What is the Skills in Demand (SID) visa?
The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) started on 7 December 2024 and replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa. It lets an Australian employer sponsor a skilled overseas worker to fill a genuine shortage, and it gives a clearer route to permanent residency. If you want to work and settle in Australia, it is one of the main visas to understand in 2026.
The three streams
1. Specialist Skills stream
This one is for highly skilled, higher-earning professionals in priority sectors. It has the fastest processing, a higher income threshold, and no occupation-list restriction for eligible roles.
2. Core Skills stream
The main stream for most people. Your occupation has to be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and you need to earn at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which is AUD $73,150 for 2025 to 26 and goes up each year.
3. Labour Agreement stream
For workers sponsored under a formal labour agreement between their employer and the government. It usually covers occupations or arrangements that sit outside the standard streams.
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
One of the better changes is the Core Skills Occupation List, a single list of around 456 occupations that replaces the old MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL. Having one list makes it far easier to check whether your occupation qualifies, and it lines up better with the jobs Australia actually needs.
Key eligibility requirements
- An Australian employer who is an approved standard business sponsor
- An occupation on the CSOL, for the Core Skills stream
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience, down from the old 2-year rule
- Pay that meets the income threshold for your stream
- A skills assessment, where your occupation needs one
- English, health, and character requirements
How the visa helps with PR
Time on a Skills in Demand visa now counts toward the work experience you need for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). You also get more time to find a new sponsor if you change jobs, so overall it is a stronger pathway than the old TSS visa.
Skills in Demand vs the old TSS 482
| Feature | Old TSS 482 | Skills in Demand (482) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation lists | MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL | Single CSOL |
| Work experience | 2 years | 1 year |
| Streams | Short and Medium term | Specialist, Core, Labour Agreement |
| Path to PR | Restricted for some | Clearer for all streams |
Frequently asked questions
Did the 482 visa change?
Yes. From 7 December 2024 the Skills in Demand visa replaced the TSS 482 visa, and brought in three streams and the single Core Skills Occupation List.
What is the Core Skills Income Threshold for 2026?
The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $73,150 for 2025 to 26 and goes up each year. You need to be paid at or above this amount, and no less than the market rate for the role.
Can the Skills in Demand visa lead to permanent residency?
Yes. Time worked on the visa counts toward permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
Look into your sponsored pathway
The registered migration agents at Suvaansh Educational Services in Adelaide can check whether your occupation is on the CSOL, review your eligibility, and guide both you and your sponsoring employer through the process. Book a free consultation today.