​​​​​​Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa

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The subclass 482 visa is a temporary work visa in Australia that allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill labour shortages when qualified, experienced Australians are not available.

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This Australia work visa offers a pathway to permanent residency through other visa subclasses (such as subclass 186), depending on the occupation and length of employment.

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Key Features:

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• Valid for up to 4 years

• Allows full-time work for a sponsoring employer

• Dependents can live, work and study in Australia

• Option to apply for Australian permanent residency after meeting eligibility criteria

 

Eligibility Criteria:

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• Must be sponsored by an approved Australian employer

• The nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list

• Must meet skills and qualifications requirements for the role

• Must have at least one year of relevant work experience

• Meet English language, health, and character requirements

• Hold appropriate licensing or registration if required for your occupation

 

The subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa is one of the most commonly used work visas in Australia, offering flexibility and potential for long-term employment and settlement.

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If you’re looking for an Australian work visa or your employer needs support, get in touch and one of our Registered Migration Agents will provide valuable support.

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Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

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The subclass 494 is a regional work visa is for skilled individuals who are nominated by an employer located in a designated regional area of Australia. It's a great idea to work in regional Australia as this is a temporary visa but provides a clear pathway to permanent residency via the subclass 191 visa.

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Key Features:

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• Valid for up to 5 years

• Must live and work in regional Australia

• Provides a pathway to Australian permanent residency after 3 years

• Eligible dependents can live, work and study in regional areas

 

Eligibility Criteria:

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• Must be nominated by an approved employer in a regional area

• Occupation must be on the relevant occupation list

• Must have a skills assessment (unless exempt)

• Must have sufficient skilled work experience

• Must be under 45 years of age at the time of application (unless exempt)

• Must meet English language, health and character requirements

 

The subclass 494 regional work visa is an excellent option for skilled migrants seeking long-term opportunities in Australia's growing regional centres. It is also a great way for Australian employers to fill essential roles to help their businesses thrive and for overseas workers to experience work in regional Australia.

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Book a consultation with one of our experienced agents for an obligation-free conversation.

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Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa

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The subclass 186 visa is a permanent work visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently, whether you work in regional Australia or a capital city. This visa is often the next step for those who have held a subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa, but it is also available as a direct entry option for eligible applicants.

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The subclass 186 visa has three streams:

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1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

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For workers who have held a subclass 482 visa and have worked in their nominated occupation in Australia for a specified period.

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Key Points:

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• Must be nominated by the employer who last sponsored your subclass 482 visa

• Must have worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years

• Be under the age of 45 (unless exempt)

 

2. Direct Entry Stream

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For applicants who are seeking permanent residency sooner.

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Key Points:

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• Must have a skills assessment for the nominated occupation (unless exempt)

• Must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience

• Must be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)

• No previous visa sponsorship in Australia is required

 

3. Labour Agreement Stream

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For applicants sponsored under a labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.

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Key Points:

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• Conditions are based on the terms of the specific labour agreement

• May allow exemptions from standard age, skills or English requirements

• For employers who struggle to hire for particular occupations not included on standard occupation lists

 

The subclass 186 visa is a highly sought-after permanent employer sponsored visa, providing access to Medicare, citizenship pathways and unrestricted work rights.

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If you dream of permanent residency, get in touch to find out how we can help to try and get you there!

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OTHER SKILLED EMPLOYMENT VISAS​

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We work with a wide range of visas; however, due to the governments allocations for each visa type we work predominantly with those seeking employer sponsored or similar visas. We do also assist those interested in General Skilled Migration where employer sponsorship is required - if this is you, let's chat!​

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Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa

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The subclass 191 visa is a permanent residence visa for skilled workers who have previously lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia on an eligible provisional visa. This visa allows holders to stay in Australia permanently, and is a crucial part of the regional migration pathway designed to encourage skilled workers to contribute to regional economies.

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Key Features of the Subclass 191 Visa:

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• Permanent residency visa in Australia

• No restrictions on location of work or residence once granted

• Provides access to Medicare and citizenship pathways

• Allows dependent family members to be included in the application

• No need for an employer to nominate you

 

Eligibility Criteria:

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• Hold an eligible provisional regional visa (typically subclass 491 or subclass 494)

• Have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia for at least 3 years while holding your eligible visa

• Have complied with the conditions of your provisional visa

• Meet health and character requirements

 

There is no age limit for the subclass 191 visa and no need for a new skills assessment.

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Subclass 400 - Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

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The subclass 400 visa is a temporary work visa ideal for individuals with specialised skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in the Australian labour market.

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The subclass 400 visa is commonly used for short-term, non-ongoing projects, including highly specialised work assignments, urgent skills shortages or participation in short-term roles where local workers are not available.

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Key Features of the Subclass 400 Visa:

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• Short-term stay in Australia (generally up to 3 months; up to 6 months in limited cases)

• Allows you to work in a highly specialised role or participate in projects of national or commercial interest

• Streamlined option for businesses needing quick access to overseas expertise

• No need for employer sponsorship (unlike other employer-sponsored visas)

• Relatively fast processing times in comparison to most other employment-related visas

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Eligibility Criteria:

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• Have an invitation or offer of employment for a short-term, non-ongoing role in Australia

• Demonstrate that your work is highly specialised and not easily sourced from the local workforce

• Provide evidence of your skills, qualifications, and experience

• Meet health and character requirements

• Have adequate financial support for your stay in Australia

• Maintain appropriate health insurance during your stay

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In most cases, the Department expects the role to last no more than 3 months. Applications for up to 6 months may be considered in limited circumstances, particularly if a strong business case is made and the work is of national interest.

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Who Should Consider the Subclass 400 Visa?

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The subclass 400 employment visa is suitable for:

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• Professionals delivering highly specialised services on a short-term basis

• Overseas technicians installing or commissioning specialised machinery

• Specialists delivering consulting, training, or project-based services

• Employees seconded for a defined short-term period

• Workers filling urgent gaps where no Australian worker is available

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It is not intended for ongoing roles, labour hire, or work that can be fulfilled by the domestic workforce.

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This is a general overview of eligibility criteria for work visas in Australia. Other eligibility criteria may apply depending on your individual circumstances. We recommend you seek advice and support from a Registered Migration Agent.​​​​​​​​​​​