🇦🇺 Work visa · Australia
Australia's Skills in Demand Visa (SID)
A work visa for in-demand professionals, allowing foreign specialists to legally live and work in Australia for up to 4 years.
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is Australia's new immigration program allowing foreign professionals with in-demand skills to live and work in the country for up to 4 years. Launched on 7 December 2024, SID replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa.
Legal basis and eligibility
SID is regulated under the same legislative framework as subclass 482, with updated conditions. The Department of Home Affairs sets out several requirements.
- Employer sponsor. You need a job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor you. An application is only possible with an approved Standard Business Sponsor.
- Eligible occupation and income. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), with pay at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (around AUD 73,150 a year). Alternatively, the Specialist Skills stream requires a salary from AUD 135,000 a year and the occupation need not be on CSOL. A third route is a Labour Agreement for specific sectors and regions.
- Work experience. At least 1 year of relevant experience (or part-time equivalent) within the last 5 years.
- English language. IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 5.0 in each band, or an accepted equivalent — PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge.
- Health and character. Medical checks, police clearances and health insurance for your stay.
- Licensing. Regulated occupations (doctors, nurses, electricians, teachers) require the relevant Australian licence or registration.
SID has no strict upper age limit — specialists of any age can apply.
On a free consultation we check whether you meet the SID criteria and outline your next step.
Benefits of the Skills in Demand Visa (SID)
Up to 4 years validity
Granted for up to four years, without needing to renew your status annually.
Flexibility to change employers
You can move to a new sponsor without leaving Australia or applying for a new visa. If your job ends, you get up to 180 days to find a new employer — up from the former 60–90 days.
Direct pathway to permanent residence
After 2 years on SID you may qualify for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 PR visa with employer support.
Simplified experience requirements
Just 1 year of recent relevant experience is required — less than the 2–3 years many other programs demand.
How to get the Skills in Demand Visa (SID): step by step
Check eligibility
Confirm your occupation is on CSOL, or that you meet the Specialist Skills salary threshold. Prepare qualification evidence and an English test result.
Find an employer-sponsor
Find an Australian employer willing to hire you and hold (or obtain) Standard Business Sponsorship.
Nomination and documentation
The employer conducts Labour Market Testing (at least 4 weeks) and lodges the nomination. You prepare your passport, CV, qualifications, English test results, police checks and medical documents.
Lodge your visa application
After nomination approval, apply via ImmiAccount and pay the visa charge — around AUD 3,115 for the main applicant, about the same for an adult spouse, and around AUD 780 per child under 18.
Processing and arrival
Specialist Skills cases can be finalised in about 7 days; Core Skills commonly take 3–4 weeks with a complete file. After grant, you can travel to Australia, start work with your sponsor, open a bank account and obtain a TFN.
FAQ
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