482 Visa Australia: Top 5 Questions Answered
The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa (formerly the TSS 482 Visa) is one of the most common pathways for skilled workers to live and work in Australia. It allows approved employers to sponsor overseas workers for temporary positions when they can’t find suitable Australian candidates.
At Work Visa Lawyers, we receive many questions about the 482 work visa, from requirements and fees to how it can lead to permanent residency.
Here, we answer the five most common questions about the 482 Visa.
What is the 482 Skills in Demand Visa?
The 482 Visa is an employer-sponsored visa that lets skilled workers come to Australia and work for an approved employer.
One of the main benefits of this visa is that it can lead to Permanent Residency (PR) through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa after two years with the sponsoring employer.
There’s no age limit to apply for the 482 visa. However, to transition to PR through the 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream, you must generally:
- Be under 45 years old, and
- Have held a 482 visa for at least two years
Some exemptions may allow applicants over 45 to still apply.
To qualify for the SID 482 visa, your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). You can check the full list on our website.
1. Do I need a skills assessment for a 482 visa?
This depends on your occupation.
- For most professional or degree-level occupations, a skills assessment is not required.
- However, for trade occupations, a skills assessment is often mandatory for applicants from certain countries listed on the TRA 482 list.
- If you hold an Australian trade qualification, a skills assessment is not needed.
Example: If you’re a chef from India, you usually need a skills assessment — unless you studied your qualification in Australia.
Always check the Department of Home Affairs website or seek advice from a migration professional.
2. Can I, as the applicant, pay all the fees for the 482 visa?
Not all of them.
By law, the employer must pay:
- The Standard Business Sponsorship fee (AUD $420)
- The Nomination fee (AUD $330)
- The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, ranging from AUD $1,200 to $1,800 per year, depending on the business turnover.
The visa application charge can be paid by either the applicant or the employer.
The currently fees for the 482 visa are:
- Main applicant: AUD 3,210
- Additional applicant 18 and over: AUD 3,210
- Additional applicant under 18: AUD 808
Be cautious — employers cannot ask you to pay sponsorship or nomination fees. This is a serious breach of Australian migration law under section 245AR of the Migration Act.
If a migration lawyer or registered agent assists with your visa, the employer must pay their professional fees for the sponsorship and nomination stages.
3. How much work experience do I need?
You generally need at least one year of relevant, full-time work experience in your nominated occupation within the last five years.
Part-time or casual work can count if it’s equivalent to one year of full-time experience.
Example: Two years of part-time work equals one year of full-time work.
This requirement ensures you have the practical experience to perform the role you’re being sponsored for.
4. Can I bring my family on the 482 visa?
Yes! You can include your spouse or partner and dependent children as secondary applicants.
They can:
- Work for any employer, in any occupation, with no work hour limits
- Study in Australia (note: some states may charge school fees for children)
This makes the 482 visa a flexible option for families looking to settle in Australia together.
5. How can I find a sponsor?
This is one of the most common questions we receive.
Since the 482 is an employer-sponsored visa, you must find an employer willing to sponsor you.
Finding a sponsor takes strategy, preparation, and persistence.
Here are some tips:
- Understand your visa options and eligibility
- Prepare a strong professional profile (CV, LinkedIn, English test, etc.)
- Target approved sponsors (those registered as Standard Business Sponsors or holding Labour Agreements)
- Build a strong Network
- Look for opportunities in regional areas, where demand is often higher
We don’t assist in finding sponsors, but we have useful resources to help you:
Blog: How to Find an Employer Sponsor in Australia
YouTube Video: Tips on Finding a Sponsor
The Subclass 482 Visa remains one of the best options for skilled professionals who want to work in Australia and it can also be a stepping stone to Permanent Residency through the 186 Visa.
If you’d like personalised advice, book a consultation with our team.
We’re an experienced, multilingual group of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents, based in Adelaide, South Australia, helping clients from all over the world.
