If you are sponsoring a skilled worker, or you have been offered a sponsored role, one of the first questions is which stream of the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa applies. The answer comes down to two things: the occupation and the guaranteed annual salary. This guide explains both main streams, how to work out which one fits, and what to check before a nomination is lodged.
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. It kept the subclass number 482, so you will still see "482" and "TSS" used for the same visa.
The three streams at a glance
| Stream | Occupation | Salary from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Skills | Any occupation except technicians and trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers | At least A$146,717, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) |
| Core Skills | Must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | At least A$79,499, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) |
| Labour Agreement | As set out in the employer's labour agreement | As set out in the agreement |
The stream is not a choice. If the occupation is eligible for Specialist Skills and the guaranteed salary is at least the SSIT, the nomination is in the Specialist Skills stream. The employer cannot nominate under Core Skills instead.
In both main streams the salary must also be at least the annual market salary rate for the role, which is what an Australian worker would be paid for the same job in the same location. Both main streams need at least 12 months of relevant work experience, and both allow a stay of up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders).
Step 1: Check the guaranteed salary
The thresholds are tested against guaranteed annual earnings. Only the guaranteed base salary counts. Superannuation, allowances (such as car, housing or meals), bonuses, commissions and non-cash benefits do not.
- At or above A$146,717: the nomination is in the Specialist Skills stream, as long as the occupation is eligible (step 2).
- From A$79,499 up to A$146,717: the Core Skills stream is the route, and the occupation must be on the CSOL.
- Below A$79,499: neither main stream is available at that salary. In some industries a labour agreement may be an option.
The thresholds are indexed every 1 July, and a nomination has to meet the threshold that applies when it is lodged. A nomination lodged on 30 June and one lodged on 1 July can face different figures. Our article on the 1 July 2026 increase explains the timing.
Step 2: Check the occupation
Specialist Skills is open to almost any occupation, but not to technicians and trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, or labourers (ANZSCO major groups 3, 7 and 8). For those occupations the salary does not change the answer: an electrician offered A$160,000, for example, still cannot use the Specialist Skills stream, and goes through Core Skills if the occupation is on the CSOL.
Core Skills relies on the Core Skills Occupation List, which covers more than 450 occupations. If the occupation is not on the list, the Core Skills stream is not available, whatever the salary. You can check the current list on the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list page.
Getting the occupation right matters more than it looks. The nominated occupation has to match the duties of the actual role. Choosing an occupation because it is on a list, rather than because it describes the job, is one of the most common reasons nominations run into trouble.
Three examples
- A software engineer offered A$155,000. The salary is above the SSIT and the occupation is eligible, so the nomination is in the Specialist Skills stream. At A$120,000 the Core Skills stream would apply instead, provided the occupation is on the CSOL.
- An electrician offered A$160,000. Trades workers are excluded from Specialist Skills whatever the salary, so the Core Skills stream applies, provided the occupation is on the CSOL.
- A marketing specialist offered A$75,000. The salary is below the CSIT, so neither main stream is available at that salary. The employer would need to review the salary against the threshold and the market rate before nominating.
What is the same in both streams
- The employer must be an approved sponsor and nominate the position. See standard business sponsorship.
- Labour market testing applies to both streams, with exemptions under some international trade obligations. Advertising has strict rules on where, for how long and when it runs, so it needs planning well before lodgement.
- 12 months of relevant work experience is needed.
- The stay is up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders), working for the sponsor.
- There is a pathway to permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (186), generally after about 2 years of qualifying work for the sponsor.
Common mistakes
- Counting superannuation, allowances or bonuses towards the threshold
- Lodging just after 1 July without allowing for the new thresholds
- Choosing an occupation that does not match the real duties
- Assuming a high salary opens the Specialist Skills stream for a trade role
- Starting labour market testing too late
- Inaccurate labour market testing: ads on the wrong platforms, for too short a time, outside the required period before lodgement, or with details that do not match the nominated role
How Southern Stone can help
We check the occupation, salary and work experience before anything is lodged, confirm which stream applies, and prepare the sponsorship, nomination and visa application together so each part supports the others. Employers can read our 482 guide for employers; workers can read the 482 guide for skilled workers. To talk about your situation, book a consultation.
Figures are as at 1 July 2026 and change each 1 July. Check the current amounts on the Home Affairs salary requirements page before lodging.
Reviewed by Kathy Liu, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0958014).