Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa: Your Complete Guide
Australia’s new Skills in Demand (SID) visa is the government’s flagship employer‑sponsored work visa, replacing the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa from late 2024.
A chance to live and work in Australia
Australia’s new Skills in Demand (SID) visa is designed to make it easier for Australian businesses to fill genuine skill shortages while giving skilled workers clearer, faster pathways to permanent residency (PR).
For employers, it’s a streamlined way to bring in the talent you can’t source locally. For skilled professionals, it’s a chance to live and work in Australia with greater certainty about your future.
Get personalised guidance from our RMA ( Registered Migration Agent)
If you’re a skilled professional exploring your pathway, we’ll assess your eligibility, confirm your stream, check your salary against July 2025 thresholds, and outline your PR roadmap—all under the care of an RMA. Share your occupation, salary offer, and years of experience in the form given below, and we’ll map your next steps with clarity and confidence.
What’s New Compared to the Old 482 Visa?
The SID visa builds on the strengths of the 482 but introduces important changes:
Three new streams:
- Specialist Skills – for highly paid, niche expertise roles.
- Core Skills – for occupations on the new Core Skills Occupation List.
- Essential Skills (proposed) – for lower‑paid but critical sectors such as aged care and hospitality (details to be confirmed).
For Skilled Workers:
- Reduced work experience requirement – from 2 years down to 1 year in most cases.
- Higher minimum salary thresholds – from 1 July 2025, to protect local wages.
- Clearer PR pathways – especially for Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams.
- Faster processing for high‑salary Specialist Skills applicants.
| Stream | Who it suits | Stay length | PR pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Skills | Highly paid, niche expertise roles | Up to 4 years | Yes – employer‑sponsored PR possible |
| Core Skills | Occupations on the Core Skills List | Up to 4 years | Yes – clear PR pathway |
| Essential Skills (proposed) | Lower‑paid essential sectors (e.g., aged care, hospitality) | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Key Requirements for Employers
To sponsor a skilled worker under the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa, an Australian business must:
- Be a lawfully operating business.
- Demonstrate genuine need for the nominated position.
- Offer a salary in line with Australian market rates.
- Must comply with sponsorship obligations.
Requirements for Applicants
- Nominated occupation must be on the relevant list for your stream.
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience (in most cases).
- English language proficiency – varies by stream.
- Skills assessment – required for some occupations.
- Meet health and character requirements.
Fees, Timelines, and Duration
- Government fees: Start in the low thousands (AUD), plus costs for skills assessments, English tests, health checks, and dependants.
- Processing times: From a few weeks for priority Specialist Skills cases to several months for others.
- Stay length: Generally up to 4 years for Specialist and Core Skills streams.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
One of the biggest advantages of the SID visa is its clearer PR pathways:
- Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams are designed with employer‑sponsored PR in mind.
- Time spent on the SID visa counts towards PR eligibility.
- The Essential Skills stream’s PR options will be confirmed once the government finalises its settings.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re an employer struggling to find skilled staff or a qualified tradesperson with an employer ready to sponsor you, Mangalath Immigration is here to help.
Get in Touch Today
Contact our Melbourne office today to get started on your Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa journey.
Phone: +61 3 9323 0090 Mobile: +61 433 528 208
E-Mail : info@mangalathimmigration.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Skills in Demand visa?
A: It’s Australia’s new employer‑sponsored work visa, replacing the Subclass 482. It has three streams and offers clearer PR pathways.
Q: How is it different from the 482 visa?
A: It has new streams, reduced work experience requirements, higher salary thresholds, and faster PR routes.
Q: Do I still need a skills assessment?
A: For some occupations, yes — this depends on your role and stream.
Q: Can I bring my family?
A: Yes, eligible family members can be included in your application.
Q: How long can I stay?
A: Up to 4 years for Specialist and Core Skills streams; Essential Skills details are pending.
Q: When do the new salary thresholds apply?
A: From 1 July 2025.
Tags
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa, Skills in Demand stream, TSS visa Australia, Employer sponsored visa Australia, Work visa Australia for skilled workers, Hire overseas workers Australia, Mangalath Immigration Melbourne
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Mangalath Immigration is headed by a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) who will deal with your enquiries and give you advice and guidance on all issues to do with immigrating to Australia.
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