Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) — strategy + stream selection

On 7 December 2024, the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the previous Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa structure. The new framework has THREE streams (replacing the old short-term + medium-term split):

  (1) SPECIALIST SKILLS STREAM — for workers earning ≥AUD 135,000 (Specialist Skills Income Threshold / SSIT). Fast-track processing (7-day median target). No occupation list restriction. Direct PR pathway after 2 years.

  (2) CORE SKILLS STREAM — for workers earning ≥AUD 73,150 (Core Skills Income Threshold / CSIT). Must be on Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). PR pathway available.

  (3) LABOUR AGREEMENT STREAM — for workers under industry / project-specific labour agreements. Bespoke terms.

Three-stage application process:

  Stage 1 — Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS): [EMPLOYER_NAME] must be approved as sponsor (or use Accredited Sponsor pathway)
  Stage 2 — Nomination: [EMPLOYER_NAME] nominates [CLIENT_NAME] for the specific occupation + role
  Stage 3 — Visa application: [CLIENT_NAME] applies for the visa

Draft Subclass 482 (SID) strategy for [CLIENT_NAME] employed at [EMPLOYER_NAME] as [OCCUPATION_TITLE] (ANZSCO [ANZSCO_CODE]) at AUD [ANNUAL_SALARY_AUD] in [WORK_LOCATION].

§1 — STREAM ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION (200-250 words)

Compare [ANNUAL_SALARY_AUD] to:
  • SSIT (AUD 135,000): if salary ≥ SSIT → Specialist Skills Stream available
  • CSIT (AUD 73,150): if salary ≥ CSIT but < SSIT → Core Skills Stream (with CSOL check)
  • Below CSIT: not eligible for standard SID; consider Labour Agreement OR another visa class

For [ANZSCO_CODE]:
  • If Specialist Skills Stream: any ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 occupation (no list restriction)
  • If Core Skills Stream: must be on current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
  • Verify [ANZSCO_CODE] is on CSOL at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Recommended stream for [CLIENT_NAME]: [Specialist / Core / Labour Agreement]
Justification: [based on salary + ANZSCO + employer context]

Stream advantages:

Specialist Skills (SSIT ≥AUD 135,000):
  • Fastest processing (median 7 days target)
  • No occupation list constraint
  • Direct ENS (186) PR pathway after 2 years
  • Less administrative burden

Core Skills (CSIT ≥AUD 73,150):
  • Wider talent pool eligible
  • CSOL list-based occupation restriction
  • ENS PR pathway after 2 years
  • Standard processing (~1-3 months)

Labour Agreement:
  • Bespoke terms negotiated with DHA
  • Suitable for industry-wide skills shortages, regional employers, specialist projects
  • Slower setup (6-12 months for agreement negotiation)

§2 — SPONSORSHIP REQUIREMENTS (180-220 words)

[EMPLOYER_NAME] requires:

For Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS):
  • Active Australian business registered with ABN
  • Lawfully operating for ≥12 months
  • No adverse history (compliance / labour law)
  • Commitment to recruit Australian workers (Genuine Need + LMT — Labour Market Testing)
  • SAF (Skilling Australians Fund) levy:
    - Small business (turnover <AUD 10M): AUD 1,200/year per nominee
    - Other: AUD 1,800/year per nominee
  • SBS validity: 5 years (auto-extended in some cases)
  • Sponsorship obligations: must keep records 5 years, may be subject to monitoring

For Accredited Sponsor (alternative):
  • Stricter criteria; reserved for established employers with strong compliance history
  • Faster processing for nominations + visas
  • Reduced LMT requirements
  • Annual reporting obligations

For [EMPLOYER_NAME]:
  • Confirm current SBS status (active vs new application)
  • Confirm ANZSCO [ANZSCO_CODE] is within sponsor's scope
  • Calculate SAF levy based on business size

§3 — LABOUR MARKET TESTING (LMT) (180-220 words)

LMT requirement: [EMPLOYER_NAME] must demonstrate genuine attempt to recruit Australian workers before nominating [CLIENT_NAME].

For most ANZSCO occupations:
  • Advertise on at least 3 platforms for at least 28 days
  • One of: Workforce Australia, LinkedIn jobs, Indeed, JobBank, JobActive
  • Including: occupation title, salary, location, contact, role description matching ANZSCO duties
  • Within 6 months of nomination submission

LMT exemptions (verify current):
  • Specialist Skills Stream — generally exempt
  • International Trade Obligations (ITO) under CAFTA, JAEPA, KAFTA, etc.
  • Major investments
  • Some intra-corporate transferees

For [ANZSCO_CODE]: confirm LMT exemption applicable; if not, [EMPLOYER_NAME] must complete LMT before nomination.

§4 — KEY DATES + PROCESSING (130-160 words)

Stage 1 (SBS application): 4-12 weeks for new SBS approval; ongoing for existing
Stage 2 (Nomination): 1-4 weeks
Stage 3 (Visa application):
  • Specialist Skills: 7-day median target
  • Core Skills: 1-3 months
  • Labour Agreement: varies

Visa fees (verify current — December 2024):
  • Specialist Skills: AUD 1,495 (worker)
  • Core Skills: AUD 1,495 (worker)
  • SAF levy paid by employer at nomination
  • Plus spouse / dependents fees (separate calculation)

Visa duration:
  • Specialist Skills: 4 years
  • Core Skills: 4 years (some 2-year if related to short-term)
  • Labour Agreement: per agreement

§5 — POST-VISA PR PATHWAY (60-80 words)

After 2 years of work with [EMPLOYER_NAME] on SID:
  • Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme — Direct Entry / Temporary Residence Transition
  • TRT stream available after 2-3 years (depending on occupation tier)
  • PR with employer sponsorship + nominated occupation
  • Pathways to Australian citizenship after 4 years of legal residence (with PR for 12+ months immediately preceding application)

End with: "DRAFT SUBCLASS 482 (SID) STRATEGY — for MARN-registered agent review. December 2024 reform replaced TSS with SID — verify current stream + threshold figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. SAF levy is non-refundable; [EMPLOYER_NAME] should budget."