Australia is still considered as a favoured country to work with across the globe and immigration policies are a good indicator of the increasing demand by the country. The subclass 482 visa which falls under the Skills in Demand (SID) is a new program intended to address key human skill deficits confronting Australia at the moment. This visa effective 17 March 2020 replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, provides a permanent residency pathway when jobs are unavailable in the worker’s home country and aims at filling gaps in key areas of the economy. As of the 1st of July, 2024, New features of the SID visa address new and emerging requirements in the Australian labour market.
No matter if you are the skilled worker who needs this visa or the employer who is going to provide it to the necessary employee – you should know the specifics of working with the skill-in-demand visa, its criteria, and the general idea of how it operates. Well, let’s explore more about the features of it, streams, eligibility and how to apply so that your journey can be easier.
Key Features of the SID Visa
Skills in Demand Visa is relatively known for its flexibility, usability, and focus on the scarcity of workers’ deficits. Here are its main features:
- Validity Period: The time of a SID visa is up to 4 years, during which skilled workers can enter the Australian labour market and look for a way to gain permanent residence in the country.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: This visa allows eligible applicants to apply for permanent residency directly via the employer-nominated scheme or direct entries.
- Flexibility: SID visa holders can transfer from one employer to another under some circumstances and without affecting the type of visa they are given.
- Public Register of Approved Sponsors: The visa is accompanied by a public list of employers ready to hire workers, which encourages transparency.
These features make the Skill in Demand Visa Australia a valuable instrument for people searching for work in a prosperous country.
Streams of Skill in Demand Visa
The SID 482 visa is designed to cater to diverse skill levels and industries. It offers four distinct streams, each with specific criteria to ensure tailored solutions for labour market demands.
Core Skills Stream
The Core Skills Stream is aimed at the workers whose occupations are listed in the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which includes a wide range of professions essential for the further development of such spheres as healthcare, IT, education etc.
- Eligibility: Any applicant must have an offer of employment for a position classified in the CSOL.
- Income Threshold: Any worker is worthy of making a minimum of AUD 70,000 per year.
- Target Critical Workforce: Specializes in providing staff primarily in healthcare, engineering, and education industries.
Processing Time: Cases under this stream take average up to 3 to 6 months before they are disposed of.
Specialist Skills stream
This stream targets highly specialized professionals in niche industries where expertise is critical.
- Eligibility: The application requires a job offer in employment that demands skill or experience too specialized to be obtained locally in Australia.
- Salary Threshold: The minimum salary for eligibility is decided at $ 120,000 per annum.
- Processing Time: The processing periodulations vary between 2 to 4 months.
- Example Roles: Surgeons, cybersecurity experts, and aerospace engineers.
Labour agreement stream
For industries or roles where existing labour agreements are in place, this stream helps employers recruit international talent.
- Eligibility: Applicants must work in industries covered by labour agreements between the employer and the Australian government.
- Salary Threshold: This varies based on the agreement, but it generally aligns with industry norms.
- Processing Time: Applications are processed within 4 to 8 months.
Subsequent entrant
Like any subclass of SID visa, this one is intended primarily for family members of the holders of the visa, enabling them to live, work or study in Australia.
- Eligibility: Candidates who wish to apply must be a family relative of the SID visa holder, this includes spouse, partner and/or dependent children.
- Processing Time: Usually the report is produced in not more than 3 months subject to the nature of the investigation.
The various streams of the SID visa accommodate diverse workers and fields hence avoiding skewing the labor market.
Eligibility requirements
Before applying for the Skills in Demand visa in Australia, the applicant and the employer have to meet a number of requirements.
For Employers/Sponsors
Employers seeking to sponsor skilled workers must meet the following requirements:
- Labour Market Testing: There are strict requirements that the employer has to follow so as to justify why they are hiring foreign employees such as the ability of the employer to post the vacant positions locally before hiring overseas staff.
- Minimum Salary Thresholds: Sponsored workers must be paid above the TSMIT which is at AUD 70,000 per year.
For Applicants
Skilled workers must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
- Work Experience: At least 2 years experience in the field in the nominated occupation within the five years immediately preceding the lodgement of the application for the grant.
- English Proficiency: Applicants need to show certificates of English language proficiency which includes an IELTS score of 6 or equivalent.
- Police Clearance Certificates: One cannot have a criminal record, and still, be employed as a police officer.
Roadmap to Apply for SID visa
Applying for the skill in demand visa Australia must be well thought out and ordered in the most appropriate way. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Check your Eligibility
Determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for your chosen stream and whether your occupation is listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Gather your Documents
Gather together all the relevant documents which include your passport, employment contracts for the last 3 years, skills assessment report, adequate proof of English proficiency, and police clearances.
Submit your Application (through Immi account)
Submit your visa application for lodgement online via your ImmiAccount which is the official place for applying for an Australian visa.
Complete Health and Character checks
Medical examinations and character tests which are compulsory are conducted on the applicants.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Another advantage of the SID visa is that there is a certain line of getting permanent residence in Australia which makes this migration option favourable for skilled migrants in search of sustainable work in Australia. The Australian government appreciates skilled migrants and offers ways in which such people can change their visa to a more permanent status.
The pathway is facilitated through employer-sponsored programs such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa, which is divided into two primary streams: The two programs are namely Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and the Direct Entry (DE) stream.
These pathways enable the applicants to be granted permanent residence upon meeting certain requirements such as work experience, successful skills assessment and sponsorship by an Australian-approved employer.
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) – Temporary Residence Transition Stream (186 TRT)
The Temporary Residence Transition Stream applies for workers who under factual temporary visas such as the SID 482, already engage in employment in Australia. The option is given to them to attain permanent residence so long as they can meet certain conditions.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Employment Duration: Sponsored applicants must have 2 years of relevant work experience, substantiated by the certificate from the employer, and must be doing the same job with the same employer for the last 3 years.
- Visa Type: The work experience must have been served under a current valid temporary work visa such as Subclass 457, 482 (TSS), or 482 (SID).
- Continuous Employment: It should be paid work and should not be interrupted by any leave or where the individual is out of a job.
- Employer Nomination: The current employer has to vouch for the worker and apply for their permanent residency showing that he or she wants to keep the skilled worker.
This stream is suitable for those workers who have ALREADY found a place to enter the Australian labour market and obtain a permanent visa without additional SKILL assessment.
Direct Entry Stream (186 DE)
Direct Entry Stream is clearly differentiated from other occupations with skilled workers who can qualify for it because they have higher experience levels and more often have no fixed employment under a temporary visa as a prerequisite for qualification. It is for applicants in the nominated occupation whose skills are in demand and are provided in the CSOL.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Occupation: Every applicant must seek an occupation that is listed in the CSOL, while those critical ones are healthcare, information technology, engineering, and education among others.
- Skills Assessment: The approval of the applicant’s skills from an approved authority is however compulsory to ensure that he or she meets the necessary standard and qualifications.
- Work Experience: An applicant should have at least three years of qualifying full-time work experience in the nominated skilled occupation.
- Employer Nomination: An Australian employer must provide sponsorship for the applicant and prove that the skills of the applicant will be required in the country.
This working stream will appeal to post-secondary qualified persons with several years of work experience but have no prior experience working in Australia and who can make a positive contribution to the labour market.
Simplify Your SID 482 Visa Journey with Grace International Education and Migration
It can be very complicated when it comes to the application of the SID visa and yet one does not have to apply singly. Grace International Education and Migration can help you avail a visa in the easiest possible way. Having our hand in the market for several years, we aim at helping skilled workers and employers.
Whether you as a skilled worker planning to work and live in Australia or an employer looking for qualified professionals to fill important positions in your company, our consultants will guide you to ease your immigration process. We keep you informed on the latest in skill-in-demand visa news and policy updates so that you can stay on top of what matters: moving forward and creating your Australian dream career.
Together we can take your visions and convert them into tangible goals with individual care as well as precise assistance from our team of specialists. Contact Grace International Education and Migration now and start to apply for a visa to begin a successful journey to Australia.
FAQ
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What is the validity period of the Skills in Demand (SID) 482 visa?
The general Skills in Demand (SID) 482 visa is valid up to 4 years depending on the stream and the employment contract. The period makes the visa holder have an opportunity to work, reside, and maybe get a permanent resident’s permit in Australia provided they meet the set measures.
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How long can a visa holder search for a new sponsor if their employment ends?
If an employment program reaches a conclusion, the visa holder is conferred 60 days to explore for a new employer. At this time the individual must look for another employer who is willing to sponsor this visa or apply for another visa that would be suitable to the individual’s case. Failing to do so within the time permitted will amount to a violation of certain conditions of the visa.
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What steps can I take to find a new sponsor?
When you decide to look for new sponsor, using basic job search skills and formatting your resume is also crucial. Seeking jobs on seek or job offers on LinkedIn can also improve your odds as well as networking with the recruiters in your line of specialization. Some others include checking on the public register of approved sponsors since it provides a list of employers that are licensed to sponsor skilled workers under the SID visa.
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Can I bring my family members to Australia on this visa?
Yes, the Subsequent Entrant stream permits other family members to accompany the primary visa holder.
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Is the SID 482 visa a pathway to permanent residency?
Indeed, the SID visa enables pathways to permanent residency with the Employer Nomination Scheme visas.
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What are the costs associated with applying for a temporary work visa in Australia?
As has been explained above, the fees of the SID visa depend on the chosen stream and personal factors. Fees for lodgement generally cost from AU$ 1,330 to AU$ 2,770 for the primary applicant. Further charges are required for dependents, skilled employment tests, medical examinations and PCNs. Potential costs which applicants should include are fees charged by professionals who offer assistance in migration.
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Can I change my employer while holding a SID 482 visa?
The SID 482 visa allows for a change of employer, but this new employer must first be on the list of sponsors recognized by the government of Australia. This they should do, by nominating the worker for the same or a similar position in terms with the visa requirements. It’s also crucial to inform the Department of Home Affairs of the transfer to stay legal once it’s done.
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What should I do if my contact details have changed?
In case your details change whilst you hold the SID visa and having a new residential address, telephone number or e-mail address then these amended details must be entered into ImmiAccount. It helps to avoid such scenarios when, having changed address or place of work, you have to face certain inconveniences or even problems connected with visas.