Overview
Australian work visas are visas with work rights; there is no separate work permit. The Skills in Demand visa lets an employer sponsor a skilled worker for a position it cannot fill with a suitably skilled Australian.
It has three streams. The Core Skills stream is for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List. The Specialist Skills stream is for higher-paid roles in most professional occupation groups. The Labour Agreement stream is for employers with a labour agreement with the government.
The Work and Holiday visa is a different kind of route: an extended holiday with the right to work to fund it, with no sponsor. A visitor visa does not allow work.
Work routes
| Route | Who it is for | Job offer or sponsor needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa, Core Skills stream | Workers nominated in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List | Yes. Nomination by an approved sponsor |
| Skills in Demand visa, Specialist Skills stream | Workers in ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 whose salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold | Yes. Nomination by an approved sponsor |
| Skills in Demand visa, Labour Agreement stream | Workers nominated by an employer with a labour agreement | Yes. The employer must have a labour agreement in effect |
| Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) | Indian passport holders aged 18 to 30, selected in a ballot | No sponsor or job offer |
The Department of Home Affairs also lists permanent skilled visas, including employer-nominated and points-tested visas. They have separate criteria and are not covered here.
Eligibility
Core Skills stream
- Nomination to work in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List.
- Pay at the annual market salary rate for the occupation, and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold.
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
- A relevant skills assessment, if required for your occupation.
- Minimum standards of English, unless exempt.
- Work only for your sponsor or an associated entity, unless exempt.
Specialist Skills stream
- An occupation in ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6.
- A nominated salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
- Nomination by an approved sponsor.
- The skills and English required for the visa.
Labour Agreement stream
- Nomination by an employer whose labour agreement with the Australian Government is in effect.
- The terms set in that agreement.
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
- Aged 18 to 30 inclusive.
- A passport from an eligible country; Indian passport holders must first be selected in the pre-application ballot.
- Applying online from outside Australia.
- Not accompanied by dependent children.
Job offer and sponsorship
For the Skills in Demand visa, you must be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor. The employer becomes a sponsor, nominates the position and you then apply for the visa.
The Work and Holiday visa is the exception: it needs no sponsor or job offer, but Indian applicants must be randomly selected in the ballot before they can apply.
Who does what
Work visa applications fail most often when it is unclear who is responsible for which step. This is how the duties are split.
What the employer does
- Be approved as a sponsor.
- Nominate the skilled position and show it cannot be filled by a suitably skilled Australian.
- Pay at least the market salary rate and the income threshold for the stream.
- Hold a labour agreement, for the Labour Agreement stream.
What you do
- Show the skills and work experience for the occupation.
- Get a skills assessment if your occupation needs one.
- Meet the English language requirement.
- Apply online and pay the visa charge.
- Work only for your sponsor, unless exempt.
Documents
Common documents
- Valid passport
- Details of your sponsor’s nomination
- Evidence of qualifications and work experience
- English language test results, unless exempt
- Health and character documents requested by the Department
- Skills assessment, if required for your occupation
Route-specific documents
| Route or case | Additional documents |
|---|---|
| Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) | Confirmation that you were selected in the ballot; Evidence that you meet the age and other criteria for your country |
| Labour Agreement stream | Evidence required under the terms of the labour agreement |
For photo sizes and background rules, see our visa photo requirements tool.
How to apply
Find an employer that is, or will become, an approved sponsor.
The employer lodges the nomination for your position.
Gather your evidence: experience, qualifications, English and any skills assessment.
Apply for the visa online and pay the visa charge.
Provide health and character information when asked.
Wait for the decision. Do not make travel or work commitments until the visa is granted.
For the Work and Holiday visa: register for the ballot, and apply only if you are selected.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), any stream | From AUD 4,015 | Visa application charge for the main applicant |
| Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) | AUD 840 | Visa application charge |
| Sponsorship and nomination charges | Not confirmed here | Paid by the employer |
| Skills assessment, English test and health checks | Vary by provider | Paid to the assessing body, test provider or clinic |
Costs are in Australian dollars. The Department’s Visa Pricing Estimator gives the charge for your case; it does not include a second instalment or other costs.
Processing time
| Stage or route | Official timeframe |
|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa | Varies by stream and sector; use the Department’s visa processing time guide |
| Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) | An average of around three months is expected |
The Department prioritises Skills in Demand applications under a ministerial direction: healthcare, construction, teaching and similar sectors, and the Specialist Skills stream, are processed ahead of others. Published times are a guide only.
Validity and renewal
| Route | Validity | Renewal and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) | Up to 4 years | For the Labour Agreement stream, up to 4 years depending on the agreement |
| Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) | 12 months | A second visa is possible if you meet further criteria |
Family and job changes
Dependants
Family members can be included in a Skills in Demand application, or can apply later as subsequent entrants to join the main visa holder; the charge for a subsequent entrant also starts from AUD 4,015.
On the Work and Holiday visa you must not be accompanied by dependent children.
Changing employers
Skills in Demand visa holders must work only for their sponsor or an associated entity, unless exempt. Moving to another employer needs a new nomination from an approved sponsor. Check the current visa conditions with the Department before you resign.
Common mistakes
- An occupation that is not on the Core Skills Occupation List for the stream you chose.
- A salary below the income threshold or the market salary rate.
- Less than one year of relevant work experience.
- No skills assessment where the occupation requires one.
- Booking travel before the visa is granted.
- Applying for the Work and Holiday visa without being selected in the ballot.
How we can help
My Visa Assistance provides visa information, document checklists and application support. For a work visa or permit, that means:
- An assessment call to identify which route fits your job offer and profile.
- A personalised document checklist for that route.
- Help completing the application forms and booking appointments.
- A review of your file before you submit it.
What we do not do: we are not a recruitment agency or a registered recruiting agent, we do not arrange jobs or employer sponsorship, and we cannot guarantee approval. Decisions are made only by the government authorities.
Send us an enquiry or call +91 85518 05523. If you are travelling as a visitor instead, see our Australia visa guide.
FAQs
It is the subclass 482 temporary visa that lets an employer sponsor a suitably skilled worker for a position it cannot fill with a suitably skilled Australian. It has Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams.
The Department of Home Affairs lists the cost as from AUD 4,015 for each stream.
Up to 4 years. In the Labour Agreement stream the length depends on the terms of the agreement.
At least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.
Yes, through a ballot. Indian passport holders aged 18 to 30 must register for the pre-application ballot and be randomly selected before they can apply. The visa costs AUD 840 and lasts 12 months.
It varies. The Department publishes a processing time guide and currently prioritises certain sectors and the Specialist Skills stream. For the Work and Holiday visa it expects an average of around three months.
Yes. Family members can be included or can apply later as subsequent entrants.
For the Skills in Demand visa, yes: you must be nominated by an approved sponsor. The Work and Holiday visa needs no sponsor.
Official sources
Last verified: . The facts on this page come from these official pages. Immigration rules, fees and timeframes change, so confirm them before you apply.
- Department of Home Affairs: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- Department of Home Affairs: Skills in Demand visa, Core Skills stream
- Department of Home Affairs: Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
What we could not verify
- The income threshold amounts, indexed on 1 July 2026, and the English test scores were not read, so no figures are given.
- Employer sponsorship and nomination charges were not confirmed.
- Permanent skilled visas are not covered.