Insights
Australia Work Visa for Employers: Skills in Demand 482, Sponsorship and Costs (2026)
Insights · By Chen ChunJie · Published 6 November 2026
Most foreign workers need an employer-sponsored visa to work in Australia, usually the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). Only an approved Australian sponsor can nominate the worker, the salary must meet an income threshold and the market rate, and the worker must work in the sponsor’s own business.
Last reviewed in November 2026 against Department of Home Affairs, Fair Work and ATO guidance. General information, not legal or migration advice.
Which route fits which person
Citizenship, occupation, salary and location decide the options.
| Situation | Usual route |
|---|---|
| New Zealand citizen | No sponsorship needed |
| Partner of a visa holder with full work rights | No sponsorship needed |
| Professional in a high-paid role | 482 Specialist Skills |
| Occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List | 482 Core Skills |
| Role in regional Australia | 494, with a pathway to permanent residence |
| Short, highly specialised task | 400, generally up to 3 months |
How 482 sponsorship works, step by step
- Check the role. Confirm the stream, the occupation and that the salary meets the income threshold and the market rate.
- Become a sponsor. The employer applies for Standard Business Sponsorship, valid for 5 years.
- Test the labour market. At least two national advertisements of 28 days within 4 months before nomination, unless an exemption applies.
- Lodge the nomination. Pay the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
- Lodge the visa. The worker applies, with skills, English and health evidence.
- Start work. Only once the visa is granted.
- Meet sponsor obligations. Equal terms, records and notifying changes within 28 days.
- Plan the next step. Renewal, or the 186 permanent visa after 2 years.
What employers usually prepare
- Business details for the sponsorship application
- The job description, salary and market rate evidence
- Copies of the job advertisements
- The person’s CV, qualifications and work references
- English test results and passport
Sources: Department of Home Affairs.
482 streams and costs in 2026
| Item | Specialist Skills | Core Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Income threshold | AUD 146,576 | AUD 79,423 |
| Occupations | Most professional and managerial roles | Core Skills Occupation List |
| Typical decision time | About 7 business days | About 21 business days |
| SAF levy per year | AUD 1,200 or 1,800 | AUD 1,200 or 1,800 |
| Visa length | Up to 4 years | Up to 4 years |
Thresholds apply to nominations from 1 July 2026 and are indexed each year. The main visa fee is AUD 4,015.
The on-hire rule
A sponsored worker must fill a position in the sponsor’s own business.
- Control decides. The worker can work at a client site if the sponsor sets the tasks and supervises the work.
- Supplying staff. Placing a 482 holder under another business’s control needs an on-hire labour agreement.
- Labour hire licences. Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT license the supply of workers.
- Service contracts. A defined service, delivered and managed by the provider, is treated differently from supplying a person.
Employer obligations from day one
- Fair Work. The National Employment Standards and any modern award apply.
- Superannuation. 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid within 7 business days of payday under Payday Super.
- Tax. PAYG withholding and, above the threshold, state payroll tax.
- Workers’ compensation. Compulsory insurance in each state.
Need a foreign national working in Australia without your own company? See Expat Employment in Australia.
Tax and penalties
Many 482 holders are Australian tax residents and pay resident rates plus the Medicare levy. Foreign residents pay 30% from the first dollar up to AUD 135,000. Breaching sponsor obligations can lead to fines, cancellation of the sponsorship and a bar, and the most serious exploitation can lead to a prohibited-employer declaration. See our Australia employment law guide.
FAQ: Australia work visas
Can a foreign company sponsor a 482 visa?
No. The sponsor must be a lawfully operating business approved as a Standard Business Sponsor. Without your own Australian company, see Expat Employment in Australia.
What are the 482 income thresholds in 2026?
AUD 79,423 for Core Skills and AUD 146,576 for Specialist Skills, for nominations from 1 July 2026.
Is labour market testing required?
Usually, yes: two national advertisements of at least 28 days within 4 months before nomination, unless an exemption applies.
Can a 482 holder change employer?
Yes. They have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor after leaving.
Can a sponsored worker be placed with a client?
Only if the sponsor keeps control of the work. Supplying the worker to another business needs a labour agreement.
Does a 482 visa lead to permanent residence?
Often, through the 186 visa after 2 years with an approved sponsor.
Need a foreign specialist working in Australia?
We take on the work you define, and our Local Team sponsors, employs and manages the person. Tell us about the assignment.
Related
How we sponsor, employ and manage foreign nationals.
Hiring, pay, leave and termination rules.