482 Visa Requirements: A Checklist for Workers and Employers

The Three Streams

The 482 visa is divided into three streams. Which stream applies determines the occupation list, salary threshold, and visa duration — so this is the first thing to identify.

<strong>Core Skills stream</strong> — for workers in occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This is the most commonly used pathway. The visa can be granted for up to four years.

<strong>Specialist Skills stream</strong> — for highly paid, senior-level workers whose role falls within ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 (managers, professionals, and a range of clerical and service workers — explicitly excludes trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers in Major Groups 3, 7, and 8). The minimum salary is significantly higher than the Core Skills stream. Visa duration is also up to four years.

<strong>Labour Agreement stream</strong> — for workers nominated by an employer who has negotiated a specific Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. This stream is typically used in sectors with acute shortages not served by the standard occupation lists, such as aged care. The terms of eligibility — including occupation, English, and salary — are set by the individual agreement, not the standard rules.

The checklist below focuses on the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, as these cover the majority of 482 applications.

Eligible Occupation

For the <strong>Core Skills stream</strong>, the nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The CSOL is maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and is updated periodically to reflect labour market conditions. The role being offered must genuinely match the occupation unit group under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

For the <strong>Specialist Skills stream</strong>, there is no fixed occupation list — instead, the role must sit within ANZSCO Major Groups 1 (Managers), 2 (Professionals), 4 (Community and Personal Service Workers), 5 (Clerical and Administrative Workers), or 6 (Sales Workers). Roles in Major Groups 3 (Technicians and Trades Workers), 7 (Machinery Operators and Drivers), and 8 (Labourers) are not eligible for this stream.

For both streams, the employer must also satisfy a <strong>Labour Market Testing (LMT)</strong> requirement at the nomination stage in most cases — demonstrating that the role was advertised for at least four weeks within the four months before lodging the nomination, and that no suitably qualified Australian worker was available to fill it. Certain nationalities and occupations may be exempt from LMT under applicable international trade agreements.

See the <a href="/blog/csol-occupation-list-australia-explained">CSOL occupation list explained</a> for a detailed breakdown of how the list works and how to check whether your occupation qualifies.

Salary Requirements: CSIT and SSIT

Salary is one of the most important eligibility conditions for the 482 visa. There are two layers to satisfy.

<strong>Layer 1 — Minimum income threshold</strong>

For nominations lodged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026:

- Core Skills stream: Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) — AUD $76,515 per year
- Specialist Skills stream: Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) — AUD $141,210 per year

From 1 July 2026, these thresholds increase to $79,423 (CSIT) and $146,576 (SSIT). The thresholds are indexed annually to Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). The threshold that applies is the one in force on the date the nomination is lodged — not the date the visa is decided.

<strong>Layer 2 — Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)</strong>

The sponsored worker must also be paid at least the Annual Market Salary Rate: the salary that an equivalent Australian worker would receive for the same role in the same location. If the market rate exceeds the CSIT or SSIT, the higher figure applies. The purpose of this rule is to ensure overseas workers are not used to undercut local wages.

The salary assessed for threshold purposes is the guaranteed base salary — it excludes non-guaranteed elements such as bonuses, overtime payments, allowances, and non-monetary benefits like the use of a company car.

See the <a href="/blog/482-visa-salary-threshold-csit-australia">482 visa salary threshold guide</a> for more detail on how income is calculated and what counts toward CSIT.

Work Experience

For both the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, the worker must have at least <strong>12 months of relevant full-time work experience</strong> in the nominated occupation (or a closely related one), gained within the <strong>five years immediately before the nomination is lodged</strong>.

Part-time experience can count if it is equivalent to 12 months of full-time work in aggregate. Voluntary work and unpaid internships generally do not count.

The experience must be in the same occupation (or a closely related occupation) as the one being nominated. Work experience in an adjacent field that does not closely match the nominated ANZSCO unit group may not satisfy the requirement.

For the <strong>Labour Agreement stream</strong>, the required experience period may differ — the terms of the specific labour agreement govern this.

Note that work experience and skills assessment are separate requirements. Meeting the experience threshold does not necessarily mean a formal skills assessment is not also required.

Skills Assessment

A formal skills assessment is <strong>not required for every 482 application</strong>, but it is required for certain trade and technical occupations depending on the passport the applicant holds.

The mandatory skills assessment requirement is triggered by a combination of the nominated occupation and the applicant's passport country. Passport holders from Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe applying in certain trade occupations (including, for example, chef, electrician, panel beater, and motor mechanic) are commonly required to obtain a positive skills assessment before the nomination can be approved.

The assessing authority depends on the occupation — Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) handles most trade roles; VETASSESS covers a range of professional and managerial occupations; other bodies assess specific fields.

A positive skills assessment must have been issued within three years before the visa application is lodged.

<strong>High-income exemption:</strong> Applicants who will receive guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD $180,000 and hold a qualification relevant to the nominated occupation commensurate with the ANZSCO specification may be exempt from the mandatory skills assessment requirement, regardless of passport country.

English Language Requirement

Most 482 visa applicants must demonstrate <strong>Vocational English</strong>. For applications lodged using tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, the required minimum scores are:

- <strong>IELTS:</strong> 5.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing, speaking)
- <strong>PTE Academic:</strong> 36 overall — with individual component minimums (listening 33, reading 36, writing 29, speaking 24)
- <strong>TOEFL iBT:</strong> minimum scores by component (check the current Home Affairs schedule for exact figures)
- <strong>OET:</strong> Grade B in all four components
- <strong>Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency:</strong> minimum scores as specified by Home Affairs

Test results must be no more than three years old at the time of visa application. Online (at-home) tests are not accepted — tests must be completed at an approved testing centre.

<strong>Common exemptions from the English requirement include:</strong>

- Passport holders from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland
- Applicants who have completed at least five years of full-time study at secondary or higher education level where the principal language of instruction was English
- Intra-corporate transferees whose guaranteed annual earnings are at least AUD $96,400

Applicants who are exempt from the English language requirement at the visa application stage may still need to demonstrate English ability if they later apply for permanent residence through the 186 or 494 pathway.

Health and Character Requirements

All 482 visa applicants — primary and any secondary applicants (family members included on the application) — must satisfy Australia's standard health and character requirements.

<strong>Health (Public Interest Criterion 4005):</strong> Applicants must undergo a medical examination conducted by an approved panel physician. The assessment considers whether the applicant's health condition would be likely to result in significant costs to the Australian community or prejudice the access of Australian citizens or permanent residents to health care or community services. For the 482 visa specifically, the health assessment looks at the intended period of stay in Australia.

<strong>Character (Public Interest Criterion 4001):</strong> Applicants must be of good character. This is assessed by reference to any criminal history, past immigration conduct, and other relevant factors. Applicants with substantial criminal records — generally defined as a sentence of 12 months or more of imprisonment — may be refused on character grounds. The character requirement applies to each applicant individually, including secondary applicants; a character concern affecting a family member can affect the overall application.

<strong>Adequate health insurance:</strong> 482 visa holders are not covered by Medicare in most circumstances. The Department of Home Affairs expects that 482 visa holders will hold adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia.

Sponsor and Nomination Conditions (Employer Side)

Even if the worker meets every personal requirement, the application will not succeed unless the employer has satisfied two distinct approvals.

<strong>1. Approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)</strong>

The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor. To obtain SBS approval, a business must demonstrate that it is legally established and actively operating in Australia, and that it is suitable to sponsor overseas workers. SBS approval is generally valid for five years.

A business does not need to be a large company — sole traders and small businesses can qualify, but they must be genuinely operating.

<strong>2. Approved Nomination</strong>

Once SBS status is held, the employer must lodge a separate nomination for each role and each worker. The nomination must establish that the position is genuine, that the occupation matches the CSOL (Core Skills stream) or relevant ANZSCO major group (Specialist Skills stream), that Labour Market Testing has been satisfied (in most cases), and that the proposed salary meets both the applicable income threshold and the Annual Market Salary Rate.

<strong>Ongoing sponsorship obligations:</strong> Holding SBS status carries continuing obligations — the employer must ensure the worker is employed only in the nominated occupation, pay at least the market salary rate, not transfer sponsorship costs to the worker, and notify Home Affairs within 28 days of certain changes (such as the worker ceasing employment). Breaches of these obligations can result in sanctions against the sponsoring business. See the <a href="/blog/employer-sponsorship-obligations-482">482 sponsorship obligations guide</a> for the full list of employer duties.

How much work experience do I need for a 482 visa?

You need at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation (or a closely related one), gained within the five years before the nomination is lodged. Part-time experience can count if it is equivalent in hours to 12 months full-time. The experience must match the nominated ANZSCO occupation, not just a related industry.

What is the minimum salary for the 482 visa in 2025–26?

For nominations lodged in the 2025–26 financial year (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2026), the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is AUD $79,423 per year and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is AUD $146,576 per year. The employer must also pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate — the salary an equivalent Australian worker would receive in the same role and location — if that rate is higher than the applicable threshold. From 1 July 2026, the thresholds increase to $79,423 (CSIT) and $146,576 (SSIT).

Do I need a skills assessment for the 482 visa?

Not always. A formal skills assessment is required for certain trade and technical occupations when the applicant holds a passport from a specified list of countries (including India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and several others). The requirement is triggered by the combination of occupation and passport country. Applicants with guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD $180,000 who hold a relevant qualification may be exempt. For professional and managerial roles, skills assessments are less commonly required.

Do I need to do an English test for the 482 visa?

Most applicants must demonstrate Vocational English — a minimum score of 5.0 in each component of the IELTS (or equivalent in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge). Common exemptions apply to passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland; to applicants with at least five years of full-time English-medium education; and to intra-corporate transferees earning at least AUD $96,400. Test results must be less than three years old and obtained at an in-person testing centre.

What does the employer need to do before I can apply for a 482 visa?

The employer must complete two separate steps before the worker can lodge a visa application. First, the business must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) by the Department of Home Affairs. Second, the employer must lodge and have approved a nomination for the specific role and worker — this includes demonstrating that the occupation is on the CSOL (Core Skills stream), that the salary meets the CSIT or SSIT threshold and the Annual Market Salary Rate, and that Labour Market Testing has been carried out (in most cases).

What is the difference between the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams?

The Core Skills stream is for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and requires a minimum salary of the CSIT ($79,423 in 2025–26). The Specialist Skills stream is for senior or highly specialised roles in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 — it does not require the occupation to appear on a specific list, but it carries a much higher minimum salary of the SSIT ($146,576 in 2025–26) and is intended for workers in positions that are difficult to fill because of their seniority or scarcity.