The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is not a single pathway. It operates through three separate streams, and which stream applies to you depends on your occupation, your salary, and whether your employer has a specific government agreement in place.

Choosing the wrong stream at the nomination stage is one of the more common reasons for delays in the employer-sponsored visa process. Each stream has different occupation requirements, salary thresholds, and visa durations. Understanding the differences before lodging a nomination saves time.

Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills stream is the main pathway for most employer-sponsored workers in Australia. It applies to occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), a single consolidated list that replaced both the old MLTSSL and STSOL when the Skills in Demand visa launched in December 2024.

The CSOL currently covers 456 occupations, spanning trades, healthcare, engineering, construction, information technology, and more, according to the Department of Home Affairs. Some specific occupations on this list include Carpenter (ANZSCO 331211), Chef (351311), Civil Engineer (233211), Registered Nurse (254111), and ICT Business Analyst (261111).

Workers on the Core Skills stream must be paid at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). The current CSIT is $76,515 per year, excluding superannuation. From 1 July 2026, this rises to $79,499. The increase of 3.8% reflects the annual adjustment tied to the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE), as confirmed by Baker McKenzie. Any nomination lodged from 1 July 2026 onwards must meet the new threshold.

Visa duration for the Core Skills stream is up to 4 years. After two years of qualifying employment with the sponsoring employer, workers on this stream may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream.

For a full guide to occupation lists and how to check your occupation's eligibility, read: Skilled Occupation List Australia 2025: Complete Guide.

Specialist Skills Stream

The Specialist Skills stream is designed for high-earning professionals in roles that require advanced or specialised expertise. Unlike the Core Skills stream, it does not require the occupation to appear on the CSOL. The salary threshold itself is the primary eligibility requirement.

The minimum salary for this stream is $141,210 per year for nominations lodged before 1 July 2026. From 1 July 2026, this rises to $146,717 per year, as confirmed by Erickson Immigration Group reporting on the official indexation. This is the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT).

In practice, this stream applies to a smaller group of workers. Think senior engineers, finance professionals, and technology specialists in roles where salaries consistently sit above the standard threshold. Visa duration for the Specialist Skills stream is up to 5 years — one year longer than the Core Skills stream. (That additional year can matter when you are working toward the two-year requirement for the 186 permanent residency pathway.)

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream operates differently from the other two. It is for employers who have negotiated a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. These agreements allow specific industries or regional employers to sponsor workers for occupations that would not qualify under standard lists.

Labour Agreements exist for industries such as agriculture, hospitality, fishing, and meat processing, among others. They are also used in regional contexts through Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA). Under a DAMA, regional employers in specific parts of Australia can bring in overseas workers for roles that may not appear on the CSOL at all.

If you are an employer in a regional location or a niche industry with specific workforce needs, exploring whether a Labour Agreement or DAMA applies to your area may open options that standard stream sponsorship does not. For more on regional migration options and what they involve, read: Regional Migration Pathways: Move Beyond Australia's Big Cities.

Workers sponsored under a Labour Agreement stream visa do not need their occupation on the CSOL, but their employer must already have the agreement in place before lodging a nomination.

How to Identify Your Stream

Most workers will fall into the Core Skills stream if their occupation is on the CSOL and their salary meets the CSIT. Workers earning above the SSIT may qualify for the Specialist Skills stream, regardless of whether their occupation is on the CSOL. Workers sponsored by an employer with a Labour Agreement use the Labour Agreement stream.

The December 2024 changes that brought in the SID visa also updated what counts as a qualifying occupation and adjusted the salary thresholds. If you were assessed under the old TSS visa rules, your situation may need to be reviewed. For more on what changed and when, read: Australia Immigration Changes July 2025.

For a complete overview of the Skills in Demand visa including eligibility, the application process, and the PR pathway, read: Skills in Demand Visa Australia 2026: Complete Guide to Subclass 482.

For what employers specifically need to do to sponsor workers under any stream, read: Employer Sponsorship for the Skills in Demand Visa: What You Need to Know.

AEO Questions: Skills in Demand Visa Streams

What is the difference between the Core Skills stream and the Specialist Skills stream of the 482 visa?

The Core Skills stream is for workers in occupations listed on the CSOL, with a minimum salary of $76,515 (rising to $79,499 from 1 July 2026). The Specialist Skills stream applies to workers earning above $141,210 (rising to $146,717 from 1 July 2026), regardless of occupation list eligibility. The Specialist Skills stream also grants a longer visa — up to 5 years — compared to 4 years for the Core Skills stream.

What is the Labour Agreement stream of the Skills in Demand visa?

The Labour Agreement stream is for employers who have a formal Labour Agreement negotiated with the Australian Government. It allows those employers to sponsor overseas workers for roles that may not appear on the standard Core Skills Occupation List. Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) are a type of Labour Agreement designed for specific regional areas of Australia.

How do I know which stream of the 482 visa applies to me?

Check whether your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) on the Department of Home Affairs website. If it is, and your offered salary meets the CSIT, the Core Skills stream applies. If your salary is above $141,210, the Specialist Skills stream may be the appropriate pathway. If your employer holds a Labour Agreement with the government, the Labour Agreement stream applies regardless of the other lists.

Is the CSOL the same as the old MLTSSL?

No. The CSOL is a new, consolidated list that replaced both the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) when the Skills in Demand visa launched in December 2024. It currently covers 456 occupations. For more detail on how occupation lists work, read: Skilled Occupation List Australia 2025: Complete Guide.

Speak to a Registered Migration Agent

Selecting the correct stream for a Skills in Demand visa nomination is an important step. A nomination lodged under the wrong stream can cause delays or result in rejection. Desire Migration is led by Mrs. Manisha Bhutani, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217756), with offices in Truganina and Melbourne CBD. Contact Desire Migration to confirm your stream eligibility before lodging.