From a gap-year bar job to a six-figure specialist role — there's a lane for you.
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the old TSS 482 and is Australia's main employer-sponsored work visa. You need a sponsoring employer and an eligible role. Stay up to 4 years, bring family, and count time toward permanent residency. Three streams:
| Stream | Salary requirement (from 1 Jul 2026) | Occupation requirement | PR pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Skills | ≥ AUD $79,499 (CSIT) and market rate | On the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | Yes — typically via 186 after 2 years |
| Specialist Skills | ≥ AUD $146,717 (SSIT) | No occupation list (trades/machinery/labouring excluded) | Yes — priority processing |
| Labour Agreement | Per agreement | Per employer/industry agreement (incl. DAMAs) | Varies |
Thresholds index annually with average earnings (AWOTE); the 2026 update applies to nominations lodged from 1 July 2026. Official reference: Home Affairs — recent skilled changes.
Aged 18–30 (or 18–35 for some passports)? The Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) visas give you 12 months in Australia with full work rights — the classic gap-year route. Application charge: AUD $840. Complete specified regional work (e.g. farm seasons) to unlock second and third years. Which subclass you need depends on your passport — see the official 417 / 462 pages.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa lets regional employers sponsor workers for 5 years, with a PR pathway via subclass 191 after 3 years living and working regionally. Same CSIT salary floor as the 482 Core Skills stream. Regional Australia means everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — including cities like Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and the Gold Coast.