The Australian government replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa with the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa in November 2023. While the visa number remains 482, the changes are significant.
Three Streams — Not One
The new 482 visa has three distinct streams:
Core Skills Stream — covers 456 occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Minimum salary: AUD $76,515 per year (increasing to $79,499 from 1 July 2026).
Specialist Skills Stream — open to any occupation, provided the salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of AUD $141,210 per year. No occupation list restriction applies.
Labour Agreement Stream — for employers with an approved labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.
Faster Pathway to Permanent Residency
One of the most important changes: the wait time for transitioning from a 482 visa to a permanent 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) has been reduced from 3 years to 2 years.
Even better — this 2-year period is now portable across employers. If you change jobs, your time does not reset. Work experience accumulated with different sponsors all counts toward your 2-year requirement.
Salary Thresholds Increasing in July 2026
From 1 July 2026, minimum salary thresholds will increase: - Core Skills Stream: $76,515 → $79,499 - Specialist Skills Stream: $141,210 → $146,717
Nominations lodged before 1 July 2026 will be assessed under current thresholds.
What This Means For You
If you are currently on a 482 visa or considering applying, the Skills in Demand changes open up new opportunities — particularly the Specialist Skills Stream for high earners and the shorter PR pathway.
Every situation is different. Book a free assessment with our MARA registered migration agent to understand your specific options under the new framework.