Everything you need to know about the Skills in Demand Visa

Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills Stream addresses shortages in critical occupations essential to Australia’s labor market. This stream is designed to provide a flexible and accessible pathway for skilled workers while helping Australian employers fill vital roles.

• Eligible Occupations: Applicants must be nominated to work in an occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). 
• Income Threshold: Applicants must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold of AUD 73,150 annually. This aligns with the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) used under the previous TSS visa, ensuring that applicants earn a wage reflective of their skills and the demand for their occupation.
• Work Experience: Applicants are required to have at least one year of full-time relevant work experience (or equivalent part-time/casual work) in the nominated occupation or a related field within the past 5 years. This experience must meet the standards outlined in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
• English Language: Applicants must demonstrate minimum standards of English language proficiency unless exempted, typically through standardized tests such as IELTS or PTE.
• Visa Duration: The visa is granted for up to 4 years, or up to 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders.
• Visa Costs: The visa application fee starts at AUD 3,115, with additional fees for dependent applicants.
• Visa Conditions:
  • Applicants must work only for the sponsor or their associated entity unless exempt.
  • A relevant skills assessment may be required based on the applicant’s occupation.
  • Applicants must comply with conditions that may apply to their visa, including English language proficiency and work restrictions.
• Eligibility for Permanent Residency: After fulfilling work experience and salary requirements, applicants may be eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Permanent Residency Transition Stream, offering a clear pathway to long-term residence in Australia.
• Skills and Qualifications: Applicants must provide evidence of their qualifications and skills. If required, they must undergo a skills assessment by an approved Australian assessing authority. A positive skills assessment may be needed to demonstrate competency in the nominated occupation.
• Nomination and Sponsorship:
  • Applicants must be nominated by an approved sponsor, either within Australia or internationally.
  • For Australian business sponsors, you must be employed in the nominated occupation in their business or associated entity.
  • Overseas business sponsors can only nominate applicants to work within their own business and not associated entities, though some exemptions apply.
• Work Experience Requirements:
  • At least 1 year of work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field is required.
  • Work experience can be gained through full-time, part-time, casual work, or even formal education placements, internships, and apprenticeships relevant to the nominated occupation.
• Exemptions: Certain applicants may be exempt from specific requirements, such as the mandatory skills assessment, based on their occupation or experience.
• Stay Duration: Primary visa holders are generally granted a stay of up to 4 years, or 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders.

Specialist Skilled Stream

The Specialist Skilled Stream will address shortages in highly skilled occupations important to Australia’s workforce. This stream allows skilled professionals to work in Australia for specific roles, offering flexibility and clear pathways to permanent residency for qualified candidates.

• Eligible Occupations: Applicants must be nominated to work in an occupation from the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), specifically in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6. The nominated salary must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold. Excludes ANZSCO major groups 3 (Technicians and Trade Workers), 7 (Machinery Operators and Drivers), and 8 (Labourers).
• Income Threshold: Applicants need to meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) of $135,000 and ensure it is not less than the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
• Work Experience: A minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field is required. This experience can be part-time or full-time within the last 5 years, and must meet ANZSCO guidelines for the occupation.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants must meet the minimum standards for English language proficiency unless exempted.
• Visa Duration: The visa is valid for up to 4 years, or 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders.
• Visa Costs: The application fee begins at AUD 3,115, with additional fees for dependents.
• Visa Conditions:
  • Applicants must work for the sponsoring employer or their associated entity (with some exemptions).
  • A relevant skills assessment may be required based on the applicant’s occupation.
• Eligibility for Permanent Residency: After meeting work experience and salary requirements, applicants may qualify to apply for permanent residency through other streams.
• Nomination and Sponsorship:
  • Applicants must be nominated by an approved sponsor (either Australian or overseas business).
  • The employer must nominate a position from the ANZSCO occupation list (excluding occupations in Major Groups 3, 7, or 8).
• Skills and Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate their skills and qualifications to meet the demands of the nominated occupation. For some occupations, a skills assessment is mandatory.
• Medical Practitioners: If the occupation is medical, applicants must have their qualifications recognized by the relevant authority for medical practice in Australia.
• Work Experience: Work experience can be obtained through internships, clinical placements, or even as part of a Masters/PhD program, as long as it aligns with the skills required for the occupation.
• Exemptions: Some applicants may be exempt from certain requirements like mandatory skills assessments based on their occupation or experience.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement Stream allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia temporarily if nominated by an employer holding a valid Labour Agreement. These agreements are established between the Australian Government and employers to address specific workforce needs.The Labour Agreement stream of the TSS visa will be retained under the SID and will operate alongside both the Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams.

• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Applicants must be nominated to work in an occupation that is part of a Labour Agreement between the Australian Government and the employer.
  • A minimum of 12 months of relevant full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time/casual work) is required, unless specified otherwise in the Labour Agreement.
• Visa Duration:
  • The visa is granted for up to 4 years, depending on the terms outlined in the specific Labour Agreement.
  • Hong Kong passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.
• Visa Costs:
  • The application fee starts at AUD 3,115.
• Processing Times:
  • Processing times vary, and applicants can check for general estimates using the visa processing time guide tool.
• Visa Conditions:
  • Applicants must work only for their sponsoring employer, as specified in the Labour Agreement.
  • Applicants must meet minimum English language proficiency standards unless exempted.
  • A relevant skills assessment may be required based on the occupation.
• Eligibility for Permanent Residency:
  • If eligible, applicants may transition to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) with their employer’s support.
• Work Restrictions:
  • Applicants are restricted to working under the terms of the Labour Agreement, and they must adhere to the conditions of the agreement.

What Current TSS Holders Need to Know

For those who have already lodged a TSS nomination and have not yet applied for the associated TSS visa before this date, if the nomination is approved, it will automatically be treated as an SID nomination, allowing applicants to apply for a SID visa instead.

For those who currently hold a TSS visa,  their visa will remain valid until the original expiry date. These visa holders can continue to live, work, and study in Australia under the conditions of their current visa. If any family members were not included in the initial visa application, they can apply to join the visa holder while the visa is still valid.

TSS visa holders can switch to a new employer if their occupation is on the CSOL or if their nomination meets the income requirements for the Specialist Skills stream. If the occupation does not meet these criteria, changing employers won’t be an option. However, these individuals can take advantage of enhanced mobility provisions to seek employment in a new field, apply for a different visa, or leave Australia.