Australia: Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaces TSS 482

Who it affects

All employer-sponsored temporary skilled migration from December 2024.

Sources

Primary: Department of Home Affairs (Australia) ↗

Corroborating: Jobs and Skills Australia ↗

Verified 2026-04-19 · methodology · report a correction

Related changes in Australia

More recent updates

In force 29 Nov 2025

In force Visa & immigration

Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025

Effective 29 November 2025, technical amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 aligned the operational mechanics of the Skills in Demand visa — extending the Minister's power to cancel SID visas where sponsorship obligations are breached, updating sponsored-person definitions under labour agreements, clarifying employer-sponsor obligation termination circumstances, and ensuring overseas SID refusals are reviewable.

Who it affects: Technical compliance for SID 482 sponsors and applicants.

Parliament of Australia ↗ · Department of Home Affairs (Australia) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jul 2025

In force Visa & immigration

Core Skills Income Threshold indexed to AUD 73,150 for 2025-26

The Core Skills Income Threshold rose to AUD 73,150/year for 2025-26 (indexed from AUD 70,000 initial) — an approximately 4.5% uplift. Specialist Skills threshold (AUD 135,000+) remains unchanged. Annual indexation is now the established pattern under the SID framework.

Who it affects: SID Core Skills applicants sponsored from 1 July 2025.

Department of Home Affairs (Australia) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 7 Dec 2024

In force Visa & immigration

Condition 8107 allows 180 days with other employers

The reformed Condition 8107 now allows SID 482 visa holders to cease work with their sponsor and work for any other employer for up to 180 days (or up to 1 year cumulatively over the visa's duration). Materially reduces the historic tied-to-sponsor vulnerability of employer-sponsored visa holders.

Who it affects: All SID 482 visa holders.

Department of Home Affairs (Australia) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 7 Dec 2024

In force Visa & immigration

Core Skills Occupation List replaces legacy skilled lists

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) — maintained by Jobs and Skills Australia — replaced the multiple legacy occupation lists (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL) for SID Core Skills purposes. CSOL is designed to respond dynamically to labour-market-shortage indicators. Jobs and Skills Australia publishes updates at least annually; reconfirm before lodging.

Who it affects: Employers and applicants navigating the SID Core Skills stream.

Jobs and Skills Australia ↗ · Department of Home Affairs (Australia) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 7 Dec 2024

In force Residency

ENS (subclass 186) qualifying period reduced under SID transition

The Employer Nomination Scheme qualifying period was reduced under the SID transition — SID holders can apply for ENS after just 2 years with their sponsor (previously 3 years under TSS). Further reduces the temporary-to-permanent pathway friction.

Who it affects: SID 482 visa holders seeking permanent residence.

Department of Home Affairs (Australia) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 7 Dec 2024

In force Visa & immigration

Work-experience requirement reduced from 2 years to 1 year

As part of the SID visa reform, the required prior work experience was reduced from 2 years to 1 year. Opens the SID pathway to applicants who would previously have been ineligible on work-experience grounds — particularly recent graduates and early-career specialists.

Who it affects: All SID 482 applicants.

Department of Home Affairs (Australia) ↗ · verified 2026-04-19