Skills in Demand (SID) Visa – The Three Streams
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa offers three different streams designed to help Australian employers sponsor skilled overseas workers:
- Core Skills Stream
- Specialist Skills Stream
- Labour Agreement Stream
Applicants may apply either offshore or onshore if they hold an eligible substantive visa or a Bridging Visa A, B, or C.
Core Skills Stream
The Core Skills Stream is the most common pathway under the SID visa program.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Core Skills Stream, you must meet the following requirements:
Standard Business Sponsorship
Your sponsoring Australian employer must either:
- already be an approved Standard Business Sponsor, or
- apply to become one.
Employer Nomination
You must be formally Nominated by your sponsoring employer.
Occupation Requirements
Your nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Work Restrictions
You may only work for your sponsoring employer in your approved nominated occupation.
Work Experience
You must have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field.
Skills Assessment
A positive skills assessment may be required before lodging your visa application. Assessments are conducted by approved authorities such as:
- VETASSESS
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
Age Requirement
There is no age limit for the SID subclass 482 visa.
Health and Character Requirements
Applicants must:
- hold adequate health insurance
- meet Australian health and character requirements
- not have had a previous visa cancelled or refused
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are not native English speakers from countries such as the UK, USA, or New Zealand may need to complete an English language test.
For IELTS, applicants generally require:
- an overall band score of at least 5.0
- a minimum score of 4.5 in each test component
Visa Duration
Successful applicants can generally stay and work in Australia for up to 4 years.
Hong Kong passport holders may be eligible for stays of up to 5 years.
Specialist Skills Stream
The Specialist Skills Stream is designed for higher-skilled occupations and higher-income roles.
The eligibility requirements are generally the same as the Core Skills Stream, with the following additional requirement:
- You must be nominated in an occupation classified within ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6.
- Your salary must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement Stream is intended for skilled workers sponsored by employers who have a formal Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.
The general eligibility requirements are similar to the Core Skills Stream, except that sponsorship occurs through an approved Labour Agreement.
Labour Agreements are negotiated between the Australian Department of Home Affairs and employers to address specific labour shortages.
Types of Labour Agreements
There are five main types of Labour Agreements:
- Company-specific labour agreements
- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
- Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
- Industry labour agreements
- Project agreements
Current Industry Labour Agreements
As of September 2025, industry labour agreements are available in the following sectors:
- Advertising
- Aged Care
- Dairy
- Fishing
- Horticulture
- Meat Processing
- Minister of Religion
- On-hire
- Pork Industry
- Restaurant (Premium Dining)
Need Help With a Skills in Demand Visa?
If you are considering applying for a Skills in Demand visa or sponsoring overseas workers, Contact VisaConnect’s Migration Agents and Australian Immigration Lawyers for professional migration advice to help ensure the process is handled correctly and efficiently!
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