Specialist Skills Visa Pathway

The Specialist Skills is one of the pathways 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.

Criteria:

Being nominated by an approved employer
Meeting health and character requirements
This visa will be 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 Visa processing time is expected to be very quick, only 7 days.

Key features for the Specialist Skills visa include: 

The Specialist Skills Visa will provide a 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 will count toward permanent residence requirements. This will avoid the clock resetting with each employer.
The Specialist Skills Visa will have a clear path to permanent residency in Australia.
There will be a public register of sponsors to assist individuals in finding a new sponsor.