Employer Sponsored Visas News
Employer sponsored visa rules in Australia have changed a lot since the Skills in Demand (SID) 482 visa replaced the TSS visa in December 2024. On this page we post the latest updates on the 482, 186 and 494 visas, DAMAs, labour agreements, the National Innovation Visa, the SAF levy and salary thresholds, so employers and visa holders can plan ahead.
Each article explains what changed, who it affects and what to do next. If you are not sure how a change applies to your situation, our team can assess your options.
Current key settings at a glance
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): $79,423 from 1 July 2026. See the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold: $146,576 from 1 July 2026. See the Skills in Demand visa.
- 186 Temporary Residence Transition: 2 of the last 3 years on a 482 or 457 visa, with any approved sponsor (from November 2025). See the 186 visa.
- Changing employers on a 482: SID visa holders can change sponsors and have up to 180 days at a time to find a new sponsor.
- 494 occupation lists: unchanged. See the 494 visa.
- SAF levy: payable for each year of the 482 nomination period and once for 186 and 494 nominations. See the SAF levy.
Employer sponsored visa guides
- Skills in Demand 482 visa
- 482 Core Skills stream
- 482 Specialist Skills stream
- 482 visa fees
- 482 visa path to PR
- Employer Nomination Scheme (186 visa)
- Regional employer sponsored (494 visa)
- Becoming a standard business sponsor
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
- Labour agreements
- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
- Employer sponsorship assessment
