Australia continues to attract international professionals in healthcare, engineering, information technology, construction, education and skilled trades. Employers facing genuine recruitment difficulties can sponsor appropriately qualified overseas workers for eligible positions.

An important change applies to people researching the Australian 482 visa in 2025. The Temporary Skill Shortage visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand visa on 7 December 2024. The visa continues to use subclass 482, but it now operates through different streams and updated occupation rules.

For many applicants, the relevant occupation list is the Core Skills Occupation List. However, having a job on this list does not provide automatic sponsorship. The applicant still needs an eligible employer, a formal nomination, suitable qualifications, relevant experience and a salary that satisfies the applicable threshold.

This guide explains Australia’s skilled occupation list jobs in 2025, the employer-sponsored subclass 482 visa, eligible career areas, salary requirements and possible pathways to permanent residence.

Immigration rules, occupation lists and salary thresholds can change. Applicants should verify the current requirements before accepting an offer, paying a professional fee or submitting an application.

What Is the Employer-Sponsored Subclass 482 Visa?

The Skills in Demand visa allows an approved Australian business to sponsor a qualified foreign worker for an eligible position. It is a temporary visa, but some holders may later qualify for permanent residence through another employer-sponsored programme.

The subclass 482 visa generally requires three connected stages:

1. The business must hold or obtain approval to sponsor foreign workers.
2. The employer must nominate an eligible position.
3. The worker must submit a visa application and meet the personal requirements.

A worker cannot normally obtain a 482 visa independently without an employer nomination. Similarly, a company cannot guarantee approval merely because it is willing to offer a job.

Depending on the employment arrangement and visa stream, the subclass 482 visa can permit a worker to remain in Australia for several years. Conditions may restrict the holder to working in the nominated occupation for the sponsoring employer or an associated entity.

Main Streams of the Skills in Demand Visa

The Skills in Demand visa has three main streams. Applicants should know which stream the employer intends to use because occupation and salary requirements differ.

Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills stream covers occupations included on the Core Skills Occupation List. It is expected to be the main pathway for many sponsored professionals and tradespeople.

The employer must offer at least the applicable Core Skills Income Threshold or the annual market salary rate for the position, whichever requirement results in the higher qualifying salary.

From 1 July 2025, the Core Skills Income Threshold increased to approximately AUD 76,515. Applicants should verify the current figure because the threshold can be indexed.

Specialist Skills Stream

The Specialist Skills stream is designed for highly paid workers in qualifying occupational groups. Applicants do not rely on the Core Skills Occupation List in the same way as Core Skills candidates, but the role must meet the stream’s occupational and salary rules.

From 1 July 2025, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold increased to approximately AUD 141,210. The offered salary may still need to satisfy the annual market salary rate.

Some lower-skilled occupational groups and specified occupations are excluded from this stream, regardless of salary.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream allows approved employers to recruit workers under an agreement made with the Australian Government. These arrangements can apply to particular industries, regions or workforce needs.

Requirements vary according to the agreement. Applicants should not assume that conditions offered under one labour agreement will apply to another employer.

Understanding the Core Skills Occupation List

The Core Skills Occupation List identifies occupations that may be nominated under the Core Skills stream. It includes roles across professional, technical and trade industries.

An occupation’s inclusion means it may be eligible for nomination. It does not mean that:

• Every employer can provide sponsorship.
• Every person with that job title will qualify.
• The government guarantees a visa.
• The occupation is permanently in demand.
• The applicant can bypass qualification requirements.
• The minimum salary will automatically be sufficient.

The employer must select the occupation that matches the position’s actual duties. Choosing an occupation only because it appears on the list can lead to refusal if the daily responsibilities do not correspond with the nominated classification.

Healthcare Jobs Eligible for 482 Visa Sponsorship

Australia’s healthcare sector employs professionals in hospitals, clinics, community services, disability support and aged-care facilities. Many clinical professions require separate Australian registration before a person can practise.

Registered Nurse

Estimated salary: AUD 75,000–AUD 115,000 per year

Registered nurses work in medical wards, emergency departments, aged care, mental health, operating theatres and community health services.

International nurses normally need registration with the appropriate Australian health regulator. A foreign nursing licence alone does not provide the right to practise.

Employer sponsorship may be available through hospitals, regional health services and aged-care providers. Specialist and regional vacancies can offer stronger opportunities than highly competitive positions in major cities.

Nurse Manager

Estimated salary: AUD 105,000–AUD 150,000 per year

Nurse managers supervise clinical teams, staffing, patient safety and departmental operations. Employers normally require substantial nursing experience and demonstrated leadership ability.

Applicants usually need nursing registration in addition to meeting the 482 visa requirements.

General Practitioner and Specialist Doctor

Estimated salary: AUD 150,000–AUD 350,000 or more per year

Doctors remain among Australia’s highest-paid professionals. Opportunities may be available in general practice, emergency medicine, psychiatry, anaesthesia, radiology and other specialities.

Medical registration, qualification assessment and location restrictions may apply. The visa process does not replace professional registration.

Physiotherapist

Estimated salary: AUD 75,000–AUD 110,000 per year

Physiotherapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private clinics and aged-care services. Overseas-trained professionals normally need assessment and registration before practising independently.

Medical Laboratory Scientist

Estimated salary: AUD 75,000–AUD 105,000 per year

Medical laboratory scientists analyse samples used to diagnose and monitor disease. Employers may require a recognised degree and a positive professional skills assessment.

Information Technology Jobs on the Skilled Occupation List

Australia’s technology sector recruits specialists in software development, cybersecurity, cloud computing and business systems.

Software Engineer

Estimated salary: AUD 95,000–AUD 155,000 per year

Software engineers design, build and maintain applications and digital platforms. Employers commonly seek experience in Java, Python, C#, JavaScript, cloud services and modern software architecture.

A degree in computer science or a related field is useful. In some cases, extensive professional experience can support an assessment where formal education is not closely related.

Developer Programmer

Estimated salary: AUD 85,000–AUD 135,000 per year

Developer programmers write and test code, fix technical problems and improve existing applications. Candidates should show evidence of commercial work rather than relying only on personal projects.

ICT Business Analyst

Estimated salary: AUD 100,000–AUD 150,000 per year

ICT business analysts study operational needs and help organisations design suitable technology solutions. The role combines technical understanding with communication and commercial judgement.

Applicants can strengthen their profiles by documenting systems implemented, costs reduced and processes improved.

Cybersecurity Engineer

Estimated salary: AUD 110,000–AUD 180,000 per year

Cybersecurity engineers protect systems against attacks and unauthorised access. They may work in cloud security, identity management, incident response or application security.

Some government and defence positions require citizenship or security clearance, so not every vacancy is open to foreign applicants.

DevOps Engineer

Estimated salary: AUD 110,000–AUD 170,000 per year

DevOps engineers automate software delivery and manage infrastructure. Experience with cloud platforms, containers, Kubernetes and continuous-delivery systems can improve sponsorship prospects.

Engineering Jobs With Australian Employer Sponsorship

Engineering occupations remain important to construction, mining, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure projects.

Civil Engineer

Estimated salary: AUD 90,000–AUD 150,000 per year

Civil engineers design and supervise roads, bridges, drainage systems and major structures. Regional infrastructure projects may offer opportunities to overseas professionals.

Applicants may need a formal engineering skills assessment. Employers usually want evidence of project experience and knowledge of relevant design standards.

Mechanical Engineer

Estimated salary: AUD 90,000–AUD 150,000 per year

Mechanical engineers work with machinery, production systems, heating, energy and industrial equipment. Opportunities can exist in mining, manufacturing and engineering consulting.

Electrical Engineer

Estimated salary: AUD 95,000–AUD 160,000 per year

Electrical engineers design and maintain power, communication and control systems. They may work in renewable energy, construction, utilities, mining and manufacturing.

Professional recognition or state-level registration may apply to particular duties.

Mining Engineer

Estimated salary: AUD 120,000–AUD 200,000 per year

Mining engineers plan and supervise mineral extraction. Australian mining employers may recruit experienced foreign workers for remote and regional operations.

Higher salaries may reflect long shifts, remote locations and demanding work schedules.

Engineering Manager

Estimated salary: AUD 140,000–AUD 220,000 per year

Engineering managers lead technical teams, control budgets and oversee major projects. These positions generally require extensive professional and leadership experience.

A high salary may make a role suitable for the Specialist Skills stream, but the occupation and employment arrangement must still meet that stream’s rules.

Construction and Skilled Trade Jobs Under the 482 Visa

Australia’s construction and infrastructure industries employ qualified tradespeople. Licensing requirements often vary by state or territory.

Electrician

Estimated salary: AUD 85,000–AUD 135,000 per year

Electricians install and maintain wiring, distribution systems and industrial equipment. A foreign electrical qualification does not automatically allow a person to perform licensed electrical work in Australia.

Applicants may need a skills assessment, gap training, supervised employment and a state or territory licence.

Plumber

Estimated salary: AUD 80,000–AUD 130,000 per year

Plumbers work on water, drainage, gas and mechanical-service systems. Overseas applicants normally require a trade skills assessment and may need additional licensing.

Welder or Metal Fabricator

Estimated salary: AUD 75,000–AUD 115,000 per year

Welders and metal fabricators work in construction, mining, shipbuilding and manufacturing. Employers may require practical tests and evidence of experience with particular welding processes.

Carpenter

Estimated salary: AUD 75,000–AUD 115,000 per year

Carpenters build and repair residential and commercial structures. A positive trade assessment and documented employment history may be necessary.

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic

Estimated salary: AUD 80,000–AUD 125,000 per year

These technicians install and maintain cooling, heating and ventilation systems. Licensing and environmental-handling requirements can apply.

Motor Mechanic

Estimated salary: AUD 70,000–AUD 105,000 per year

Motor mechanics diagnose and repair vehicles. Applicants should provide trade certificates and detailed evidence of practical experience.

Education and Professional Services Jobs

Secondary School Teacher

Estimated salary: AUD 80,000–AUD 125,000 per year

Secondary schools may recruit teachers in mathematics, science, technology and other areas experiencing staffing pressure.

International teachers normally need professional registration in the state or territory where they will work.

Early Childhood Teacher

Estimated salary: AUD 75,000–AUD 110,000 per year

Early childhood teachers plan educational programmes for young children. Qualification recognition and teacher registration requirements can apply.

A childcare worker is not automatically classified as an early childhood teacher. Applicants should confirm the occupation attached to the vacancy.

Accountant

Estimated salary: AUD 80,000–AUD 130,000 per year

Accountants prepare financial reports, manage tax obligations and support commercial decisions. Employers may sponsor candidates with recognised qualifications and specialist experience.

General accounting positions can be competitive. Audit, management accounting, systems implementation and international tax experience may offer stronger advantages.

External Auditor

Estimated salary: AUD 85,000–AUD 140,000 per year

External auditors examine financial statements and controls. Large professional-services firms may consider international candidates with recognised accounting qualifications and relevant audit experience.

Hospitality Jobs That May Qualify for Sponsorship

Chef

Estimated salary: AUD 76,500–AUD 105,000 per year

Qualified chefs may receive sponsorship from hotels, restaurants and regional hospitality businesses. The role must satisfy the applicable occupation, experience and salary rules.

A cook and a chef can have different classifications. Applicants should confirm which occupation is being nominated.

Hotel or Motel Manager

Estimated salary: AUD 80,000–AUD 130,000 per year

Hotel managers oversee accommodation services, employees, budgets and guest operations. Relevant management experience is normally required.

Not every hospitality position qualifies for the 482 visa. General restaurant or hotel work without skilled duties may be ineligible.

Eligibility Requirements for the 482 Skills in Demand Visa

Requirements differ according to the stream and occupation, but applicants will normally need to satisfy several conditions.

Relevant Employment Experience

Applicants generally need at least one year of relevant work experience within the required recent period. The experience should match the nominated occupation.

Providing a job title without detailed duties may be insufficient. Employment letters should state the period of work, responsibilities, hours and employer details.

Skills Assessment When Required

Certain occupations and nationalities require a formal skills assessment. A skills assessment confirms whether the applicant’s education and experience meet the standard for the nominated occupation.

The assessment process is separate from the visa application and can involve document reviews, interviews or practical tests.

English-Language Ability

Applicants normally need to demonstrate the required English level unless an exemption applies. Accepted tests and scores can differ according to current rules and the visa stream.

Candidates should complete an approved test rather than assuming that university education in English automatically creates an exemption.

Health and Character Requirements

Visa applicants may need medical examinations and police-clearance certificates. Family members included in the application can also be subject to health and character checks.

Suitable Salary

The salary must meet the relevant income threshold and annual market salary rate. Employers cannot reduce the genuine wage to recover sponsorship or recruitment expenses improperly.

Employer Requirements for Sponsoring a 482 Worker

The employer normally needs to:

• Be an approved business sponsor or qualify to become one.
• Nominate a genuine position.
• Select the correct occupation.
• Meet labour-market testing requirements where applicable.
• Pay the applicable nomination and training-related charges.
• Offer lawful market-based employment conditions.
• Maintain required employment records.
• Comply with Australian workplace and sponsorship laws.

An approved sponsor is not required to sponsor every foreign applicant. The business decides which eligible vacancies justify sponsorship.

Step-by-Step 482 Visa Sponsorship Process

Step 1: Confirm That the Occupation Is Eligible

Check whether the occupation fits the Core Skills Occupation List, Specialist Skills stream or an applicable labour agreement.

The actual duties should match the occupation description.

Step 2: Secure a Genuine Employment Offer

The applicant needs an employer prepared to complete the sponsorship and nomination process. A verbal promise is not enough.

The contract should state the salary, location, hours, duties and employment period.

Step 3: Complete Skills Assessment or Registration

Regulated workers should complete licensing, registration or skills-assessment requirements. Examples include nurses, doctors, teachers, electricians and other tradespeople.

Step 4: Employer Submits the Nomination

The employer nominates the occupation and provides evidence that the position is genuine. Labour-market testing may involve advertising the position before nominating a foreign worker.

Step 5: Submit the Visa Application

The worker provides identity, employment, education, English, health and character documents. Incomplete or inconsistent evidence can delay the application or cause refusal.

Step 6: Review All Visa Conditions

After approval, the worker should understand employment restrictions, visa duration and obligations when changing employers.

A sponsored worker should obtain advice before leaving the sponsoring employer because the change can affect immigration status.

Permanent Residence Options After a 482 Visa

The 482 visa is temporary, but it can potentially provide a pathway to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186.

The Temporary Residence Transition stream may be available when the applicant has worked in the required sponsored employment for the necessary period and meets age, English, occupation and nomination conditions.

Some applicants may qualify for direct entry or another skilled-migration pathway. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances.

A company cannot legally guarantee permanent residence. The worker must remain eligible, the employer must be willing and qualified to nominate the person, and the government must approve the application.

Applicants should treat promises of “automatic PR” as a warning sign.

How to Find Australian Employers Offering 482 Sponsorship

Use targeted searches such as:

• Subclass 482 visa sponsorship jobs Australia.
• Core Skills Occupation List jobs with sponsorship.
• Registered nurse 482 sponsorship Australia.
• Software engineer employer sponsorship Australia.
• Electrician jobs with 482 visa sponsorship.
• Civil engineer visa sponsorship Australia.
• Regional Australia employer-sponsored jobs.
• Chef jobs in Australia with visa support.

Read each advertisement carefully. Phrases such as “visa sponsorship considered” are more useful than a general statement that international applicants are welcome.

Avoiding Employer-Sponsorship Scams

Warning signs include:

• Being asked to pay for the job offer.
• Guaranteed visa or permanent residence.
• An offer without a proper interview.
• A salary below the required amount.
• Payment requested through a personal account.
• A contract with no verifiable workplace.
• Requests for banking passwords.
• Instructions to return part of the salary.
• False duties created only to match an eligible occupation.
• Pressure to submit altered employment documents.

A worker may pay personal visa or professional-service costs, but an employer must not unlawfully transfer prohibited sponsorship expenses to the worker.

Questions

Is the 482 visa still available in 2025?

Yes. Subclass 482 remains available, but it is now called the Skills in Demand visa. It replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage framework in December 2024.

What is the main occupation list for the 482 visa?

The Core Skills Occupation List is used for the Core Skills stream. The Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams have different eligibility rules.

Does being on the occupation list guarantee sponsorship?

No. The applicant still needs an approved employer, a genuine nomination, suitable qualifications, relevant experience and a compliant salary.

Can a 482 visa lead to permanent residence?

It can provide a possible pathway, including through the subclass 186 visa. Permanent residence is not automatic.

Can an applicant include family members?

Eligible partners and dependent children may usually be included in or added to the visa application, subject to the relevant requirements.

Can a 482 worker change employers?

A worker may be able to change employers, but a new nomination and other immigration steps may be required. The person should not assume that the existing visa allows unrestricted employment.

Is a skills assessment always required?

No. It depends on the occupation, passport held, visa stream and individual circumstances. Professional registration may also be required separately.

How much work experience is required?

The Skills in Demand visa generally requires at least one year of relevant work experience within the applicable recent period. The experience must be suitable for the nominated occupation.

Conclusion

Australia’s skilled occupation list jobs in 2025 provide valuable opportunities for qualified foreign professionals seeking employer-sponsored work. Healthcare, engineering, information technology, construction, education and skilled trades contain many occupations that may qualify under the subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa.