What is the Specialist Skills Income Threshold for 2026-27?

AUD146,576 for nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, up 3.8 per cent from AUD141,210. The threshold applying is the one in force when the nomination is lodged. Your pay must also meet the annual market salary rate for the role.

How fast is Specialist Skills processing?

It is the fastest employer-sponsored route in Australia. As at September 2026, Home Affairs decides 50 per cent of Specialist Skills applications in 15 days and 90 per cent in 45 days, against 4 and 9 months for Core Skills. Home Affairs has committed to a median of 7 days for this stream.

Which occupations qualify for the Specialist Skills stream?

There is no occupation list. Your occupation must sit in ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, which covers managers, professionals, community and personal service workers, clerical and administrative workers, and sales workers. Major groups 3, 7 and 8, covering trades, machinery operators and labourers, are excluded.

Can a tradesperson use the Specialist Skills stream?

No. Technicians and trades workers sit in ANZSCO major group 3, which is excluded from this stream regardless of salary. Trades occupations must go through the Core Skills stream with an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, or through a Labour Agreement.

How much does a Specialist Skills 482 visa cost?

AUD4,015 for the main applicant and for each dependant aged 18 or over, plus AUD1,005 for each child under 18. The visa charge is the same across all three 482 streams. Your employer pays the AUD330 nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy separately.

How much work experience do I need?

At least 1 year in the nominated occupation or a closely related field, gained in the past 5 years. The same requirement applies across all three 482 streams. It does not need to be continuous, and equivalent part-time or casual work counts towards the 12 months.

What English do I need for the Specialist Skills stream?

The same as the other 482 streams. For tests taken from 13 September 2025, IELTS 5.0 in each component or the equivalent. Passport holders from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA are exempt, as are applicants with at least 5 years of English-medium study.

Does the Specialist Skills stream lead to PR?

Yes, through the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream after 2 years of full-time sponsored employment in the 3 years before applying. All three 482 streams feed the 186 TRT pathway, and the TRT stream does not impose an occupation list.

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Subclass 482 — Skills in DemandSpecialist Skills Stream · Priority processing

482 Specialist Skills Stream Skills in Demand Visa

The Specialist Skills stream of the subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa is designed for high-income earners in skilled roles across most ANZSCO occupations. Labour Market Testing applies unless an exemption applies, and this stream receives processing priority.

General information current as at October 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

The Short Answer

The Specialist Skills stream requires that the nominee's annual earnings will meet or exceed the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) of $146,576 per annum from 1 July 2026. The position may be in any ANZSCO occupation except those in ANZSCO major groups 3 (Technicians and Trades Workers), 7 (Machinery Operators and Drivers), or 8 (Labourers). Labour Market Testing is required unless a trade-obligation exemption applies. Priority processing applies. The visa is granted for up to four years, and holders may be eligible for permanent residence via the subclass 186 ENS TRT stream. Nanak Migration Group, a registered migration agent (MARN 2619467), can assess whether your role and remuneration qualify for the Specialist Skills stream before lodgement.

Reviewed by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619467)

Last reviewed: October 2026

Overview Eligibility Eligible occupations Application process Fees FAQ Related pages

$146,576 p.a.

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)

Minimum annual earnings from 1 July 2026. Figures current at October 2026 — confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website.

LMT applies

Labour Market Testing

At least 2 national job advertisements for 4 weeks within 4 months before nominating, unless a trade-obligation exemption applies.

Up to 4 years

Maximum visa period

Specialist Skills stream visas are granted for up to four years. Secondary applicants receive the same period.

Priority processing

Faster assessment

Specialist Skills stream nominations and visa applications generally receive priority processing by the Department.

Requirements

Specialist Skills Stream Eligibility Criteria

Approved sponsor

The sponsoring employer must hold Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) and complete Labour Market Testing before lodging the nomination, unless an exemption applies.

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)

The nominee's annual earnings must meet or exceed the SSIT — $146,576 per annum from 1 July 2026. Annual earnings include base salary and guaranteed loadings, but generally exclude discretionary bonuses. Figures current at October 2026 — confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website.

ANZSCO major group restriction

The nominated occupation may be in any ANZSCO skill level, but occupations in ANZSCO major groups 3 (Technicians and Trades Workers), 7 (Machinery Operators and Drivers), or 8 (Labourers) are excluded from the Specialist Skills stream.

Skills and qualifications

No mandatory skills assessment is prescribed for the Specialist Skills stream, but the nominee must have qualifications and experience relevant to the nominated occupation. The Department assesses whether the role is genuine and the nominee is appropriately qualified.

English language

For tests taken from 13 September 2025, you need at least IELTS 5.0 in each component or equivalent. Exemptions apply to some passport holders, applicants with five years of English-medium study, and employees of an overseas business nominated by that business who will earn at least AUD96,400.

Occupation eligibility

Which Occupations are Eligible?

Eligible ANZSCO groups

Managers (Group 1)
Professionals (Group 2)
Community & personal service workers (Group 4)
Clerical & administrative (Group 5)
Sales workers (Group 6)

Excluded ANZSCO groups

Group 3 — Technicians and Trades Workers
Group 7 — Machinery Operators and Drivers
Group 8 — Labourers

Unlike the Core Skills stream, the Specialist Skills stream does not require the occupation to appear on the CSOL. Any ANZSCO occupation in the eligible major groups can be nominated, provided the salary threshold is met. However, the genuine position test still applies — the role must be a genuine business need.

How to apply

Application Process — Specialist Skills Stream

Confirm salary meets SSIT

Before engaging a migration agent, confirm that the total guaranteed annual remuneration for the role will be at least $146,576 (SSIT from 1 July 2026). Discretionary bonuses generally do not count toward the threshold.

Employer confirms or obtains SBS

The employer must hold Standard Business Sponsorship and complete Labour Market Testing (unless an exemption applies) before lodging the nomination.

Employer lodges nomination

The nomination is lodged through ImmiAccount. The SAF Levy is payable by the employer at this stage. Priority processing generally applies to Specialist Skills stream nominations.

Nominee lodges visa application

The nominee lodges the subclass 482 visa application, providing health, character, English, and skills/experience evidence. The application may be lodged concurrently with the nomination.

Visa grant

On grant, the nominee (and any secondary applicants) may enter Australia and commence work. The employer must ensure the nominee is employed in the nominated occupation and paid at least the nominated salary.

Costs

Specialist Skills Stream Fees

Nomination application charge$330 per nominee

SAF Levy — small business (turnover < $10M)$1,200 per year × visa period (e.g. 4 years = $4,800 upfront)

SAF Levy — standard business (turnover ≥ $10M)$1,800 per year × visa period (e.g. 4 years = $7,200 upfront)

Visa Application Charge — primary applicant$4,015 (from 1 July 2026)

Visa Application Charge — each dependant 18 or over$4,015

Visa Application Charge — each dependant under 18$1,005

Figures current at October 2026 — confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Assess Specialist Skills stream eligibility

Nanak Migration Group (MARN 2619467) can confirm whether your role and salary qualify for the Specialist Skills stream and manage the nomination and visa application process.

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General information only — not immigration advice

About this information

This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.

No outcome representation

1313 Success Group Pty Ltd trading as Nanak Migration Group makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.

Get personal advice

Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Information current as at October 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.

482 Specialist Skills Stream Skills in Demand Visa

General information current as at October 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

The Short Answer

Specialist Skills Stream Eligibility Criteria

Which Occupations are Eligible?

Application Process — Specialist Skills Stream

Specialist Skills Stream Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages

Assess Specialist Skills stream eligibility

Specialist Skills Stream Eligibility Criteria

Which Occupations are Eligible?

Application Process — Specialist Skills Stream

Specialist Skills Stream Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages

Assess Specialist Skills stream eligibility