This article is updated regularly. Last updated: Monday 6th of January 2025

What is the new Skills in Demand Visa? 

The Migration Strategy, released in December 2023, introduced the new Skills in Demand Visa (SID), which was implemented on the 7th of December 2024. The SID Visa is an employer-sponsored visa, meaning the applicant needs an employer to sponsor them.

The Skills in Demand Visa has three streams: the Specialist Skills Stream, the Core Skills Stream and the Labour Agreement Stream. It is a temporary skilled worker visa, valid for up to four years, with a clear pathway to permanent residency.

The Skills in Demand Visa maintains the same subclass as the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa, meaning it is the Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482.

For the new Skills in Demand Visa, the work experience requirement has been reduced from 2 years to 1 year.

Key features:  

• The new Skills in Demand Visa provides up to four-year work visa
• Visa holders will have the ability to move between sponsors with 180 days to find a new sponsor
• The time spent with any approved employer counts toward permanent residency requirements. This will avoid the clock resetting with each employer
• All streams (Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement) have a clear path to permanent residency in Australia
• The applicant still needs an employer to sponsor them 
• There is no age limit to apply for the Skills in Demand Visa

Specialist Skills Stream

This pathway recognises highly skilled migrants are hugely beneficial to Australia's national productivity, including through their support of critical sovereign capabilities and potential to grow the skills and expertise of the Australian workforce. The Specialist Skills Stream will be available to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria. 

Criteria: 

• Being nominated by an approved employer
• Meeting health and character requirements
• The Specialist Skills Stream is available to any occupation except trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and laborers 
• The applicant will need to have earnings of at least AU$ 135,000 a year

Processing times: 

The Specialist Skills Stream processing time is expected to be very quick, only 7 days. 

Click here to learn more about the Specilaist Skills Stream.

Core Skills Stream

Most temporary skilled migrants will come through the Core Skills Stream. To apply for the Core Skills Stream the applicant must have their occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). 

Criteria:

• Available for a wider range of occupations, including registered nurses, trades, and some machinery operators
• Individuals with occupations on the new Core Skills Occupation List
• Individuals with a salary at or above AU$ 73,150 a year

Core Skills Occupation List:

On December 3, 2024, the Australian Government announced the release of the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which includes 456 occupations.

Click here to check the Core Skills Occupation List.

Processing times:

The Core Skills Stream processing time is expected to be approximately 21 days.

Click here to learn more about the Core Skills Stream.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement Stream is for skilled workers who are nominated by employers with a Labour Agreement such as a DAMA, allowing them to live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour agreements are established between the Australian Government and employers.

Criteria: 

• Be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a Labour Agreement
• This visa might include individuals earning a salary under the TSMIT, which is currently AU$ 73,150 a year

Click here to lear more about the Labour Agreement Stream.

Skills in Demand Visa Cost 

The Skills in Demand Visa fee is AUD 3,115.00 for the main applicant and for each dependent aged 18 and over.

For dependents under 18 years old, the cost is AUD 780.00.

Additional costs may apply for English language tests, health checks, police certificates and migration agents or lawyers.

Requirements for employers in terms of the Skills in Demand Visa

Labour Market Testing

The Skills in Demand Visa maintains the Labor Market Testing requirement. Labor Market Testing generally involves advertising the position in Australia to demonstrate to the government that the business is sponsoring someone because they were unable to find a suitable Australian worker to fill the position.

Skilling Australia Fund

The Skilling Australia Fund is a fee that the employer must pay to the government to access the visa program, providing funds for training Australians. 

Sources: 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-visa-subclass-482