The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is Australia’s main employer-sponsored work visa. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024, keeps the same subclass number, and lets an approved Australian employer bring you over for up to 4 years – with a route to permanent residence after about 2 years. This guide explains the 2026 rules for applicants from India: the three streams, the new salary thresholds, the English scores you need, the cost and the path to PR. All figures are from the official Department of Home Affairs pages, checked in September 2026.
| Who it is for | Skilled workers with a job offer from an approved Australian sponsor |
| Stay | Up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders) |
| Streams | Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement |
| Work experience | At least 1 year in your nominated occupation or a related field |
| Visa cost | From AUD 4,015 for the main applicant and each dependant aged 18+; AUD 1,005 for each dependant under 18 |
| English | Minimum scores in an approved test taken within 3 years (see table below) |
| Family | Partner and dependent children can be included |
| PR pathway | Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) – usually after 2 years of full-time sponsored work |
| Stream | Occupation | Minimum salary (nominations from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Skills | Occupations in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 (managers, professionals, community and personal service, clerical and administrative, sales). Trades, machinery operators and labourers are not included. | At least AUD 146,576 (Specialist Skills Income Threshold) |
| Core Skills | Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | At least AUD 79,423 (Core Skills Income Threshold) and the market salary rate for the role, whichever is higher |
| Labour Agreement | Occupations covered by the employer’s labour agreement with the government | As set in the labour agreement |
The thresholds rose by 3.8% on 1 July 2026 (from AUD 76,515 and AUD 141,210) and apply to nominations lodged from that date. Most Indian applicants in IT, engineering, accounting, healthcare and trades fall under the Core Skills stream, so the first check is whether your occupation is on the CSOL – see the official Core Skills stream page.
For the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, Home Affairs says you must:
For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, you need at least these scores in each skill. The test must be taken within 3 years before you apply.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or General Training) | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
| CELPIP General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| OET | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
Scores above the minimum do not earn extra points on this visa, but a stronger score helps later if you move to a points-tested PR visa. Our IELTS coaching and PTE coaching in Hyderabad prepare you for the exact score you need. Full details are on the official English proficiency page.
Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact family situation. Important: under Australian law, it is illegal for a sponsor or anyone else to ask for or accept payment in return for a sponsorship or job offer. If someone in India offers you a “482 job with sponsorship” for a fee, treat it as a red flag.
You can include your partner and dependent children in your application. Family members not included at the time you apply can join later as subsequent entrants. If you lose your job while on the visa, you have up to 180 days to find a new sponsoring employer or make arrangements to leave Australia.
The main PR pathway is the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream. Home Affairs says you usually need to have worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years full time while holding a 457 or 482 visa, and have a nomination from your employer approved in the 6 months before you apply.
If you do not have an employer yet, compare the other Australian routes:
| Visa | Employer needed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482) | Yes – approved sponsor | People with an Australian job offer |
| Subclass 494 | Yes – regional employer | Job offers in regional Australia |
| Subclass 190 | No – state nomination | Strong points score in a state-listed occupation |
| Subclass 189 | No | High points score, independent PR |
Check where you stand with our Australia PR points calculator, or read how the process works for IT professionals.
Learn more on our Australia work visa page or talk to our Australia immigration consultants in Hyderabad.
It uses the same subclass number (482) but replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024 with new streams, income thresholds and a 1-year work experience requirement.
For nominations lodged from 1 July 2026: at least AUD 79,423 for the Core Skills stream (and the market rate, whichever is higher) and at least AUD 146,576 for the Specialist Skills stream.
For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, at least 5.0 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, in IELTS Academic or General Training. The test must be taken within 3 years before applying, and IELTS Online is not accepted.
No. The visa needs a nomination from an approved Australian employer. Without a job offer, look at points-tested visas such as subclass 189 or 190.
Yes. After usually 2 years of full-time work with your sponsor on a 482 visa, your employer can nominate you for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
The visa application costs from AUD 4,015 for the main applicant and each dependant aged 18 or over, and AUD 1,005 per dependant under 18, plus your English test, medicals, police certificates and biometrics.
Have an Australian job offer, or want to know which Australian visa fits your profile? Book a free consultation or call +91 95055 15154.
