The Specialist Skills is one of the streams within the Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482. 

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 Visa will be available to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria. 

Key features for the Specialist Skills visa include:  

• The Specialist Skills Visa provides a work visa for up to four years.
• 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 will count toward permanent residency requirements. This will avoid the clock resetting with each employer.
• The Specialist Skills Visa will have a clear path to permanent residency in Australia.
• You can potentially apply for PR 186 Temporary Residence Transition Stream after holding a 482 visa for at least 2 years, but you will still need your employer to nominate you.

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 AUD 135,000 a year

Specialist Skills Requirement:

• Be nominated to work in an occupation listed under Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 of the ANZSCO
• Have a salary that meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (currently AUD 135,000)
• Have a minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• Obtain a relevant skills assessment, if required for your occupation
• Work exclusively for your sponsor or an associated entity, unless exempt
• Meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements unless you are exempt from providing proof
• There is no age limit for the Specialist Skills Stream; however, the applicant must be under 45 to apply for Permanent Residency through the 186 Visa 

Specialist Skills English Requirement:

• IELTS overall 5.0, with at least 5.0 in each test component
• PTE overall of at least 36, with at least 36 in each test component

Specialist Skills Cost:

The Core Skills stream visa fee is AUD 3,115.00 for the main applicant and for each dependent aged 18 years and older.

For dependents under 18 years old, the fee is AUD 780.00 per person.

Additional costs may apply for English language tests, health checks, police certificates and migration agent or immigration lawyer. 

Processing times: 

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

Other Skills in Demand Pathways: 

Core Skills Stream

Labour Agreement Stream

Click here to learn more about the Skills in Demand Visa.

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