A Complete Guide to the Core Skills Stream Under Australia's Skills in Demand Visa

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) is a temporary employer-sponsored visa that allows an approved Australian employer to sponsor a suitably skilled overseas worker for a nominated position where the employer cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

The SID visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) on 7 December 2024. The current SID program has three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement.

The Core Skills stream is designed for skilled workers whose nominated occupation is included on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and who meet the applicable salary, skills, work experience, English language and other visa requirements.

The visa can generally allow an eligible worker to remain in Australia for up to four years, while eligible Hong Kong passport holders may be granted a stay of up to five years. A SID 482 visa may provide a pathway towards permanent residence in some circumstances, but permanent residency is not automatic and depends on meeting the requirements of the relevant permanent visa.

What Is the Core Skills Stream?

The Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) enables approved Australian employers to address genuine skilled labour shortages by sponsoring overseas workers for eligible positions.

To use this stream, the nominated occupation generally needs to appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the position must satisfy the applicable salary and nomination requirements.

The Core Skills stream may be relevant to a wide range of skilled occupations, including occupations across professional, technical, trade and other skilled areas where the occupation is included on the applicable list.

Examples of occupations may include:

• Registered Nurses

• Secondary School Teachers

• Software Engineers

• Civil Engineers

• Chefs

• Electricians

• Accountants

• Other occupations included on the current CSOL

Occupation eligibility should always be checked against the current CSOL and the specific requirements applying to the nominated position.

Core Skills Stream Eligibility

To qualify for a Skills in Demand visa under the Core Skills stream, applicants must satisfy the relevant visa criteria.

Generally, you must:

1. Have an Approved Australian Employer Sponsor

You must be nominated for a skilled position by an Australian employer that is an approved sponsor or otherwise eligible to nominate you under the applicable sponsorship arrangements.

The nominated position must be genuine and meet the relevant requirements.

2. Have an Eligible Occupation

For the Core Skills stream, your nominated occupation must generally be included on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Occupation eligibility can change, so applicants should check the current list before proceeding with a nomination or visa application.

3. Meet the Salary Requirements

The nominated position must satisfy the applicable income threshold and Australian Market Salary Rate requirements.

For nomination applications lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, the current Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) is AUD $79,423. The salary must also satisfy the applicable Australian Market Salary Rate requirements where those requirements apply.

Salary thresholds are subject to change through annual indexation.

4. Have the Required Skills and Experience

You must have the skills required to perform the nominated occupation.

The applicable work experience requirement must also be satisfied. The exact requirements can depend on the nominated occupation and applicable legislative instruments.

5. Meet English Language Requirements

Primary applicants generally need to demonstrate the required level of English language proficiency unless an exemption applies.

The applicable English test and required score depend on the current visa rules.

6. Meet Health and Character Requirements

You and relevant family members must satisfy the applicable health and character requirements.

7. Meet Other Visa Requirements

Additional requirements can apply depending on your occupation, nationality, previous visa history, qualifications, registration requirements and individual circumstances.

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is an important part of the Core Skills stream.

If you are applying under the Core Skills stream, your nominated occupation generally needs to be included on the current CSOL.

The occupation list is not a guarantee that a visa will be granted. Applicants must still satisfy the other requirements for the SID visa, including sponsorship, nomination, salary, skills, English and health and character requirements.

Because occupation lists can change, applicants should check the current list before relying on an occupation for migration planning.

Core Skills Stream Salary Requirements

Salary is an important part of an employer-sponsored nomination.

For the current 2026–27 program year, the Core Skills Income Threshold is:

AUD $79,423

This applies to relevant SID Core Skills nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

However, meeting the CSIT alone may not be enough.

Where applicable, the employer must also determine the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the position and ensure the overseas worker is not paid less than an Australian worker performing equivalent work.

Where the applicable market salary is higher than the income threshold, the higher amount may need to be paid.

Non-monetary benefits generally cannot simply be used to reduce the required salary below the applicable threshold.

Important

Salary thresholds are indexed periodically. Always check the current Department of Home Affairs requirements before lodging a nomination or visa application.

Australian Market Salary Rate

The Australian Market Salary Rate helps ensure that overseas workers are not paid less than an Australian worker performing the same or equivalent role.

Where the applicable requirements apply, the employer must establish the relevant market salary rate and ensure the overseas worker's guaranteed annual earnings meet the required level.

This requirement is designed to help protect Australian employment conditions and prevent employer-sponsored visa programs from being used to undercut Australian wages.

Work Experience Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that they have the skills and employment background required for the nominated occupation.

The exact requirements can vary according to the occupation and applicable visa criteria.

You may be required to provide evidence such as:

• Employment reference letters

• Payslips

• Tax records

• Employment contracts

• Qualification documents

• Professional registration

• Curriculum vitae or resume

• Other evidence demonstrating your relevant skills and employment history

Your CV or resume should provide a clear history of your employment and education.

Where a mandatory skills assessment applies, the assessment requirements must also be satisfied.

Skills Assessment

Some SID 482 applicants are required to undergo a mandatory skills assessment.

The occupations and applicants subject to mandatory skills assessment are determined under the relevant legislative instrument.

Where a mandatory skills assessment is required, applicants may need to have commenced the assessment before lodging the visa application and provide the relevant reference number.

The Department of Home Affairs also has the ability to request a skills assessment where it considers one necessary, even where a mandatory assessment does not otherwise apply.

A skills assessment is different from professional registration or licensing.

English Language Requirements

Primary applicants for the SID visa generally need to demonstrate the required level of English unless an applicable exemption applies.

The exact English requirement should be checked against the current Department of Home Affairs rules because accepted tests, scores and exemptions can change.

Applicants should ensure their English test results remain valid for the purposes of their application.

Labour Market Testing

Labour Market Testing (LMT) may be required as part of the employer nomination process.

The purpose of LMT is to demonstrate that the employer has tested the Australian labour market for suitably qualified and experienced Australian workers before sponsoring an overseas worker, subject to applicable exemptions and requirements.

Employers should follow the current Department of Home Affairs LMT requirements when advertising and documenting the nominated position.

Important

Do not state on the website that LMT has been permanently abolished or is being phased out. The current Home Affairs guidance continues to provide LMT requirements for relevant nominations.

How Long Can You Stay?

The Core Skills stream is a temporary visa.

Generally, you can stay in Australia for:

Up to 4 years

Hong Kong passport holders may be eligible for a stay of up to 5 years under the applicable provisions.

The actual period of stay depends on the visa grant and the period nominated by the employer.

The SID visa cannot simply be extended by remaining in Australia after its expiry. If you want to continue working in Australia, you may need another nomination and visa or another appropriate visa pathway.

Working on a Core Skills 482 Visa

Generally, SID 482 visa holders must work in the occupation for which they were nominated and for their nominating business or, where permitted, an associated entity.

Certain occupations have specific exemptions from the usual employment arrangements.

Visa holders must comply with their visa conditions and Australian workplace laws.

What Happens If You Lose Your Job?

If you stop working for your sponsoring employer, specific rules apply.

A SID visa holder who has lost their employment may have up to 180 days to find a new employer, make arrangements for another visa, or leave Australia, subject to the applicable rules and conditions.

This does not mean that a visa holder can automatically start working for any employer.

The new employer and position must satisfy the relevant sponsorship, nomination and visa requirements.

Can a 482 Core Skills Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

A Skills in Demand visa can, in some circumstances, form part of a longer-term migration strategy.

For example, an eligible SID visa holder may potentially be nominated by an employer for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), subject to meeting all requirements for that permanent visa.

However:

Holding a subclass 482 visa does not automatically lead to permanent residency.

The applicant must satisfy the requirements of the relevant permanent visa at the time of application.

Your age, occupation, employment history, employer sponsorship, visa history, skills, English and other circumstances may affect your available pathway.

Professional assessment is recommended before assuming that a particular temporary-to-permanent pathway will be available.

Family Members

Eligible family members may be able to apply as secondary applicants or as subsequent entrants, depending on their circumstances and the applicable requirements.

Family members may be able to:

• Live in Australia

• Work in Australia

• Study in Australia

Family members must also satisfy the relevant visa requirements.

The Department of Home Affairs confirms that eligible family members can apply as subsequent entrants where the relevant requirements are met.

Health Insurance

SID visa applicants and their family members must satisfy the applicable health insurance requirements.

Primary and secondary applicants are generally responsible for their healthcare costs in Australia.

Where required, appropriate health insurance must be maintained for the relevant period of stay.

Health and Character Requirements

Applicants and relevant family members must meet Australia's health and character requirements.

Depending on individual circumstances, you may need:

• Health examinations

• Australian police certificates

• Overseas police certificates

• Military service records

• Other character documentation

The Department may request additional information or documents during the application process.

Visa Application Cost

The current Department of Home Affairs page lists the SID visa application charge from AUD $4,015, although the amount payable can depend on the applicant and applicable concessions or circumstances.

The visa application charge is separate from other potential costs, which may include:

• Skills assessment fees

• English language testing

• Health examinations

• Police certificates

• Professional fees

• Employer nomination costs

• Skilling Australians Fund levy

• Translation costs

• Other applicable government charges

Visa charges can change, so applicants should check the current Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before applying.

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy

Employers sponsoring overseas workers may need to pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy as part of the nomination process.

The amount can depend on factors including the size of the sponsoring business and the applicable visa and nomination arrangements.

The SAF levy is an employer-related cost and should not be confused with the applicant's visa application charge.

Processing Times

There is no guaranteed processing time for a Skills in Demand visa.

The Department of Home Affairs assesses applications individually, and processing times can be affected by:

• Whether the application is complete

• Supporting documents provided

• Health and character checks

• National security checks

• Requests for additional information

• Employer nomination matters

• Skills assessment requirements

• The applicant's individual circumstances

The Department recommends using its visa processing time guide for an indication of recently decided applications. The result is a guide only and is not a guarantee for an individual application.

Do not advertise:

❌ "7-day processing"

❌ "21-day median processing"

❌ "Guaranteed fast-track processing"

unless a specific current government program or official processing arrangement clearly applies to the individual application.

Current Processing Priorities

Skills in Demand visa applications are currently subject to Ministerial Direction No. 119, which came into effect on 25 July 2026.

Current processing priorities consider both the applicant's occupation and location at the time of application.

The Department currently gives the highest priority to occupations supporting Australian law enforcement and defence interests, followed by certain occupations in construction, healthcare and teaching.

Processing priorities do not guarantee a visa decision by a particular date.

The Three SID 482 Streams

The current Skills in Demand visa has three streams.

1. Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills stream is generally for nominated occupations included on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Applicants must meet the relevant occupation, salary, skills, English and other requirements.

2. Specialist Skills Stream

The Specialist Skills stream is designed for highly paid skilled workers whose nominated occupation falls within the eligible ANZSCO major groups and whose nominated salary meets the applicable Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT).

It does not use the CSOL in the same way as the Core Skills stream. The nominated occupation must meet the Specialist Skills stream occupation requirements.

3. Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream applies where an employer has an appropriate Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.

The terms and concessions available under a Labour Agreement depend on the specific agreement and applicable requirements.

Important: The SID Visa Is Not a "Three-Tiered Salary System"

The previous TSS/SID content describing the program as:

• Tier 1 – Specialist Skills

• Tier 2 – Core Skills

• Tier 3 – Essential Skills

should not be used as the current description of the visa.

The current Skills in Demand visa has three streams:

Core Skills | Specialist Skills | Labour Agreement

The Essential Skills stream is not currently an operational fourth or third visa stream that applicants can simply apply for.

Government policy work concerning future skills and migration settings should not be presented as an existing visa pathway unless and until the relevant rules come into effect.

Specialist Skills Income Threshold

For the 2026–27 program year, the current Specialist Skills Income Threshold is:

AUD $146,576

This applies to relevant Specialist Skills nomination applications lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.

The Specialist Skills stream has different occupation requirements from the Core Skills stream.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that a salary above the Specialist Skills threshold automatically qualifies them for the Specialist Skills stream.

Core Skills vs Specialist Skills

The salary thresholds are subject to annual indexation and should be checked before application.

Does the Core Skills Stream Include Trades?

Yes, trade occupations are not automatically excluded from the Core Skills stream.

However, the particular occupation must meet the applicable requirements, including being included on the relevant occupation list where required and satisfying the salary and other visa criteria.

Therefore, it is not accurate to state that all trades, machinery operators, drivers or labourers are eligible.

Eligibility depends on the specific nominated occupation and current legislation.

Application Process for the Core Skills 482 Visa

The process generally involves several stages.

Step 1 – Identify an Eligible Occupation

Check whether the proposed occupation is eligible under the Core Skills stream and appears on the current CSOL.

Step 2 – Find an Eligible Employer

The worker must have an Australian employer willing and able to sponsor and nominate them.

Step 3 – Employer Sponsorship

The employer must satisfy the applicable sponsorship requirements.

Step 4 – Nomination

The employer nominates the position and overseas worker in accordance with the applicable rules.

Step 5 – Labour Market Testing

Where required, the employer must complete LMT and retain appropriate evidence.

Step 6 – Salary Assessment

The employer must establish the applicable salary and Australian Market Salary Rate requirements.

Step 7 – Prepare the Visa Application

The applicant prepares evidence covering:

• Identity

• Qualifications

• Skills

• Employment history

• English

• Health

• Character

• Registration or licensing, where required

• Family members, where applicable

Step 8 – Lodge the Visa Application

The applicant lodges the SID 482 visa application online.

Step 9 – Respond to Requests

The Department may request additional documents, health examinations, biometrics or other information.

Step 10 – Visa Decision

The Department assesses the application and provides the outcome in writing.

Documents You May Need

Depending on your circumstances, documents may include:

• Current passport

• Birth certificate

• Marriage certificate, if applicable

• Qualification certificates

• Skills assessment

• Employment references

• Payslips

• Tax documents

• Curriculum vitae

• English language test results

• Professional registration

• Licensing documents

• Police certificates

• Health examination results

• Evidence relating to family members

• Other supporting documents requested by the Department

All documents should be accurate and consistent.

Non-English documents generally need appropriate English translations.

Common Reasons for Problems With a 482 Application

Applications can face difficulties where applicants or sponsors:

• Select an unsuitable occupation

• Provide insufficient evidence of skills

• Fail to meet salary requirements

• Do not properly establish the market salary rate

• Provide inconsistent employment information

• Fail to satisfy English requirements

• Do not complete required skills assessments

• Provide incomplete supporting documents

• Fail to meet health or character requirements

• Do not satisfy sponsorship or nomination requirements

• Assume that holding a 482 automatically guarantees permanent residency

Professional advice before lodging can help identify potential issues and ensure the application is prepared appropriately.

Core Skills Stream and Permanent Residency

The Core Skills stream can be part of a longer-term Australian migration strategy for some workers.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, an employer may potentially nominate the worker for an eligible permanent visa such as the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).

However, eligibility for permanent residency must be assessed separately.

There is no automatic permanent residency entitlement simply because you hold a SID 482 visa or work in Australia for a particular period.

The requirements of the relevant permanent visa must be satisfied when the application is made.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Core Skills Stream?

The Core Skills stream is one of the three streams of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). It allows eligible Australian employers to sponsor suitably skilled overseas workers for eligible positions where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

What is the Core Skills Occupation List?

The CSOL is the occupation list used for the Core Skills stream. Your nominated occupation generally needs to be included on the current list.

What is the Core Skills Income Threshold?

For relevant nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $79,423.

Can I apply without an Australian employer?

The Core Skills stream is an employer-sponsored visa. You generally need an eligible Australian employer to nominate you.

How long can I stay on a Core Skills 482 visa?

Generally, the visa allows a stay of up to four years. Hong Kong passport holders may be eligible for up to five years.

Can I change employers?

Specific rules apply when changing employers. If you stop working for your sponsor, you may have up to 180 days to find another employer, make arrangements for another visa or leave Australia, subject to the applicable rules.

Can a Core Skills 482 visa lead to PR?

It may provide a pathway towards permanent residency for eligible applicants, including potentially through an employer-sponsored permanent visa. However, PR is not automatic and separate eligibility requirements apply.

Is IELTS 5.0 in each band always required?

Do not rely on a simple IELTS score statement without checking the current rules. Primary applicants generally need to meet specified English requirements unless an exemption applies, and the accepted tests and required results should be checked against the current Department of Home Affairs requirements.

Are trades eligible for the Core Skills stream?

Some trade occupations may be eligible, but eligibility depends on the specific occupation and current occupation list. Trades are not automatically eligible simply because they are trades.

Is the Essential Skills stream available now?

The Essential Skills concept should not be presented as a currently available SID visa stream unless the relevant legislation and government policy have formally commenced.

Is there a 3,000-place cap for the Specialist Skills stream?

The current official SID information does not support presenting the Specialist Skills stream as having a general annual 3,000-place cap. The previous claim should therefore be removed.

Does the SID visa have a guaranteed 7-day processing time?

No. Processing times vary and the Department's processing-time guide is only an indication based on recently decided applications.

Why Choose TheVisa?

At The Visa and Education Services Pty Ltd, we provide professional Australian migration guidance tailored to your circumstances.

Our Registered Migration Agent can assist with:

• Skills in Demand visa assessments

• Core Skills stream applications

• Employer-sponsored visa pathways

• Occupation and eligibility assessment

• Supporting documentation

• Skills assessment considerations

• English requirements

• Employer nomination matters

• Visa application preparation

• Visa refusal and cancellation matters

• Potential pathways towards permanent residency

We focus on clear communication, careful preparation and practical guidance throughout your Australian migration journey.

Registered Migration Agent

Navneet Kaur
MARN: 2318181