Last reviewed: 30 September 2026. Rules and fees change often — always confirm on the official government website before you apply.
Australia remains one of the most popular destinations for skilled workers from Pakistan and South Asia. The main employer-sponsored route is now the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). It sits alongside the points-tested skilled migration visas that do not need a sponsor.
This guide explains how the Skills in Demand visa works, what the income thresholds are, and how the points-tested visas compare. It also covers English tests, skills assessments and the common mistakes that cost applicants time and money.
What Is the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)?
The Skills in Demand visa is a temporary work visa. It lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled overseas worker when it cannot find a suitable local candidate.
It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. The subclass number stayed the same, which is why you will still see “482” on older websites and in job adverts.
The important point is that this is an employer-sponsored visa. You cannot apply for it on your own. You first need a genuine job offer from an Australian business that is approved to sponsor workers.
Why the Change Matters for Pakistani Applicants
The old TSS system relied heavily on occupation lists. The new visa organises applicants into streams based mainly on the occupation and the salary on offer. This makes salary one of the most important factors in your eligibility.
If you read older guides online, check the date. Advice written before December 2024 may describe rules that no longer apply.
The Three Streams of the Skills in Demand Visa
The Skills in Demand visa has three streams. Each one suits a different type of worker and employer.
1. Specialist Skills Stream
This stream is designed for highly paid specialists. It is linked to a high income threshold rather than a narrow occupation list. It generally suits senior professionals, experienced engineers, technology specialists and similar roles.
2. Core Skills Stream
This is the stream most skilled workers will use. Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The salary must also meet the Core Skills income threshold and the market rate for the role.
3. Labour Agreement Stream
This stream applies when an employer has a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government. These agreements allow sponsorship in situations that the standard streams do not cover. Terms vary from agreement to agreement.
Skills in Demand Visa Income Thresholds for 2026
Salary thresholds decide which stream you can use. They are indexed each July, so they usually rise every year.
From 1 July 2026, the thresholds are reported to be approximately:
| Threshold | Approximate amount from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | About AUD 79,423 per year |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | About AUD 146,576 per year |
These figures come from secondary reporting of the July 2026 indexation. Always confirm the exact current amounts on the Department of Home Affairs website before relying on them.
What the Thresholds Mean in Practice
- If your salary is below the CSIT, you generally cannot be sponsored under the Core Skills stream.
- If your salary is above the SSIT, the Specialist Skills stream may be open to you, subject to its other rules.
- Employers must also pay at least the market rate that an Australian worker would receive in the same role.
A job offer with an unusually low salary is a warning sign. It may not meet the rules, or it may not be genuine at all.
Step-by-Step Process for the Skills in Demand Visa
The exact steps depend on the stream and your circumstances. However, most applications follow this general pattern.
- Get a genuine job offer from an Australian employer that can sponsor overseas workers.
- The employer is approved as a sponsor, if it is not already.
- The employer lodges a nomination for your specific position, including salary and role details.
- You lodge your visa application online through the Department of Home Affairs systems.
- You provide supporting documents, such as identity documents, qualifications, work references and English results where required.
- You complete health and character checks as requested by the Department.
- You receive a decision and, if granted, travel to start work with your sponsor.
Keep copies of every document you submit. Make sure names, dates and job titles match across your passport, degrees and experience letters.
Points-Tested Skilled Migration: 189, 190 and 491
Not everyone needs an employer sponsor. Australia also runs points-tested skilled visas. These can lead to permanent residence or a pathway towards it.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
This visa does not need an employer or a state sponsor. You compete purely on your points score. Because it has no sponsor, competition for invitations is usually strong.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This visa requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. A nomination adds 5 points to your score. Each state sets its own nomination criteria and occupation priorities.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
This visa is for people willing to live and work in designated regional areas. State nomination or eligible family sponsorship adds 15 points. It is a provisional visa with its own conditions.
How the Points System Works
You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Your EOI records your age, English level, qualifications, work experience and other factors. The system then gives you a points score.
The pass mark is generally 65 points. Check the official site for the current figure. Reaching the pass mark does not guarantee an invitation, because invitations often go to higher-scoring candidates.
English Language Requirements
English rules for Australian visas changed on 7 August 2025. If you took a test or read a guide before then, check that your plans still match the current rules.
Accepted English Tests
- IELTS
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge C1 Advanced
- CELPIP General
- OET
- MET
- LanguageCert Academic
“Competent English” is commonly measured as IELTS 6.0 in each band. Higher scores can earn extra points in the points-tested visas.
Important Warning About Online Tests
At-home or online-proctored tests are not accepted for Australian visa purposes. Book a test at an official test centre. Do not waste money on a home-based version, even if it is cheaper or faster.
Skills Assessments: A Key Early Step
Many applicants need a positive skills assessment for their occupation. This is essential for the points-tested visas and is also required for some employer-sponsored cases.
The assessing authority depends on your occupation. Common examples include:
- Engineers Australia — for engineering occupations.
- Australian Computer Society (ACS) — for many IT and computing occupations.
- VETASSESS — for a wide range of general professional and trade occupations.
Skills assessments can take time and need detailed evidence. Start early and prepare full employment references with duties, dates, hours and salary.
Documents Pakistani Applicants Should Prepare
- Valid passport and CNIC.
- Degree certificates and transcripts, with attestation where your assessing body asks for it.
- Detailed experience letters on company letterhead.
- Payslips, tax records or bank statements that support your work history.
- English test results from an accepted, centre-based test.
Skills in Demand Visa vs Points-Tested Visa: Which Is Right for You?
Both routes have strengths. The right choice depends on your profile and whether you already have an employer.
| Factor | Skills in Demand (482) | Points-tested (189/190/491) |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer needed? | Yes, from an approved sponsor | No |
| Main deciding factor | Occupation and salary | Points score |
| Starting point | Employer nomination | EOI in SkillSelect |
| Regional living required? | Not usually | Yes for 491 |
Some people pursue both routes at the same time. For example, you can keep an EOI active while searching for a sponsoring employer.
Using a Migration Agent Safely
You can apply without an agent. If you choose to use one, make sure the person is a registered migration agent in Australia. A public register of registered migration agents is available for checking.
Be careful with recruiters in Pakistan who promise Australian jobs. Watch for these red flags:
- A “guaranteed” visa or job with no interview.
- Requests to pay large fees in cash or to personal accounts.
- Salaries far higher than normal for the role.
- No verifiable employer name, address or website.
Read our guide on fake overseas job offers and our job scam warning page before you pay anyone.
Registering With the Bureau of Emigration
If you are leaving Pakistan for employment, follow Pakistani emigration rules as well as Australian ones. Our guide on how to go abroad for a job legally from Pakistan explains the Protector process and fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Skills in Demand visa the same as the TSS visa?
No. The Skills in Demand visa replaced TSS on 7 December 2024. It keeps subclass number 482 but uses new streams and income thresholds.
Can I apply for the Skills in Demand visa without a job offer?
No. It is an employer-sponsored visa. You need a genuine job offer and a nomination from an approved Australian sponsor.
What is the minimum salary for the Core Skills stream?
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is reported to be about AUD 79,423. Confirm the current figure on the official website.
What is the pass mark for the points-tested visas?
The pass mark is generally 65 points. Higher scores usually improve your chance of receiving an invitation.
Can I take the IELTS or PTE test online from home?
No. At-home and online-proctored tests are not accepted. You must take an accepted test at an official centre.
Do I need a skills assessment?
For points-tested visas, yes. Some employer-sponsored cases also need one. Your occupation determines which body assesses you.
Conclusion
The Skills in Demand visa is now Australia’s main route for employer-sponsored skilled workers. Your occupation and salary decide which stream fits you, and thresholds rise each July.
If you have no sponsor yet, the points-tested visas offer another path. Prepare early with an accepted English test and a strong skills assessment. Use only official websites and registered agents, and never pay anyone who promises a guaranteed visa.
Official source(s): Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
Leave a Reply