Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): Labour Agreement Stream

AUD4,015 for the main applicant and each dependant aged 18 or over, and AUD1,005 for each dependant under 18. Concessions apply in limited circumstances, including a lower cost for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026. You will also pay for English tests, health checks, police certificates and biometrics.

For the period your employer nominates you, up to 4 years (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders). The visa cannot be extended: to keep working for your employer, they lodge a new nomination and you apply for a new visa, or your employer may sponsor you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

You can include your partner and dependent children, and some other dependent relatives, in your application. Family members can live, study and work in Australia. They can also apply later as subsequent entrants.

In or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance. If applying in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B or C.

You must start work within 90 days of arriving (or of the grant, if you are already in Australia), and work only in your nominated occupation for your sponsor or an associated entity. If you stop working for your sponsor, you have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor or leave Australia.

Unless the agreement says otherwise, you need at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience (or equivalent) within the last 5 years.

You need a level of English suitable for the nominated occupation, as set out in the agreement.

If you apply in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B or C, and have substantially complied with the conditions of your last visa.

You and your family are personally responsible for healthcare costs, so you must keep adequate health insurance for your whole stay (unless a reciprocal healthcare agreement covers you).

You and family members applying with you must meet the health requirement, and those aged 16 or over must meet the character requirement. Permanent and provisional visa applicants, and family members applying with them, must have health examinations with an approved panel physician. Temporary visa applicants might need them, depending on the visa and their circumstances. For the character requirement, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and Form 80.

Nobody in your family may have asked for, offered, received or provided a benefit in return for a sponsorship-related event.

Previous visa refusals or cancellations are considered, and any debts to the Australian Government must be repaid or arranged.

Applicants aged 18 or over must agree to respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.

Work in your nominated occupation for your sponsor, study and travel as often as you like. You must start work within 90 days and meet all visa conditions.

Let Home Affairs know about changes to your contact details, passport, employer, employment (including promotions and hours), relationship status or the birth of a child.

You have up to 180 days to find a new sponsoring employer or make arrangements to leave Australia.

You cannot extend this visa. Your employer can lodge a new nomination for a new visa, or may sponsor you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

If you leave Australia permanently, you may be able to claim your superannuation.

A nomination lasts 12 months from approval. You can nominate from inside or outside Australia.

You remain responsible for the visa holder and their family until another approved sponsor has a new approved nomination for them.

Salary, English, experience and other concessions follow the terms of your agreement.

You may be able to sponsor the worker for permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream.