A current agreement governs the pathway
A standard sponsored job offer is not sufficient by itself. Your employer must have an applicable labour agreement, and the proposed occupation must fit it.
AUSTRALIAN VISA PATHWAYS · OFFICIAL-SOURCE GUIDE
Subclass 482 Labour Agreement Stream | Skills in Demand
The current subclass 482 Labour Agreement stream is for skilled employees nominated under a qualifying Australian Government labour agreement. The older Temporary Skill Shortage name is historical.
Employer-sponsored temporaryLast verified: 18 October 2026
Temporary Guide to the current pathway, not an eligibility determination.
THE DECISION FRAMEWORK
RoleEmployer or talent eligibility
01StreamSelect the right visa
02EvidenceSponsor, skills & records
03ApplicationNomination & visa steps
04OutcomeComply with grant conditions
05StayGenerally up to 4 years
SponsorApproved employer
StreamsSpecialist / Core / Labour Agreement
StatusTemporary
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS / STREAM DETAIL
What matters for this pathway
The current subclass 482 Labour Agreement stream is for skilled employees nominated under a qualifying Australian Government labour agreement. The older Temporary Skill Shortage name is historical.
Variable criteria
The agreement may set occupation, English, salary, qualifications and work-experience conditions, in addition to legislation. Check the exact agreement.
Temporary status
Length of stay is normally up to four years depending on the agreement, with separate concessions and arrangements in some cases; permanent residence is not automatic.
Transition to another visa
Eligible holders may later explore employer-nominated permanent pathways, but this requires a fresh eligibility check.
Check the government stream criteriaLabour Agreement streamSID overview
01 / INTRODUCTION
Who should consider this visa?
The current subclass 482 Labour Agreement stream is for skilled employees nominated under a qualifying Australian Government labour agreement. The older Temporary Skill Shortage name is historical.
Core idea
Australia’s current subclass 482 skilled work visa, replacing the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) branding.
02 / ELIGIBILITY
Core eligibility and evidence
Start with these themes, then verify the relevant visa stream and current government criteria before any application.
An employer must sponsor or nominate the position under the relevant requirements.
The applicant must have the skills and experience required for the occupation and stream, plus relevant English where required.
The nominated role and salary must satisfy current stream-specific rules, occupation instruments and applicable thresholds.
The sponsor must comply with employment and sponsorship obligations; specific conditions can restrict work to the approved role and sponsor.
A practical application sequence
Sequence matters. Each stage depends on the evidence collected at the one before it.
01
Employer role assessment
Determine whether the actual duties and employment terms match a valid occupation or labour agreement.
02
Choose the stream
Assess Specialist Skills, Core Skills or Labour Agreement settings instead of assuming the former TSS streams apply.
03
Nomination and applicant records
Prepare position evidence, contract, employment history and English documents.
04
Lodge and monitor
Follow nomination and visa processing; comply with grant conditions after approval.
04 / IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
What applicants often overlook
“Temporary Skill Shortage” and “Short-term stream” are outdated labels for new subclass 482 Skills in Demand applications.
Visa income thresholds were indexed from 1 July 2026; never publish a static salary figure without an update protocol.
The visa itself is temporary; employer nomination under subclass 186 is a separate permanent residence process.
A sponsor’s willingness to hire is not sufficient by itself. Labour-market, salary, occupation, nomination and visa validity requirements must also be met.
05 / COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Answers reflect the official program material checked in October 2026. Individual facts can change the outcome.
Is the 482 still called TSS?
For new applications, the subclass 482 program is called Skills in Demand (SID). Historical TSS cases can have transitional considerations.
Do I need an employer?
Yes. The applicant needs relevant employer sponsorship and nomination.
Is the 482 a permanent visa?
No. It is temporary, although some holders may later qualify for a separate permanent pathway.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Verify with Home Affairs
Read the official visa pages before relying on a threshold, stream, deadline, occupation list or eligibility claim.
Official Home Affairs references · Reviewed 18 October 2026
Related visa pathways
PermanentSubclass 186Employer Nomination SchemeA permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an eligible Australian employer.View guide ProvisionalSubclass 494Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)Regional employer sponsorship for skilled workers filling roles in designated regional Australia.View guide TemporarySubclass 400Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)For short-duration work requiring highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience not generally available in Australia.View guide