Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers to fill job vacancies where they cannot find suitable Australian workers. This visa helps businesses address short-term skill shortages and allows workers to live and work in Australia temporarily, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency later through certain streams.
Key Features of the SID Visa
- Work in Australia: The SID visa allows you to work for an approved Australian employer in your nominated occupation.
- Stay Duration: Depending on the visa stream, you can stay in Australia for 2 to 4 years, with the possibility of extension.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Certain streams provide a pathway to permanent residency through employer nomination.
Bring Your Family: You can include eligible family members in your visa application, and they can live, work, and study in Australia.
Streams of the SID Visa
The SID visa is divided into three main streams, each designed to address different types of labor needs and skill shortages across Australia.
Core Skill Stream
This stream allows employers to address temporary skill shortages in occupations listed on the Core Skill Occupation List.
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Stay Duration: Visa holders can stay for up to 4 years, or up to 5 years if they hold a Hong Kong passport.
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Minimum Salary Threshold: Applicants must meet the current threshold of AUD 73,150 to be eligible.
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Work Restriction: Employment is limited to the sponsoring employer only.
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Pathway to Permanent Residency: After gaining relevant experience, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187).
Specialist Skills Stream
This stream supports employers in filling vacancies in specific occupations listed in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, provided the salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
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Stay Duration: Visa holders can stay up to 4 years, or 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders.
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Minimum Salary Threshold: A minimum salary of AUD 135,000 is required for eligibility.
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Work Restriction: The visa restricts employment to the sponsoring organization.
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Pathway to Permanent Residency: After completing 2 years of work under this visa, applicants may qualify for permanent residency through Subclass 186 or 187.
Labour Agreement Stream
This stream is tailored for workers sponsored under a labor agreement negotiated between the employer and the Australian Government to meet specific industry needs.
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Stay Duration: Generally, the visa is valid for up to 4 years.
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Pathway to Permanent Residency: Depending on the terms of the agreement, a permanent residency pathway may be available.
Eligibility Criteria for the Skills in Demand Visa
To apply for a Skills in Demand visa, both the employer and the applicant must satisfy specific eligibility requirements.
For the Employer:
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Approved Sponsorship: First, the employer must either hold an existing sponsorship approval or apply to become an approved sponsor.
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Labour Market Testing: Additionally, they must prove that genuine efforts were made to hire a suitably qualified Australian worker before seeking an overseas candidate.
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Job Position: The offered role must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List and meet the minimum salary thresholds set by the Australian Government.
For the Applicant:
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Nominated Occupation: You must receive a valid job offer in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
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Skills and Experience: Furthermore, you should possess the necessary qualifications and at least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated field.
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English Language Proficiency: A minimum IELTS score of 5.0 overall, with no band less than 5, or an equivalent test score is required.
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Health and Character Requirements: You must meet Australia’s standards by completing a medical exam and submitting police clearance certificates.
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Health Insurance: Lastly, having adequate health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your stay is mandatory.
Required Documentation
When applying for a SID visa, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Proof of Identity:
- Passport (certified copy of the bio-data pages).
- Skills Assessment (if required):
- A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for certain occupations (if applicable).
- Qualifications and Work Experience:
- Certified copies of your academic qualifications.
- Employment references and evidence of at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
- English Language Test Results:
- Test results from IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE to demonstrate your English language proficiency.
- Health and Character Documents:
- Medical examination results.
- Police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years.
- Employment Contract:
- A job offer or employment contract from your sponsoring employer that outlines the terms and conditions of employment.
- Health Insurance:
- Proof of adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Visa Application Process
The application process for the S IDvisa follows these steps:
- Sponsorship Approval
The employer must first become an approved sponsor by applying to the Australian Government.
- Nomination
Once sponsorship approval is obtained, the employer must nominate a position that needs to be filled. This involves proving that the position cannot be filled by an Australian worker and that it meets the relevant occupation list requirements.
- Visa Application
After the nomination is approved, the worker can apply for the SID visa. This application must include all required documentation, including proof of qualifications, work experience, English language proficiency, and health and character documents.
- Processing and Decision
The Department of Home Affairs will assess the visa application, and if all criteria are met, the visa will be granted. Processing times vary depending on the visa stream and individual circumstances, but it typically takes 1-3 months.
SID Visa Costs
The visa application charges vary depending on the stream and the duration of the visa:
- Core Skill Stream: From AUD 3,115.
- Specialist Skill Stream: From AUD 3,115.
- Labour Agreement Stream: From AUD 3,115.
Additional costs include:
- Skills assessments (if required): Varies- based on the occupation.
- English language tests: Cost depends on the testing provider (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE).
- Health examinations and police checks: Varies based on location and provider.
How We Can Help
At A Square Migration Services, we provide expert guidance and assistance throughout the entire SID visa application process. Our services include:
- Employer Sponsorship Assistance: We help businesses apply for sponsorship approval and comply with labour market testing requirements.
- Visa Application Support: We assist applicants in preparing and lodging their visa applications, ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete.
- Skills Assessment Guidance: If a skills assessment is required, we guide you through the process.
- Health and Character Documentation: We help you obtain the necessary health examinations and police clearance certificates.
- Ongoing Support: We provide continuous support throughout the application process, keeping you updated on the status of your visa.
Apply for a SID Visa with A Square Migration Services
The Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482) provides an excellent opportunity for skilled workers to live and work in Australia while helping employers address their labour needs. At A Square Migration Services, we are committed to ensuring that your visa application is smooth and successful.
Contact us today to start your SID visa application or to learn more about your eligibility.