Australian visa pathways

Skills in Demand (SID) Visa

The Skills in Demand (SID) Visa has replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa as part of the government’s effort to address critical skill shortages.

Visa duration: up to four years, with a pathway to Permanent Residency after two years of sponsorship.

Visa streams include:



Core Skills Stream


• For occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, commonly used across industries like tradespeople, health, construction, manufacturing and agriculture.
• TSMIT: must meet the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold ($76,515 per year from 1 July 2025).
• Labour Market Testing (LMT) required.
• Skills and qualifications must match nominated occupation.
• Must be a genuine, full-time role.

Specialist Skills Stream


• Designed for high-income earners in critical industries.
• Salary must be minimum $141,210 per year after 1 July 2025.
• Fast-tracked processing.
• Most roles under ANZSCO is open to apply as long as meeting the salary requirements, excluding occupations listed in Major Groups 3, 7 or 8.
• Ideal for senior roles or niche technical positions.

Labour Agreement Stream (e.g. HILA, DAMA)

• Own specified occupation list, which allows employers to sponsor the occupations which are not on the Core Skills Occupation List (e.g. forklift driver, machine operator, meat worker etc.)
• TSMIT concessions may apply (90% of TSMIT).
• English and skill concessions available.
• Commonly used in horticulture, meat processing, aged care and regional sectors.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa – subclass 494

Visa duration: five years, with a pathway to Permanent Residency after three years of regional employment.

• Must be in designated regional areas.
• Must be on the Regional Occupation List (ROL).
• Skill assessment generally required.
• Salary must meet TSMIT and market salary standards.
• English proficiency must be at least ‘Competent’.
• Pathway to Subclass 191 Permanent Residency after three years working in the role and regional area.

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa – Subclass 400

Visa duration: up to three months, or six months in special cases.

• For short-term, highly specialised or urgent work.
• No pathway to  Permanent Recruitment.
• No skill assessment or formal sponsorship required.
• Applicant must demonstrate expertise in a specific area.
• Fast processing time – ideal for short projects or seasonal activities.

Subsequent Entrant Visa (for Families)

Visa duration: matches the main applicant’s visa.

• Allows eligible spouse and children to join the primary visa-holder.
• Can be applied after primary visa grant.
• Applicants must meet health and character requirements.