Introducing the Skills in Demand Visa (SID)

The Australian Government has revealed the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) Visa (SID Visa) as part of its effort to reform the nation’s skilled migration framework. Replacing the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) Visa, the SID Visa streamlines processes, improves pathways to permanent residence, and introduces updated eligibility criteria. 

These changes align with the Migration Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations, aimed at addressing labour shortages, driving growth in critical sectors, and enhancing Australia’s competitiveness in attracting global talent. 

Key features of the Skills in Demand Visa 

• Simplified streams: the SID(Skills in Demand) visa introduces three targeted streams: 

• Specialist Skills stream: For high-income earners (AUD 135,000+ annually) in skilled sectors (ANZSCO Major Group’s 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6), excluding trades and machinery roles. 

• Core Skills stream: Aligned with the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for workers earning AUD 73,150+. 

• Labour Agreement stream: For occupations under bespoke agreements between employers and the government.

Certain occupations will be subject to caveats, as identified on the CSOL (applicable across all streams), unless negotiated otherwise under the labour agreement. 

• Streamlined work experience requirements: reduced from two years to one year of relevant full-time work experience in the past five years. 

• Pathways to permanent residence: time spent on the SID(Skills in Demand) Visa and TSS Visa counts toward the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa. 

• Enhanced mobility for visa holders: allows up to 180 days between employment changes and up to 365 days across the visa period to find a new sponsor or apply for another visa. 

• New occupation list: the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) replaces outdated lists, consolidating 456 occupations and adding 70 new roles in critical industries like healthcare, cybersecurity, and construction. 

• Income thresholds: thresholds are indexed annually based on Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). 

• Language proficiency standards: applicants must achieve an IELTS score of at least 5 in all bands or equivalent. 

Detailed breakdown of the streams 

 Specialist Skills Stream 

• Purpose: attracts highly skilled professionals in high-income roles critical to economic growth.  

• Eligibility: 

• • Income threshold: AUD 135,000 or more annually. 

• • Occupations: roles listed under ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, including managers, professionals, and clerical workers. 

• • Excluded occupations: trades, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers (ANZSCO Major Groups 3, 7, and 8). 

• • Language proficiency: IELTS 5 or equivalent. 
    
    
•  Benefits: 
• • Offers a fast-track processing target of 7 days and  

• • No restrictions beyond excluded occupations, allowing broad flexibility for high-earning professionals. 

  
Core Skills Stream 

• Purpose: addresses national skills shortages across mid-income roles in critical sectors. 
  
  
•  Eligibility: 
• • Income threshold: AUD 73,150 or more annually. 

• • Occupation list: The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), developed by Jobs and Skills Australia, includes 456 roles with 70 new additions in healthcare, early childhood education, construction, and cybersecurity. 

• • Language Proficiency: IELTS 5 or equivalent. 
    
    
•  Benefits: tailored to meet immediate labour market demands, particularly in high-demand sectors. 

Labour Agreement Stream 

• Purpose: supports niche industries or roles outside the CSOL under Labour Agreements between employers and the government. 

• Eligibility: 

• • Occupations: Defined within approved Labour Agreements. 

• • Salary Requirements: Must meet thresholds specified in the agreement. 

• • Language Proficiency: IELTS 5 or equivalent unless otherwise specified.
    
    
• Benefits: customised terms for industries or regions facing acute labour shortages, such as agriculture or remote healthcare. 

Key distinctions between streams 

Eligibility criteria for employers 

• Demonstrate that no suitably skilled Australian candidates are available. 

• Show financial capability to meet nominated salaries without inflationary practices. 

• Comply with updated sponsorship obligations, including monitoring and reporting requirements. 

Eligibility criteria for applicants 

• Meet the income threshold specific to their stream. 

• Provide evidence of at least one year of relevant work experience in the past five years. 

• Satisfy English language requirements and any additional occupation-specific criteria. 

Benefits of the SID(Skills in Demand) visa 

For employers 

• Streamlined processes with a single consolidated occupation list. 

• Greater flexibility to hire skilled migrants in high-demand roles. 

For visa holders 

• Simplified pathways to permanent residency. 

• Greater mobility to switch employers without compromising eligibility. 

Transitioning from TSS(Temporary Skill Shortage) to SID(Skills in Demand) visa 

Current TSS visa holders: 

Under the SID visa framework, visa holders can retain their existing visa conditions or transition to the SID visa and can change employers under new mobility provisions. 

Transitioning from the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa has specific conditions tied to their ability to change employers. If a TSS visa holder’s current occupation: 

1.  Is not listed on the CSOL, they cannot change employers under the Core Skills stream of the SID visa. 
2. Does not meet the Specialist Skills stream income threshold (AUD 135,000+), they are also ineligible to transition to the Specialist Skills stream.  

In such cases, these visa holders face limited mobility. This means: 

• They cannot easily switch employers within the SID visa framework. 

• Their options are restricted to: 

• • Finding work in a new eligible occupation: Moving to a role that aligns with the CSOL and meet the income threshold. 

• • Applying for a different visa: Exploring alternative visa pathways, such as a permanent visa or a regional skilled visa, depending on eligibility. 

• • Departing Australia: If other options are unavailable, the visa holder may need to leave the country. 

New applicants:  

• Applications submitted after 7 December 2024 will need to meet the SID Visa requirements. 

Addressing industry concerns 

While the SID Visa introduces a streamlined and modernised approach to skilled migration, it has faced criticism for excluding essential trade roles from the CSOL. 

Industry leaders, particularly in construction and trades, have raised concerns that this exclusion could exacerbate labour shortages in critical sectors, especially during Australia’s housing and infrastructure boom.   

In response, the Australian Government has pointed to the Labour Agreement Stream as an alternative for industries with specific needs. However, many argue that a more balanced approach (incorporating essential trades into the CSO) would better align with national workforce priorities.  

The government has committed to ongoing consultations to address these concerns and ensure the SID Visa framework continues to evolve in line with Australia’s economic demands. 

Get in touch!  

To understand how the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa can address your business’s workforce needs or support your career aspirations, contact Absolute Immigration. For employers, this visa simplifies sponsorship, offers tailored solutions through specialised streams, and provides access to a broader talent pool. For skilled individuals, it opens doors to permanent residency and enhanced job mobility. 

Please contact aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com. Let our expert team guide you through the process and help you navigate this transformative change to Australia’s skilled migration system.