Temporary Work Visas

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is Australia’s main temporary work visa for skilled workers. It requires employer sponsorship, which costs your employer $8,000+ in fees, levies, and labour testing. You get 2-4 years initially, and if you stay with your employer, there’s a pathway to permanent residency through the 186 visa.

Getting sponsored means finding companies willing to navigate Standard Business Sponsorship approval, SAF levies, and salary requirements. Once you’re here, you’ll need to understand your work rights, mandatory health insurance, the 180-day transition period if you lose your job, and how to bring your partner and children with you.

The visa comes in two streams: Core Skills (most occupations, shorter processing) and Specialist Skills (higher salaries, niche roles). Both lead to PR, but the requirements differ. You’ll also need to figure out skills assessments, occupation lists, and complete documentation without triggering delays. This is the most common work visa pathway for professionals, but it’s not simple and it’s not cheap for employers.

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