In response to Australia’s evolving labour market needs and ongoing skilled labour shortages, the federal government introduced a significant reform to the subclass 482 temporary work visa program, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage visa with the new Skills in Demand visa in late 2024.
For Australian employers who rely on skilled migrant workers to support their workforce, it’s essential to understand the key differences in the new Skills in Demand visa between the new Specialist Skills Stream and Core Skills Stream under the revamped framework. This knowledge will ensure compliance, strategic workforce planning, and efficient visa sponsorship.
Overview of the Skills in Demand Visa Structure
The Skills in Demand visa will consist of three streams:
- Specialist Skills Stream – targeting highly specialised roles with strong salary and skill indicators.
- Core Skills Stream – for a broader range of occupations on an approved Core Skills Occupation List.
- Essential Skills Stream – for essential workers in lower-paid roles in critical industries.
This article focuses on the Specialist and Core streams, which are most relevant to medium and large corporate sponsors.
- Specialist Skills Stream
Who it’s for:
This stream is designed for highly skilled professionals in areas of significant technical expertise or acute shortage. It primarily targets roles that are critical to Australia’s economic growth.
Key Features:
- No occupation list requirement: Unlike other streams, eligibility is determined by the applicant’s salary level rather than a fixed occupation list.
- Salary Threshold: Applicants must earn above a high-income threshold, currently $135,000 p.a. and will increase to $141,210 on 1 July 2025.
- Streamlined processing: This stream is intended to offer fast-track visa processing, with prioritisation for employers needing urgent talent acquisition.
Advantages for Employers:
- Greater flexibility in hiring senior talent, particularly in emerging fields where traditional occupation lists may lag behind market demand.
- Rapid access to global experts without being restricted by a fixed list of eligible occupations.
- Core Skills Stream
Who it’s for:
This stream applies to the majority of skilled workers and represents the successor to the traditional Medium-Term and Short-Term streams under the current subclass 482 visa.
Key Features:
- Occupation list required: Applicants must work in a role listed on the Core Skills Occupation List, which will be based on regular labour market analysis.
- Salary benchmark: A revised TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold) is required which is currently $73,150 p.a. and will increase to $76,515 on 1 July 2025, and must also meet market rate requirements.
- Labour Market Testing (LMT): Sponsoring employers must demonstrate they cannot fill the position locally, subject to any future exemptions.
- Processing times: Standard processing applies, with additional scrutiny around compliance and genuine need.
Advantages for Employers:
- Access to a wide pool of skilled migrants across common industries such as construction, health, education, and trades.
- Suitable for businesses seeking to fill roles that are not at the high-income/specialist level but are critical to operations.
Need Assistance?
At Hartman Immigration, we assist Australian employers across all sectors with skilled visa strategy, compliance, and sponsorship. Whether your business requires high-caliber global talent or seeks to fill operational gaps, we can help you navigate these changes with confidence.
Disclaimer:
The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.
