The Specialist Skills Stream of the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482) enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in highly skilled workers where local talent cannot be sourced.
The Skills in Demand Visa has three pathways, however the Specialist Skills pathway will ensure that Australian employers can quickly and easily recruit highly skilled professionals. It targets top-tier professionals with specialised expertise essential to Australia’s economic development.
The Specialist Skills Stream will be granted for up to four years (five years for Hong Kong passport holders). Applicants can be in or outside of Australia when applying for this visa.
The Specialist Skills Stream will be available to applicants who are nominated to work in an occupation listed in major groups 1,2,4,5 or 6 on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) with a salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of $135,000.
The Skills in Demand Visa – Specialist Skills Stream enables visa holders to:
- Work in Australia for a sponsor for up to four years (five for Hong Kong passport holders)
- Study (without government assistance)
- Travel to and from Australia throughout the validity of the visa
- Apply for permanent residence, if eligible
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Skills in Demand Visa – Specialist Skills Stream, applicants must:
- Be nominated to work in an occupation listed in major groups 1,2,4,5 or 6 of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)
- Have relevant skills, qualifications and employment background to perform their occupation. If the nominated occupation is a medical practitioner, the qualifications must be recognised by a relevant authority in Australia for the registration of medical practitioners to enable them to practice as a medical practitioner.
- Have at least one year of relevant work experience in their nominated occupation or a related field
- Have a relevant skills assessment if required for their occupation
- Work only for their sponsor or associated entity, unless an exemption applies
- Meet minimum standards of English language (IELTS 5.0), unless exempt
- Hold a substantive visa or Bridging Visa A, B or C if applying from within Australia
- Have complied with conditions of any previous visas held
- Work for their nominating employer
– If they have an Australian business sponsor, they must be employed in their nominated occupation in that business or associated entity
– If they have an overseas business sponsor, they must be employed in their nominated occupation and in that business only (not an associated entity)
- Meet health requirements
- Have health insurance
- Meet character requirements
- Have not contravened ‘paying for a business sponsorship’ legislative provisions
- Have not had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
- Have no debt to the Australian Government
- Sign the Australian values statement
Additional Information
Staying Longer
Holders of this visa may be able to extend their stay if their visa is expiring and they wish to remain in Australia and work for their existing employer. In order to do so, the employer will need to submit a new nomination, and applicants will need to apply for a new visa. The employer may also be able to sponsor the applicant for permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
Bring Family
Family members can also be included in the visa application. The family members that can be added will depend on whether the primary applicant currently holds a Subclass 457 or 482 Visa. (For more information about adding family members to a visa application, visit the Department of Home Affairs website)
Processing Times
Applications for the SID Visa – Specialist Skills Stream will be subjected to priority processing of seven days.
Obligations
Skills in Demand Visa holders must meet all conditions of the visa and obey Australian laws. Visa holders must begin their employment within 90 days of entering Australia if the applicant is outside Australia when the visa is granted. If the applicant is in Australia when the visa is granted, then they must commence employment within 90 days of the visa grant date.
If you would like to learn more about the Skills in Demand Visa or any other aspect of immigration, contact the experienced team of registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia.
