Find a 482 Visa (Skills in Demand) Agent

482 Visa Streams and the Skills in Demand Transition

The 482 visa historically had Short-term, Medium-term, and Labour Agreement streams based on occupation lists. Australia is progressively transitioning to the Skills in Demand framework, which introduces salary-based thresholds instead: the Core Skills stream covers salaries between $73,150 and $135,000, the Specialist Skills stream covers salaries above $135,000, and the Essential Skills stream covers specific lower-paid occupations in critical shortage sectors. Your agent advises which framework currently applies to your situation and ensures the application meets the right requirements during this transition period.

Employer Sponsorship Requirements

Your employer must be approved as a standard business sponsor, lodge a nomination for your specific role at market salary rate, and demonstrate labour market testing. Many employers have never sponsored before and need guidance through the process. An experienced agent walks the employer through obligations, prepares documentation on their behalf, and prevents the common nomination mistakes that cause refusals — particularly around salary settings and labour market testing compliance.

Pathway to Permanent Residency via the 186

The Medium-term stream of the 482 provides a pathway to the subclass 186 visa (permanent residency) after working for your employer for the required period. This transition stream is one of the most popular routes to PR in Australia. Your agent should be planning the 186 transition from the moment your 482 is lodged — ensuring continuity of employment, compliance with sponsorship conditions, and timely lodgement when eligibility is met.

What Happens If You Change Employers

You can change employers on a 482 visa, but your new employer must become an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination for your role. You should not start working for the new employer until the nomination is approved. This transition period can be stressful — an agent coordinates the process to minimise gaps and ensure compliance.

Current Costs and Processing Times

The 482 visa application charge is approximately $1,330 to $2,770 depending on the stream. Sponsorship and nomination charges are additional and paid by the employer. The full process — sponsorship approval, nomination, and visa grant — currently takes 2 to 6 months total. Agent fees typically range from $2,500 to $6,000 depending on whether they handle the employer side, employee side, or both.

Get Matched with 482 Visa Specialists

Tell Migratio your occupation, employer details, and which stream you are considering. You will be matched with 3 agents who handle 482 applications regularly and can manage both sides of the process. Free, no obligation.

How long does a 482 visa take?

The full process including sponsorship, nomination, and visa typically takes 2 to 6 months.

Can I change employers?

Yes, but your new employer must become a sponsor and lodge a new nomination. Do not start work until approved.

What is the Skills in Demand visa?

The new framework replacing the 482's occupation-based streams with salary-based thresholds. Your agent advises which stream applies.

Does the 482 lead to permanent residency?

The Medium-term stream can lead to the 186 visa after working for your employer for the required period.

Does my employer pay the agent?

Employers cannot require you to pay sponsorship or nomination costs. Your visa application fee and personal agent fees are typically yours.