Employer visas / Subclass 482

Skills in Demand visa

Skills in Demand visa (482).

Sponsor a skilled worker for up to 4 years when you can’t find the right person in Australia. We handle the sponsorship, nomination and visa.

Book a free 15-minute callCompare employer visas
StayUp to 4 years
Path to PR186 after 2 years with your sponsor
Core Skills salaryAt least AUD 79,423
Visa chargeFrom AUD 4,015

Our fees

Clear terms, agreed before you begin.

At Zest Legal, we believe in clear, upfront pricing. Our professional fees for standard visa applications are outlined below, so you know what to expect before getting started.

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

Visa applicationQuoted individually
Employer nominationQuoted individually
Standard business sponsorshipQuoted individually

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Visa applicationQuoted individually
Employer nominationQuoted individually

Sponsoring multiple employees?

We offer tailored pricing for businesses with multiple applications or ongoing sponsorship needs. Contact us to discuss a fee arrangement suited to your business.

We act on fixed professional fees for most matters, confirmed in writing together with the scope of our services before you proceed. Government charges and third-party expenses are additional.

For businesses

What your business needs.

Three applications: your business is approved as a sponsor, the role is nominated, then the worker applies for the visa. We prepare the first two together.

Sponsorship

  • Your business is lawfully operating
  • Approval lasts 5 years
  • You can meet sponsor obligations

Nomination

  • The role is genuine and full-time
  • Salary meets the market rate and the threshold
  • Job advertising (labour market testing) for at least 28 days, unless exempt

Which stream

  • Core Skills: occupation on the Core Skills list, salary at least AUD 79,423
  • Specialist Skills: salary at least AUD 146,576 (not trades, machinery operators or labourers)
Sponsorship applicationPaid to Home Affairs
AUD 420
Nomination applicationPer position
AUD 330
Skilling Australians Fund levyPer year of the visa. Turnover under $10m / $10m or more
AUD 1,200 / 1,800
The business must pay the sponsorship, nomination and SAF levy. These costs can’t be passed on to the worker.

For employees

What the worker needs.

Once the nomination is lodged, the worker applies for the visa. Family members can be included.

Eligibility

  • Nominated by an approved sponsor
  • At least 1 year of relevant work experience
  • Meets English requirements
  • Skills assessment, if the occupation needs one

With the visa

  • Work for your sponsor in the nominated role
  • Bring your partner and children
  • Travel in and out of Australia
  • Pathway to permanent residence through the 186
Who pays the visa costs? The visa charge and our visa fee can be paid by the employer or the worker. Agree this upfront.

How it works

From first call to a working visa.

01

Free 15-minute call

We confirm the right visa, the occupation and the salary, and flag anything that could hold it up.

02

Clear terms, then we begin

You receive a written quote and a checklist for the business and the employee.

03

We prepare everything

Sponsorship, nomination and visa, prepared together where we can. We guide any job advertising that’s needed.

04

Lodged and looked after

We lodge, deal with Home Affairs until a decision, and explain your obligations.

FAQ

Questions about the Subclass 482.

How long does it take?

Processing times vary and Home Affairs prioritises some sectors. We start sponsorship and job advertising at the same time so no time is lost.

Do we need to advertise the job?

Usually yes. Labour market testing means advertising the role in Australia for at least 28 days before nominating, unless an exemption applies.

What does the business fee cover?

Your sponsorship and one nomination: preparing and lodging both, and dealing with Home Affairs until a decision. Government fees and the SAF levy are extra.

Can the worker get permanent residence?

Often yes. After 2 years working for you on the 482, you may be able to nominate them for a 186 through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Can I pay in instalments?

Payment arrangements are discussed when we provide your quote and confirmed in your engagement letter.

Government charges are set by the Department of Home Affairs, change each July, and are paid on top of our fees. Figures checked October 2026. Use the Home Affairs estimator for exact visa charges.

Client reviews

What business owners say.

★★★★★
“I had an amazing experience with Zest Legal, they helped my company successfully secure visas for our employees. I'm so happy we switched over to Zest Legal from our previous lawyers, Rosa did an outstanding job and really went the extra mile to take care of all our immigration needs.”
Natalie KhoeiCEO of MESHKI
★★★★★
“We had a really positive experience working with Zest Legal to organise a working visa for one of our employees. The team was amazing to deal with, kept us informed every step of the way, and made the whole process feel a lot less overwhelming than we expected. Everything was handled smoothly and without delays.”
Nadim AssafCEO of Connect Mobility

★★★★★ 4.9 from 58 Google reviews

Zest for Business

Sponsoring several workers? Add ongoing support.

A monthly retainer for businesses with sponsored staff or a steady hiring pipeline. It covers the work that keeps you compliant and hiring.

  • Sponsor compliance monitoring, with reminders before deadlines
  • Notifying Home Affairs of changes within the required timeframes
  • Advice calls on sponsorship and workforce questions whenever you need them
  • Priority preparation of new nominations and visas
  • An annual sponsorship health check

Monthly retainer

Tailored to your workforce

Pricing depends on how many sponsored workers you have and how often you hire. Tell us about your business and we'll send you a proposal.

Talk to us about Zest for Business

Other options

Not the right fit?

Subclass 186Permanent employer visaNominate for permanent residence.Subclass 494Regional employer visaFor businesses outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.All employer visasCompare side by sideWhich visa fits your hire.

Hiring from overseas?

Book a free 15-minute discovery call to check basic eligibility and whether we're the right fit. It isn't legal advice, and depending on your circumstances you may still need a consultation. For legal advice now, book a 30-minute consultation ($330). Or call 1300 079 743.

Book a call or consultation

Schedule a free introductory call with our principal solicitor, Rosa Nobarani to discuss your immigration needs today.

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