What Is the Subclass 482 Visa?
The Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa, Subclass 482, is Australia's primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa. It allows Australian businesses to recruit overseas workers for skilled positions they cannot fill from the local labour market. Introduced in 2018 to replace the Subclass 457, the 482 comes with tighter conditions than its predecessor but remains one of the most common pathways for skilled workers to live and work in Australia long-term.
A 482 visa is linked to a specific employer and occupation. If you change jobs, your employer must nominate you under a new nomination, or you must find a new sponsor.
The Two Streams
Short-Term Stream (STSOL)
The Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) covers roles where Australia has shorter-term needs. This stream:
- Grants a visa for up to 2 years (4 years for some agreements)
- Can be renewed onshore once before you must apply offshore or transition to a different visa
- Does not provide a direct pathway to the Subclass 186 permanent visa via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
Medium-Term Stream (MLTSSL)
The Medium-Term Skilled Occupations List (MLTSSL) covers occupations in higher or more sustained demand. This stream:
- Grants a visa for up to 4 years
- Provides a direct pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 ENS through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after three years of employment with the same sponsor
- Allows multiple renewals
Costs
The visa application charge (VAC) for the Subclass 482 is approximately AUD 3,115 for the primary applicant (this changes annually — verify the current figure on the Home Affairs website). Sponsoring employers also pay a Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which varies based on the employer's turnover and the length of the nomination.
Processing time is typically 1 to 4 weeks for straightforward applications, making the 482 one of the faster work visa types in Australia.
Employer Requirements
Your employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) before they can nominate you. Sponsorship approval is a separate step that the employer applies for with Home Affairs. Reputable employers in skilled industries often already hold SBS status; others apply concurrently with the nomination.
The employer must also show that the position is genuine and that they have made efforts to recruit locally (Labour Market Testing, or LMT) before the overseas nomination.
Applicant Requirements
To qualify for a Subclass 482 you must:
- Hold skills and qualifications that match the nominated occupation on the STSOL or MLTSSL
- Have at least 2 years of relevant work experience in that occupation
- Meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), currently AUD 70,000 per year base salary (confirm the current TSMIT on the Home Affairs website as this figure is reviewed annually)
- Demonstrate English language ability: a minimum of IELTS 5.0 in each band (or equivalent test result), unless an exemption applies
- Meet health and character requirements
English Language Requirement
English language ability is assessed through an approved test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or OET. The minimum for most 482 applications is a score equivalent to IELTS 5.0 in each band. Exemptions apply if you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Subclass 186 ENS — Temporary Residence Transition Stream
After working with the same employer for at least 3 years on a Subclass 482 (MLTSSL stream), you become eligible to apply for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. The 186 grants permanent residency.
Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
If your employer is located in a regional area of Australia, the Subclass 494 may provide an alternative sponsored pathway to permanent residency (via the Subclass 191 after three years in the region).
Tips for Finding a Sponsored Job
Finding an employer willing to become a Standard Business Sponsor is the biggest challenge for most 482 applicants. Tips include:
- Target industries with consistent labour shortages: healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, education, hospitality management
- Use job boards that filter for visa sponsorship: Seek, LinkedIn, Indeed — search with "sponsorship" or "visa" in keywords
- Register with migration-specialist recruitment agencies that work with employers experienced in sponsoring overseas workers
- Reach out directly to HR departments of large companies with established international hiring programmes
- If you are already in Australia on another visa (such as a 500 student visa or 417 WHV), networking in person gives you a significant advantage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can my family come with me on a 482 visa?
Yes. Your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants. They receive the same visa duration as the primary applicant and have full work and study rights.
Q: What happens if I lose my job while on a 482?
You enter a 60-day grace period during which you can find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or make arrangements to depart Australia. Finding a new sponsor and completing the nomination process within 60 days is challenging, so act immediately if your employment ends.
Q: Can a 482 be renewed?
MLTSSL stream visas can be renewed with the same or a different employer provided all conditions are met again. STSOL stream visas can generally be renewed once onshore.
Q: Do I need a skills assessment for the 482?
Skills assessments are only required for specific nominated occupations (mostly trade and some professional occupations). Many professional roles in IT, engineering, and management do not require a formal skills assessment for 482 purposes — check the occupation-specific requirements.
This is general guidance only. Always verify current requirements with the official government source before applying.