If you’re considering migrating to Australia as a skilled worker, one of the most common questions is: Should I apply for the Temporary Core Skills 482 Visa or go straight for the 186 Direct Entry Permanent Residency Visa?

In short, if you meet the requirements for the 186 Visa, going straight to permanent residency is often the best path. But not everyone qualifies immediately—and that’s where the temporary 482 Visa becomes a valuable stepping stone to living and working in Australia.

In this blog, we’ll explain what each visa involves, their pros and cons, and how to decide which one fits your situation best.

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Requirement for the 482 Visa and the 186 Direct Entry Visa

To apply for 482 or 186 visas, you must have an Australian employer to sponsor and nominate you.

We know this can be difficult—especially if you’re currently overseas—but it’s not impossible. Thousands of skilled workers secure employer sponsorship in Australia every year.

We’ve created a video and a blog with tips on how to find a sponsor in Australia to assist you in this journey. 

Skills in Demand 482 Visa – Temporary Visa with Permanent Residency Pathway

The Skills in Demand 482 Visa (Core Skills Stream) allows you to live and work in Australia for up to four years. It is a more accessible option for many skilled workers and enables them to start working in Australia sooner.

482 Visa Requirements:

1. Have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List – There are 456 eligible occupations including Registered Nurse, Civil Engineer, Chef, ICT Business Analyst, Marketing Specialist, Content Creator, Agricultural Technician and Mechanic.

2. Skills Assessment often not required (unless you're a tradesperson or applying for certain administrative roles).

3. Have at least 1 year of work experience in the last 5 years.

4. Lower English requirement – IELTS 5.0 or PTE 36

5. No age limit – There is no age limit to apply for a 482 visa. We’ve seen applicants over 45 successfully obtain and renew 482 visas for years. However, to apply for permanent residency, the applicant must be under 45 years old (unless exemptions apply).

186 Direct Entry Visa – Permanent Residency Visa

The 186 Visa (Direct Entry stream) grants permanent residency from the day it is approved.

186 Direct Entry Visa Requirements: 

1. Occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List – This is the same occupation list used for the 482 visa.

2. Full Skills Assessment by the relevant assessing authority.

3. At least 3 years of full-time, post-qualification work experience.

4. Competent English – IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50.

5. Under 45 years of age – with limited exemptions available.

If you’re a recent graduate, or your work history is informal and you don’t have solid references, you might not meet these requirements yet.

Side-by-Side Comparison – 482 Visa vs 186 Visa

Transitioning from Temporary 482 Visa to 186 Permanent Residency 

If you begin on a 482 visa, you can later transition to permanent residency through the 186 Visa Temporary Residence Transition Stream.

To do this, you’ll need:

• At least 2 years of full-time work on a 482 Visa

• An employer to nominate you for a 186 Visa Temporary Transition Stream 

• Competent English: IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50

• To be under 45 years old at the time of application

This pathway makes the 482 visa a stepping stone to PR for those who don’t yet meet the 186 Direct Entry criteria.

What If You’re Over 45 or Not on the Core Skills List?

If you’re over 45 or your occupation isn’t on the Core Skills List, you may still have options—particularly through Labour Agreements like the DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreements).

These agreements:

• Offer more flexible age limits (up to 55 years old)

• Include a wider range of occupations (e.g. truck drivers, horticultural workers, carers)

• May allow for lower English levels

Which Visa Is Right for You? 482 or 186 Visa? 

If you:

• Have a positive skills assessment

• Have 3+ years of experience

• Are under 45

Then the 186 Direct Entry is likely the best option for you.

But if you don’t yet meet the above criteria and need to start working in Australia sooner, then the 482 visa is a strong, flexible option that can lead to Permanent Residency after two years. 

Applying for a 482 or 186 visa

Our team of experienced migration professionals can help you:

• Assess your eligibility

• Understand your visa options

• Prepare a tailored visa strategy

Contact us or book an appointment to discuss your situation. 

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Sources: 

482 Visa Core Skills Stream: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-visa-subclass-482/core-skills-stream

186 Visa Direct Entry: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/employer-nomination-scheme-186/direct-entry-stream

186 Visa Temporary Residence Transition Stream: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/employer-nomination-scheme-186/temporary-residence-transition-stream

We understand how frustrating it can be when you're waiting on a visa decision. Many applicants expect a quick turnaround after submitting their 482 Visa application, only to find themselves waiting months with little to no updates.

In this blog, we’ll break down the current processing times for both the older Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa and the new Skills in Demand (SID) 482 Visa. 

We’ll also explain what might be causing delays, how priority processing works, and what steps you can take if your visa is taking longer than expected.

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Which type of 482 Visa have you applied for? 

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa was accepting applications up until 6 December 2024 after which it closed. The new Skills in Demand (SID) 482 Visa opened on 7 December 2024.

Therefore, applicants who applied before 7 December 2024 are awaiting a decision on the old TSS 482 Visa, while those who applied on or after 7 December 2024 are waiting for a decision on the SID 482 Visa.

Processing times for old TSS 482 Visa applications are longer

The standard processing times for the TSS 482 Visa for the Medium- and Short-Term Streams are currently, at the time of writing, as follows:

• 50% processed in 5 months

• 90% processed in 9 months

Processing times for Skills in Demand (SID) 482 Visa applications are shorter

Processing times for the Skills in Demand 482 Visa are currently reported by the Department of Home Affairs as:

Core Skills Stream

• 50% processed in 51 days

• 90% processed in 3 months

This means that 10% of applications are taking longer than 3 months—sometimes much longer.

Specialist Skills Stream

• 50% processed in 8 days

• 90% processed in 67 days

482 Visa priority processing times

There are also several other considerations that affect 482 Visa processing times, such as the occupation you’ve applied for. Under Direction 105, processing priorities are assigned as follows:

Priority 1: Employer-sponsored visas for occupations to be carried out in a designated regional area

 
Priority 2: Visas related to healthcare or teaching occupations

 
Priority 3: Employer-sponsored visas where the applicant is nominated by an approved sponsor with Accredited Status

 
Priority 4: Permanent and temporary visa subclasses that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa

 
Priority 5: All other visa applications

If you fall under Priority 5, your application may take longer to be processed.

Accredited sponsors

Nominations and visa applications from accredited sponsors are generally processed faster. From an employer’s perspective, applying to become an accredited sponsor can significantly reduce processing times.

Long processing times may lead to refusals

If your application is taking significantly longer than the standard processing times, it may be undergoing additional checks. Depending on the findings by the Department of Home Affairs, there may be further information requests—or in some cases, the application may be refused.

Make sure all required information has been provided, and that your medical examinations and character requirements have been completed, as these are crucial to visa processing.

What can I do if my 482 Visa is taking longer than standard processing times?

You may wish to follow up with your Registered Migration Agent (RMA) or Immigration Lawyer for an update.

Contact us if you need any assistance. 

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Sources

Visa Processing Times: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times

Direction 105: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/skilled-visa-processing-priorities

Welcome to the May 2025 edition of Australian Immigration News from Work Visa Lawyers! In this blog, we will cover the following topics:

• What is expected from the Australian Federal Election results?

• Which states are still open this financial year for the 190 visa and 491 visa?

• When will the next 189 invitation round happen?

• Increase in Student and Training Visa refusals

• Minimum salary for sponsorship increasing

• Visa application fees increasing

• 188 Business Visa extension

• Visa processing times

Visa Grants and Invitations

Before we begin with the news, we’d like to share some recent visa grants and invitations:

Visa grants:

• 482 visas granted for Cooks, Chefs, Diesel Motor Mechanics, Motor Mechanics, and Occupational Health and Safety Adviser

• 186 visas granted under both Transition Pathway and Direct Entry

• DAMA visa issued in agriculture for a Production Horticulturist

• 408 Temporary Activity visas granted for entertainment industry applicants

• Global Talent visa grant

South Australian state nominations:

• Registered Nurse – 65 points, 491 visa

• ICT Customer Support Officer – 75 points, 190 visa

• Chef in regional SA – 70 points, 491 visa

Federal Election: What Does It Mean for Immigration?

Anthony Albanese was re-elected on 5 May, and with this result, we expect the Migration Strategy announced by Labor in December 2023 to continue. This includes proposed reforms to the points test for the 189 visa, 190 visa, and 491 visa, as well as potential changes in regional migration.

I’ve posted a full video discussing the federal election results — Please check the video on our YouTube channel. 

The Prime Minister has also announced the composition of his new ministry, with no major changes in the Immigration and Citizenship portfolio:

Tony Burke MP remains the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Next 189 Invitation Round

Many people are asking when the next 189 visa invitation round will take place. We believe it may be around August or September, as we’re nearing the end of the financial year. 

The last round was in November 2024, when the government issued 15,000 invitations for the 189 visa.

190 and 491 Visa Updates

With the financial year ending in June 30, here’s a summary of the current state nomination status:

Victoria: Closed

Northern Territory: Partially closed (only accepting onshore applicants with visas expiring before 1 July 2025)

Tasmania: Partially closed

491 Overseas (Job Offer) pathway: Closed

190 Health Sector pathway: Open

From 5:00 PM on Monday, 19 May 2025, ROIs will only be accepted from candidates who have been allocated a Gold Pass

New South Wales: Partially closed

Pathway 1 for the 491 visa (employer sponsorship) is closed

Other 190 and 491 pathways remain open

Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and ACT: Still open

If you are not receiving an invitation, look into other visa options like the 482 or 186 employer-sponsored visas. 

On our YouTube channel, we have videos explaining the 482 visa and 186 visa, as well as a video with tips on how to find a sponsor.

Minimum Salary for Sponsorship Increasing

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) or Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is increasing from $73,150 to $76,515 on 1 July 2025.

This affects new applications for the 482, 186, and 494 visas.

This change may make it harder for occupations like Chefs and Childcare Workers to be sponsored, as their salaries often fall below the new threshold.

Visa Application Fees Increasing

Visa fees will also increase from 1 July 2025 — as they do every financial year.

If you want to avoid higher application costs, consider lodging your visa before 1 July.

Student and 407 Visa Refusals Increasing

Student Visa Refusals:

According to recent data, of 39,594 appeals lodged with the ART in early 2025, 24,131 were student visa refusals. The likely explanation is that Student visa refusal rates have risen due to new government efforts to reduce net migration.

To improve your chances, make sure your application reflects that you meet the genuine student criteria. 

Check our Genuine Student page for more information.

Training Visa Refusals: 

The 407 Training Visa is also seeing more refusals. Previously, around 92% of 407 visas were granted, based on a Freedom of Information request from late 2024 — but that has now changed.

The issues could be with any of the three stages of the Training visa: Sponsorship, Nomination, and Visa.

Refusals may be due to:

• Not being a genuine training applicant (e.g., applying only because a Graduate Visa isn’t an option)

• No clear training plan

Appeal options may vary with the 407 Training Visa.Sometimes there is the ability to appeal to the ART, however, there may be circumstances where there is no path to appeal.

Seek tailored advice if planning to apply for a Training Visa.

188 Visa Extension

We’ve received an increasing number of inquiries about 188 visa extensions. This is mostly due to COVID-19 disruptions and delays in business progression.

Some visa holders now need more time to meet the criteria for the 888 Permanent Residency visa.

If you or someone you know is seeking an extension, remember:

• You’ll need strong evidence of business activity

• You’ll also need state sponsorship

Don’t leave it to the last minute — preparation is key.

Visa Processing Times

In recent months, we’ve heard concerns about delays in visa processing. Here are the current average times:

Do you need help with you visa application?

If you need assistance with your visa application, contact our team at Work Visa Lawyers. We’re here to guide you through every step.

Many visa applicants get confused when they want their partner to join their temporary visa and assume it is a Partner Visa, but it is actually a Subsequent Entrant Visa.

A Subsequent Entrant Visa allows family members to join the primary visa holder in Australia.

This option is available across various visas such as the Skills in Demand  sc-482 visa, a student visa sc-500, a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) 494 visa, or a Temporary Graduate sc-485 visa, and many other temporary visas, offering a pathway for dependent family members such as spouses, de facto partners, and dependent children to join the primary applicant's visa.

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Subsequent Entrant vs Partner Visa

A subsequent entrant visa is different to a Partner Visa. A Partner Visa is only for those in a relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.   

We have videos on Partner visas including the Onshore, offshore and Fiancee Visa on our YouTube channel.

In this blog, we will explain what a subsequent entrant visa which allow you to add your partner and dependent children to some temporary visas. 

We will be providing information in relation to:

• who can apply as a subsequent entrant?
• the different situations in which someone may enter Australia as a subsequent entrant
• what is involved in adding people who are already in Australia on a different visa.

Who Can Apply for a Subsequent Entrant Visa?

The eligibility criteria depend on the specific visa subclass but generally apply to:

• Spouses and de facto partners of the primary visa holder
• Dependent children under a certain age (usually under 23)
• Other eligible dependents, such as family members who rely on the primary applicant financially or due to health conditions

Situations Where Someone Can Enter Australia as a Subsequent Entrant

Several visa categories allow for subsequent entrant applications. Below are the most common situations where a person may apply for a subsequent entrant visa.

1. Partner and Family Reunification
   One of the most common reasons for a subsequent entrant visa is when a primary visa holder moves to Australia and their spouse or dependent children join them later.
2. New Marriage or Relationship
   If a primary visa holder was single at the time of their visa application but later got married or entered a de facto relationship, their new spouse or partner may apply for a subsequent entrant visa. This is very common for many temporary visa holders in Australia who arrived single, met someone, started a relationship, and now want this person to be added to their visa.
3. Family Members Unable to Apply Initially
   Sometimes, family members cannot apply for a visa at the same time as the primary applicant due to personal, financial, or documentation issues. They may still be eligible to apply later.
4. Newborn Children Born After Visa Grant 

If one parent holds a temporary visa at the time of your child’s birth:

The visa holder must inform Department of Home Affairs about the child as soon as possible (even if the baby does not have a passport yet) so Department of Home Affairs can determine if the baby can be added to the current visa or any pending visa applications.

If both parents hold a different substantive visa at the time of birth, the child is taken to have been granted one of each of the visas of the same class and on the same terms and conditions as the parents.

For the 482 visa, the child must be included in the sponsorship.

5. Employer-Sponsored Subsequent Entrants
   If a person holds a visa under employer sponsorship, their dependents may join them later as subsequent entrants, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Key Requirements for a Subsequent Entrant Visa

While the specific requirements vary by visa subclass, most subsequent entrant applications require:

• Proof of relationship – Marriage certificates, birth certificates, and evidence of a de facto relationship if applicable. The applicant must be a spouse relationship, either married or de facto. 

For a de facto relationship must be living together for at least one year or have registered a relationship. If the couple is married or have their relationship registered, it is not mandatory having been living together for at least one year.

• Financial capacity – The primary visa holder must show they can support their dependents financially
• Health and character checks – Standard immigration health and background checks apply
• Visa validity – The primary visa holder must still hold a valid visa at the time of the subsequent entrant’s application

How much will a subsequent entrant visa application cost?  

The cost of a subsequent entrant visa application in Australia varies depending on the specific visa subclass. The subsequent entrant will have to pay the same fee as the main applicant.  

How much will it cost to add my newborn child to my visa?

In most cases, no costs apply for adding a newborn child to your visa. However, you must inform the Department of Home Affairs, and the baby will be added to your visa.

Can I add a subsequent entrant while I’m waiting for my 491 or 190 visa to be granted?

If you claimed points as single, you cannot add someone to your visa while waiting for it to be granted. However, if you claimed points for having a partner but, for some reason, they did not join your visa at the time of application, you may be able to add them later.

Can I add someone to my 491 visa after it has been granted if I claimed points as single?

Yes, you can, but you must provide evidence that your relationship started after your visa application when you claimed single points.

Contact Work Visa Lawyers

If you need assistance with a subsequent entrant visa application, please contact one of our immigration lawyers our migration agents.

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The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is an important visa pathway to permanent residency for many people in Australia, especially those over 45 and under 55 years old. 

There are skill shortages across various industries such as health, agriculture, and hospitality.  The South Australian DAMA provides a wider range of occupations, and concessions on age, salary, English, and work experience for visa applicants. 

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What is the South Australia DAMA? 

The South Australia DAMA is a labour agreement between the Australian Government and businesses in South Australia.  

It is designed to address local skill shortages by allowing employers in South Australia to sponsor overseas workers under more flexible conditions than standard employer-sponsored visas. 

South Australia has two DAMAs, covering different regions and industries: 

•        Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement DAMA – focuses on tech, creative industries, and advanced manufacturing 
•        South Australian Regional Workforce DAMA – covers industries such as healthcare, agribusiness, tourism, construction, and hospitality 

Some common occupations that apply for DAMA in South Australia include: 

•        Child care workers
•        Aged or disability Carers 
•        Horticulture workers 
•        Chefs and Cooks
•        Hospitality Workers
•        A range of ICT occupations
•        Production operators
•        Truck Drivers
•        Nurses over 45 years old 

What Are the Visa Options Under the South Australia DAMA? 

There are three different employer-sponsored visas available under DAMA: 

•        482 Skills in Demand Visa – a temporary visa that can lead to permanent residency after two years if the employer nominates the visa holder for a Subclass 186 visa (Temporary Residence Transition Stream) 
•        494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa – a provisional visa leading to permanent residency after three years by applying for the 191 visa. 
•      186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Labour Agreement) visa – a permanent visa that employers can nominate 482 visa holders for, after they have worked in the occupation for 3 years

These visas help employers fill critical skill shortages while providing a pathway to permanent residency for skilled migrants. 

What Are the DAMA Concessions? 

•        Age Concession up to 55 – Some occupations have no age concession, or the concession may be only under 50  
•        Salary Concession – some DAMAs allow for up to 10% reduction in the minimum salary requirement. For example, while a standard employer-sponsored visa requires a minimum salary of $73,150, under DAMA, businesses can sponsor workers at $65,835 per year.  These amounts will change every year as the TSMIT and Core Skills Threshold go up.
•        English Concession – some DAMA occupations have lower English language requirements than standard employer-sponsored visas  
•        Work Experience Concession – the required work experience period is lower than in standard employer-sponsored visas. For example, a Subclass 494 visa usually requires at least three years of full-time experience, but under some DAMAs, applicants can qualify with just 12 months of experience 

Industries Covered by the South Australia DAMA 

The South Australia DAMA supports a wide range of occupations across key industries, including: 

•        Healthcare and aged care 
•        Agriculture and agribusiness 
•        Construction and trades 
•        Hospitality and tourism 
•        Manufacturing and engineering 
•        Technology and innovation 

Each DAMA agreement includes a list of eligible occupations, and some roles may be eligible for age, English, and salary concessions. 

We recently had DAMA visas granted for occupations such as sommelier, horticulture worker, aged and disabled carer and electronic engineering draftsperson. 

Who is Eligible for the South Australia DAMA? 

To apply under the South Australia DAMA, you must meet certain criteria, including: 

•        An eligible occupation listed under the South Australia DAMA agreement 
•        A job offer from a South Australian employer 
•        Relevant skills and experience in your occupation 
•        English language requirements (concessions may apply) 
•        Receiving at least the minimum salary required (concessions may apply) 

Unlike standard employer-sponsored visas, DAMA allows for more flexible eligibility, especially for older applicants, those with lower English proficiency, and those earning slightly below the standard TSMIT. 

How to Apply for a South Australia DAMA Visa 

The DAMA visa process involves several steps: 

1.      Find a South Australian Employer to Sponsor you – you must have a job offer from an approved employer in an eligible DAMA occupation 

2.      Employer Applies for DAMA Endorsement – your employer must get approval from the South Australian Government to sponsor workers under DAMA 

3.      Labour Agreement Application – the employer enters into a labour agreement with the Australian Government 

4.      Nomination & Visa Application – once the agreement is approved, the employer nominates you, and you can apply for the visa through the Department of Home Affairs 

Why to apply for a South Australia DAMA? 

The South Australia DAMA is an excellent opportunity for skilled and semi-skilled migrants who want to work and settle in regional South Australia. 

With greater flexibility, employer sponsorship, and pathways to permanent residency, it is an attractive option for those who may not qualify under standard visa programs. 

Regional areas usually also offer benefits such as lower cost of living and good job opportunities for some industries.  

If you are looking to apply for a DAMA in South Australia or across Australia, please book an appointment to discuss your situation. 

DAMA in other states

There are 13 DAMAS in Australia including:

-          All of Western Australia

-          All of Northen Territory

-          All of South Australia

-          Much of New South Wales through the ORANA DAMA

-          Some of Victoria

-          Some of Queensland

-          Tasmania and the ACT do not have DAMA

How can we assist you? 

If you are a business, we can help you register your business under a labour agreement and assist with visa applications for your employees. 
If you are an individual, we can assist with your visa application. 

Please book an appointment to discuss your situation in more detail.

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How to find an employer to sponsor you? 

We don’t assist applicants in finding an sponsor, however, we have a blog and a YouTube video with tips on how to find a business to sponsor you in Australia.