Australia · Work
Australia Skills in Demand · Specialist
Income needed: AUD 147k+ a year ≈ $102k
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) - Specialist Skills stream
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Skills in Demand · Specialist is a work route for Australia. Applicants need income of AUD 147k+ a year ≈ $102k. You can stay 4 yrs, renewable. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- AUD 147k+ a year ≈ $102k
- Government fees
- AUD 4,015 ≈ $2,790 · +3 more
- First stay
- 4 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fees AUD 7,305 ≈ $5,090 in total (2 fees); income to show AUD 147k+/yr ≈ $102k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government feesAUD 4,015 ≈ $2,790 · +3 more
- AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790)Base application charge, main applicant.
- AUD 3,290 (≈ $2,290)Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026).
- AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790)Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over.
- AUD 1,005 (≈ $700)Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18.
Shown, not spentAUD 147k+/yr ≈ $102k
- AUD 146,576 a year (≈ $102,000)Specialist Skills Income Threshold for nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 141,210 (≈ $98,300)); nominee earnings excluding non-monetary benefits, and the Annual Market Salary Rate, must both meet it.
Permanent residenceAfter 2 years of residence
Holders can move to the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream if, in the 3 years before applying, they held a 482 or 457 visa for at least 2 years and worked full time for an approved sponsor in that occupation for at least 2 years.
CitizenshipAfter 4 years of residence
Citizenship by conferral needs 4 years lawfully in Australia, including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, with no more than 12 months' total absence in the 4 years and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
You can be inside or outside Australia when the visa is granted, as long as you are not in immigration clearance.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Australia
What you'll need
Who can apply5
- The nominated occupation is in ANZSCO Major Group 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6.
- The applicant has at least 1 year of work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
- An approved work sponsor (or a standard business sponsor applicant) nominates the position.
- The applicant meets the minimum English standard unless an exemption applies.
- Some occupations need a mandatory skills assessment under the ministerial instrument.
What you must show3
- Annual earnings are at least AUD 146,576 (≈ $102,000) for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026.
- The threshold excludes non-monetary benefits and was AUD 141,210 (≈ $98,300) before 1 July 2026.
- The base application charge is AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790) for the main applicant.
Documents1
- Adequate health insurance is held for the whole stay.
Steps1
- The employer lodges the nomination, then the applicant lodges the visa application.
After you arrive1
- The holder works in the nominated occupation for the sponsor or an associated entity.
When you become tax resident
How Australia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 4 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
Residence is determined by the resides, domicile, 183-day and Commonwealth superannuation tests.
- Foreign-source income
Temporary residents
Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.
- Special regime
Temporary resident exemption · Tax relief
All tax rules for Australia Tax records checked
Full official text
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa for high earners; the occupation test is replaced by an income test in listed ANZSCO major groups. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least AUD 146,576 a year (≈ $102,000) · Specialist Skills Income Threshold for nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 141,210 (≈ $98,300)); nominee earnings excluding non-monetary benefits, and the Annual Market Salary Rate, must both meet it. 2 3
- A fee of AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790) · Base application charge, main applicant. 3
- A fee of AUD 3,290 (≈ $2,290) · Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). 3 1
- A fee of AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790) · Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over. 3
- A fee of AUD 1,005 (≈ $700) · Additional applicant charge for each family member under 18. 3
Requirements
- The nominated occupation is in ANZSCO Major Group 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6. 1
- The applicant has at least 1 year of work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field. 1
- An approved work sponsor (or a standard business sponsor applicant) nominates the position. 1
- The applicant meets the minimum English standard unless an exemption applies. 1
- Some occupations need a mandatory skills assessment under the ministerial instrument. 1
- Annual earnings are at least AUD 146,576 (≈ $102,000) for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026. 2
- The threshold excludes non-monetary benefits and was AUD 141,210 (≈ $98,300) before 1 July 2026. 2
- The base application charge is AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790) for the main applicant. 3
- Adequate health insurance is held for the whole stay. 1
- The employer lodges the nomination, then the applicant lodges the visa application. 1
- The holder works in the nominated occupation for the sponsor or an associated entity. 1
Stay
- Stay is the period the employer nominates, up to 4 years; Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
- First stay: up to 48 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Open to all nationalities.
Work
Work for the sponsor in the nominated occupation; study is allowed without government assistance.
Family
Partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants; each pays the additional applicant charge.
Official sources
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Specialist Skills stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026 · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11
Skills in Demand · Specialist and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand · Specialist | Needs income of AUD 147k+ a year ≈ $102k | 4 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Employer Nomination 186 | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | – | – |
| Employer Regional 494 | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | 5 yr | Limited |
| Skills in Demand · Core | Needs income of AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k | 4 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Skills in Demand · Labour deal | – | 4 yr, renewable | Yes |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Skills in Demand · Specialist?
Income of at least AUD 146,576 a year (≈ $102,000). Specialist Skills Income Threshold for nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 (up from AUD 141,210 (≈ $98,300)); nominee earnings excluding non-monetary benefits, and the Annual Market Salary Rate, must both meet it. A fee of AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790). Base application charge, main applicant. A fee of AUD 3,290 (≈ $2,290). Base application charge for a primary applicant holding a Pacific-regional passport (concession from 1 July 2026). A fee of AUD 4,015 (≈ $2,790). Additional applicant charge for each family member aged 18 or over.
How long can I stay on the Skills in Demand · Specialist?
Stay is the period the employer nominates, up to 4 years; Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
Can I work on the Skills in Demand · Specialist?
Yes. Work for the sponsor in the nominated occupation; study is allowed without government assistance.
Can I bring my family on the Skills in Demand · Specialist?
Partner and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants; each pays the additional applicant charge.
Does the Skills in Demand · Specialist lead to permanent residence in Australia?
Time on the Skills in Demand · Specialist counts toward permanent residence in Australia, which the rules allow after 2 years of residence. Time on the Skills in Demand · Specialist counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 4 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Skills in Demand · Specialist holders in Australia?
Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income: Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income
Tax relief
Details
- On: Most foreign-source income (exempt)
- Who: Hold a temporary visa
Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.
Taxed on
Most foreign-source income (exempt); Australian-source income and capital gains on taxable Australian property remain taxable.
Who it applies to
- Hold a temporary visa.
- Neither the individual nor their spouse (if any) is an Australian resident under the Social Security Act 1991 (not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or protected Special Category visa holder).
Exclusions
- Income from employment or services performed overseas while a temporary resident can still be taxed in Australia, depending on facts and any tax treaty.
- Not available to someone who has at any time after 6 April 2006 been an Australian resident without a temporary visa and with an Australian-resident spouse.
Tax residence
A temporary resident can be an Australian resident or a foreign resident for tax purposes; the four statutory residency tests (resides, domicile, 183-day, Commonwealth superannuation) decide residence separately.
Visas
Requires a temporary visa; no particular subclass carries the exemption itself.
Other taxes
Foreign tax paid on income declared may qualify for a foreign-source income tax offset; foreign-source income and deductions are converted to AUD.
Checked against official sources on Change log
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Specialist Skills stream · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
- Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2026 · Department of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
- Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.