this increases based on Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. Applicants must earn either the TSMIT or the average market salary rate for their occupation, whichever is higher.
The Core Skills stream requires working for approved sponsors for two years before becoming eligible for permanent residency. However, employment no longer needs to be with a single employer. Work with multiple approved sponsors counts toward the two-year requirement as long as employment remains continuous.
This flexibility represents a major improvement over the previous 482 visa. Workers who lose employment or wish to change employers have 180 days to find new sponsorship, up from 60 days under the old system. During this period, visa holders can work for any employer.
Check if your occupation appears on the skilled occupation list before proceeding with an application. The CSOL is regularly updated based on labor market analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia.
Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement stream continues with minimal changes from the previous 482 framework. It allows employers to negotiate specific arrangements with the Department of Home Affairs when standard streams don't meet their workforce needs.
Terms vary by agreement, including salary thresholds, occupation eligibility, and permanent residency pathways. Labour agreements are typically used by employers in regional areas, specific industries with unique needs, or organizations requiring workers in occupations not covered by standard streams.
The government is developing an Essential Skills stream to eventually replace the Labour Agreement pathway. This new stream will focus on lower-paid essential workers where persistent shortages exist. Implementation timeline hasn't been finalized, so Labour Agreement arrangements continue under existing settings.
Eligibility Criteria and Required Documentation
Meeting eligibility requirements is essential before lodging a SID visa application. Missing even one requirement can lead to refusal.
Work Experience Requirement
All SID visa streams require at least one year of relevant work experience at a skilled level. This is a reduction from the previous two-year requirement under 482 visas. The experience must have been gained within the five years immediately before visa lodgement.
Work experience can be from either Australia or overseas. It must be in the nominated occupation or a closely related field. Casual and part-time work counts toward the one-year requirement when calculated on a full-time equivalent basis.
Some occupations have additional caveats. Fourteen occupational caveats apply across the CSOL. These require specific qualifications, registrations, or experience levels beyond the standard one-year requirement.
Skills Assessment
Skills assessments are mandatory for Core Skills stream applications. The relevant assessing authority for your occupation must provide a positive skills assessment before lodging your visa application.
Different occupations have different assessing authorities. Engineers use Engineers Australia. Accountants use various bodies depending on specialization. Trades workers use TRA (Trades Recognition Australia). Each authority has specific documentation requirements and processing times.
Skills assessments typically take 6-12 weeks but can extend longer for complex cases or when additional information is required. Start the skills assessment process well before you plan to lodge your visa application.
English Language Requirement
All SID visa streams require Competent English minimum. This means PTE Academic 50 overall with component scores 47, 47, 54, 54, or equivalent in other approved English tests.
Some occupations may have higher English requirements set by registration bodies or professional standards. Healthcare occupations often require Proficient English for professional registration even if the visa only requires Competent English.
English test results must be from within three years of visa lodgement. All tests must be taken at approved secure testing centers. Online or remote tests are not accepted.
Employer Sponsor Requirements
Your employer must be an approved sponsor before you can lodge a SID visa application. The sponsorship approval process is separate from the visa application and can take several weeks.
Employers must demonstrate genuine need for the position, inability to fill the role from the local labor market, and commitment to meeting training requirements. The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy applies to most sponsoring employers.
Employers must pay market salary rates and provide employment conditions at least equal to those provided to equivalent Australian workers. The position must be genuine and ongoing.
Complete Documentation Checklist
Essential documents include:
- Valid passport with at least 12 months validity
- Positive skills assessment from relevant authority
- English test results meeting Competent English minimum
- Employment contract or offer letter from approved sponsor
- Work experience evidence (payslips, employment references, tax documents)
- Qualification certificates and academic transcripts
- Health examination results
- Police clearances from all countries lived in for 12+ months since age 16
Additional documents may be required depending on your occupation and individual circumstances. Incomplete applications face delays or refusal.
Permanent Residency Pathways from SID Visa
The SID visa provides clear pathways to permanent residency, a significant improvement over previous arrangements. The pathway varies by stream.
Specialist Skills to Permanent Residency
Specialist Skills stream holders can apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) once they meet standard requirements. There's no minimum employment period required with the sponsoring employer.
Applicants must be under age 45 (age exemptions apply in limited circumstances), hold a positive skills assessment, meet English requirements, and have employer nomination. The high salary requirement of the Specialist Skills stream often exceeds the ENS requirements.
Core Skills to Permanent Residency
Core Skills stream holders must complete two years of full-time employment with approved sponsors before applying for Subclass 186 through the Temporary Residence Transition stream. The employment must be in the same occupation as your SID visa nomination.
Critically, this employment can be with multiple approved sponsors. If you change employers during your SID visa period, the time with each employer counts toward your two-year requirement as long as employment remains continuous.
Brief gaps for unpaid leave don't break continuity. However, extended periods without employment or employment in different occupations may reset the clock. Maintain careful records of all employment to demonstrate continuous service.
Age, English, and skills assessment requirements apply when lodging the permanent residency application. Plan your pathway carefully, particularly regarding age requirements. The ENS visa has an age limit of 45 years with limited exemptions.
Application Process and Timeline
The SID visa application follows a structured process:
- Employer obtains sponsorship approval (if not already approved sponsor)
- Employer lodges nomination application for specific occupation
- Worker lodges visa application linked to approved nomination
- Health examinations and police checks completed
- Department assesses application and makes decision
Processing times vary significantly by stream and individual circumstances. Specialist Skills stream targets seven-day processing. Core Skills stream processing averages 3-6 months. Labour Agreement processing depends on agreement terms.
Visa processing times published by the Department provide general guidance, but individual cases may vary. Complex cases requiring additional verification take longer.
Application fees for SID visa main applicant are $4,770. Additional charges apply for family members. The Skilling Australians Fund levy is paid by the sponsoring employer, not the visa applicant.
Common mistakes that delay applications include incomplete documentation, outdated skills assessments, expired English test results, and errors in employment history. Careful preparation prevents these issues.
Working with a registered migration agent can streamline the process and reduce the risk of errors. Mrs. Manisha Bhutani (MARN 2217756) specializes in employer-sponsored visa applications and can provide expert guidance throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Skills in Demand SID visa?
The Skills in Demand visa is a temporary skilled work visa introduced on December 7, 2024, replacing the 482 TSS visa. It allows skilled workers to stay in Australia for up to four years while providing clear pathways to permanent residency. The visa has three streams: Specialist Skills (salaries $135,000+), Core Skills (salaries $76,515+ in CSOL occupations), and Labour Agreement (negotiated arrangements).
What are the SID visa requirements?
SID visa requirements include one year of relevant work experience at skilled level, positive skills assessment (for Core Skills stream), Competent English minimum, approved employer sponsorship, age under 45 for most streams, health clearances, and character requirements. Salary must meet either $135,000+ for Specialist Skills or $76,515+ for Core Skills. Documentation requirements are extensive and must be complete.
Can I get permanent residency with SID visa?
Yes, both Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams provide pathways to permanent residency through Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. Specialist Skills holders can apply directly. Core Skills holders must complete two years employment with approved sponsors before becoming eligible. Work with multiple sponsors counts toward the requirement as long as employment remains continuous.
What's the difference between SID and 482 visa?
The SID visa replaced the 482 visa with major improvements: only one year work experience required instead of two years, three clearly defined streams instead of short and medium term streams, ability to change employers more easily with 180 days to find new sponsorship, Core Skills Occupation List with 456 occupations instead of separate lists, and clearer permanent residency pathways where employment with multiple sponsors counts toward requirements.
