The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) involves two separate fee obligations. The applicant pays a government visa application charge to the Department of Home Affairs. The employer pays a training contribution called the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. These are different payments, made at different stages, and neither covers the other.

This article explains both costs, what each covers, and what else to budget for beyond the government charges. All information reflects the position as of June 2026.

What Is the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)?

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is a temporary employer-sponsored work visa. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in late 2023 and allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they cannot fill a position from the local labour market.

Three streams are available, and the stream determines salary requirements, eligible occupations, and processing conditions.

Core Skills stream: For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The minimum salary is the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is AU$79,499 per year from 1 July 2026.

Specialist Skills stream: For highly specialised roles. The minimum salary is the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT), which is AU$146,717 per year from 1 July 2026.

Essential Skills stream: For lower-wage occupations in specific industries, subject to labour agreements. Salary and eligibility conditions differ from the other two streams.

Source for July 2026 thresholds: Baker McKenzie, March 2026.

For a full explanation of each stream and eligibility requirements, read our Skills in Demand visa streams guide.

The Applicant's Costs

Visa Application Charge

The applicant pays a visa application charge to the Department of Home Affairs when the application is lodged. The amount depends on the stream applied under, the applicant's nationality, whether the application is online or on paper, and the number of secondary applicants included.

The Department of Home Affairs provides a free official tool for this: the Visa Pricing Estimator. Enter your visa type, stream, passport country, intended lodgment date, and secondary applicant details to receive a personalised figure.

Visa application charges are indexed annually, with changes typically applying from 1 July each financial year. Fee tables on private websites may be out of date. The official estimator reflects the current amount.

Secondary Applicant Charges

Partners and dependent children included in the application attract an additional charge each. Adults and children under 18 are charged at different rates. The official estimator calculates secondary applicant charges automatically when you enter their details.

Skills Assessment

Most applicants for the Skills in Demand visa need a positive skills assessment from an approved assessing authority before they can apply. This fee is paid separately to the relevant authority. Amounts vary by occupation and assessing body. A Registered Migration Agent can confirm which authority applies to your occupation and whether an assessment is required under your stream.

English Language Test

Applicants must meet a minimum English proficiency standard. Accepted tests include PTE Academic, IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL iBT, and LanguageCert Academic, which received approval for Australian visas in August 2025.

Each test charges a registration fee. A second or third attempt adds to the total cost.

Desire Migration offers PTE Academic coaching with on-site practice labs at all three Melbourne offices.

Medical Examination

A health examination with a Department of Home Affairs-approved panel physician is required for most applicants. The physician charges this fee directly. It does not form part of the visa application charge.

Police Clearances

Depending on personal history, applicants may need police clearances from Australia and from other countries where they have lived. Fees vary by country and issuing authority.

Migration Agent Fees

A Registered Migration Agent prepares your application, verifies your documents, and manages communication with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf. Their fee is charged separately and is not included in the visa application charge.

A thorough review of eligibility, occupation, salary, and stream before lodgment gives the application the best foundation. Desire Migration charges a fixed fee of AU$110 for an initial consultation at our Melbourne CBD office.

The Employer's Costs

Standard Business Sponsorship

Before nominating a worker, an employer must hold an approved Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS). A separate application fee applies. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator to find the current charge for the sponsorship application type.

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy

The SAF levy is a training contribution paid by the employer each time a subclass 482 visa is granted or renewed. It is separate from the visa application charge paid by the applicant.

Two factors determine the levy amount: business size and visa duration.

Businesses with annual turnover below AU$10 million pay a lower rate per year of the visa. Businesses above that threshold pay a higher rate per year. The total levy is calculated by multiplying the applicable rate by the number of years of the visa granted.

For the current SAF levy rates, refer to the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Rates are set by legislation and confirmed at the time the visa is granted.

One point worth knowing: the SAF levy is the employer's obligation. Employers cannot pass this cost to the applicant or ask the applicant to contribute to it. Requiring an applicant to pay the SAF levy is a breach of sponsorship obligations.

Salary Obligation

The employer must pay the sponsored worker at or above the minimum salary threshold for the relevant stream. From 1 July 2026:

  • Core Skills stream: AU$79,499 per year (CSIT)
  • Specialist Skills stream: AU$146,717 per year (SSIT)

These figures are verified as of June 2026. Source: Baker McKenzie, March 2026. Both thresholds are indexed annually. Employers should confirm current figures before lodging a nomination.

For a complete overview of employer obligations and the nomination process, read our employer sponsorship guide.

What Neither Fee Covers

Both the visa application charge and the SAF levy are paid to the Department of Home Affairs. Neither includes:

  • Skills assessment fees (paid to the assessing authority)
  • English test fees (paid to the test provider)
  • Medical examination fees (paid to the panel physician)
  • Police clearance fees (paid to relevant authorities)
  • Migration agent fees
  • Nomination application fees (a separate charge from the visa application charge)

For a complete breakdown of every cost category across the main visa pathways, see our Australia visa fees complete guide.

How to Estimate Your Total Cost

For the applicant's government fee, use the official Visa Pricing Estimator. It takes around five minutes and produces a figure specific to your visa type, stream, and circumstances.

Access it here: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the tool, see our visa pricing estimator guide.

For employer costs, the SAF levy calculation depends on business turnover and the visa duration requested. A Registered Migration Agent can calculate both the levy and the total employer cost before the nomination is lodged.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Skills in Demand visa cost in Australia?

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) involves two separate fees. The applicant pays a visa application charge to the Department of Home Affairs at lodgment. The employer pays the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy separately. The exact applicant fee depends on your stream, nationality, and number of secondary applicants. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator to get your specific figure.

Does the employer pay any fees for the 482 visa?

Yes. The employer pays two separate fees: a Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) application fee and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy. The SAF levy is paid each time the visa is granted or renewed. The employer cannot pass the SAF levy cost to the applicant. Requiring the applicant to cover the SAF levy is a breach of sponsorship obligations.

What is the SAF levy?

The SAF levy (Skilling Australians Fund levy) is a training contribution paid by employers who sponsor overseas workers on a subclass 482 visa. The amount depends on the employer's annual turnover and the duration of the visa granted. Businesses with an annual turnover below AU$10 million pay a lower rate. Larger businesses pay a higher rate.

Are visa application charges the same for every 482 applicant?

No. The 482 visa application charge varies depending on the stream (Core Skills, Specialist Skills, or Essential Skills), the applicant's passport country, whether the application is lodged online or on paper, and the number of secondary applicants included. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator for a figure specific to your circumstances.

What other costs are involved in a 482 visa application?

Beyond the government fee, most applicants also pay for a skills assessment, an English language test, a medical examination, and police clearance certificates. These are paid separately to the relevant authority or physician, not the Department of Home Affairs. Migration agent fees are also charged separately.

Plan Your 482 Visa Cost With Desire Migration

The visa application charge is one number in a longer calculation. For applicants, it sits alongside skills assessment, English testing, medical, and agent fees. For employers, it sits alongside the SAF levy, salary obligations, and sponsorship compliance costs.

Desire Migration, led by Manisha Bhutani, a Registered Migration Agent with 15 years of experience (MARN 2217756), has supported over 11,698 clients through Australian visa applications. We work with both applicants and employers across the full 482 sponsorship process, from eligibility review to visa grant.

We operate from three Melbourne offices: CBD (1003/530 Little Collins St), Truganina, and St Albans. In-person and remote consultations are available.

Book a consultation at desiremigration.com.au.