Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Costs and Fee Breakdown

Understanding the costs of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) is an important part of planning an employer-sponsored visa application in Australia.

The overall cost can include Department of Home Affairs visa application charges, employer sponsorship and nomination costs, the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, skills assessments, English testing, health and character checks, and professional migration assistance.

Government Visa Application Charges

The primary applicant for a Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa currently pays a visa application charge from AUD 4,015. The final amount can depend on the circumstances of the application, including applicable concessions or additional charges.

If family members are included in the application, additional applicant charges may apply. The amount depends on factors such as the visa type, the applicant's age and whether the applicant is in or outside Australia when the application is lodged.

Important

Visa fees are subject to change. The Department of Home Affairs recommends using the Visa Pricing Estimator to confirm the applicable charge before lodging an application.

Employer Sponsorship and Nomination Costs

A Subclass 482 application generally involves an Australian employer sponsor and a nomination for the skilled position.

Employer-side costs can include:

• Standard Business Sponsorship application fee: AUD 420
• Nomination application fee: AUD 330 per nominated position
• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: payable by the sponsoring employer where applicable
• Other costs associated with meeting sponsorship and nomination requirements

A business must generally be an approved sponsor before it can sponsor a worker under the relevant Subclass 482 arrangements.

Who Pays Employer Sponsorship Costs?

Employer sponsorship and nomination expenses are generally the responsibility of the sponsoring business. Employers should also be aware of restrictions on recovering certain sponsorship-related costs from sponsored workers.

The precise cost structure should be assessed according to the employer's circumstances and the relevant nomination.

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is an employer-side contribution associated with certain employer-sponsored nominations.

The amount depends on factors including the sponsoring business and the proposed period of the nomination.

The SAF levy is not part of the applicant's personal visa application charge and should be considered separately when calculating the total cost of a Subclass 482 sponsorship.

Other Potential Costs

In addition to government visa and employer charges, applicants may need to budget for other expenses depending on their circumstances.

These may include:

• English language testing
• Mandatory skills assessment, where applicable
• Health examinations
• Police or character documents
• Biometrics, where requested
• Professional registration or licensing
• Document translation
• Certified copies or other supporting documentation
• Professional migration agent or legal fees
• Payment processing surcharges, where applicable

For example, the Department of Home Affairs states that a payment surcharge may apply when visa, sponsorship or nomination charges are paid by credit card or PayPal.

Professional Migration Services

If you engage a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) or Australian legal practitioner, professional fees are separate from government visa charges.

Professional fees can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of the application, including:

• The SID stream being used
• Whether the employer is already an approved sponsor
• Whether a new sponsorship application is required
• The complexity of the nomination
• Whether a skills assessment is required
• Whether family members are included
• The applicant's immigration history
• Whether additional visa or compliance issues need to be addressed

As a result, professional migration service fees should be confirmed directly with your migration professional rather than treated as a fixed government charge.

Estimated Cost Categories for a Subclass 482 Visa

Does the Subclass 482 Visa Cost the Same for Everyone?

No. The total cost of a Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) depends on the applicant, employer and application circumstances.

For example, the total cost can change depending on whether:

• You are applying alone or with family members
• Your employer already holds sponsorship approval
• A new nomination is required
• A skills assessment is mandatory
• Health or character checks are required
• You are eligible for a particular concession
• Additional temporary application charges apply in your circumstances

The Department of Home Affairs provides a Visa Pricing Estimator because visa costs can change and the amount payable depends on the circumstances of the application.

Planning Your Subclass 482 Visa Budget

Before lodging a SID 482 application, it is important to consider both applicant costs and employer sponsorship costs.

A realistic budget should account for the visa application charge, family member charges where applicable, employer nomination and SAF levy costs, skills and English requirements, health and character checks, and any professional assistance.

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 and is now available through the Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams.

Need Help With Your Subclass 482 Visa?

Every employer-sponsored visa application has its own requirements and cost considerations. The Visa can assess your circumstances, employer sponsorship requirements and visa pathway before you proceed.

Speak with a Registered Migration Agent to understand the likely costs and requirements for your Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa application.