How much does a 482 visa cost?

see Home Affairs for current rate As at last published indexation (1 July 2025), the 482 visa (Skills in Demand, formerly TSS) main applicant fee was $3,210. Employers pay additional costs: sponsorship fee ($420), nomination fee ($330), and SAF levy ($1,200/year for businesses under $10M turnover or $1,800/year for $10M+). For a 4-year visa with a small business, total costs are approximately $8,760 (including $3,210 employee fee + $4,800 SAF levy + $750 employer fees). Our Melbourne agents provide a current cost breakdown based on your specific situation.

What is the SAF levy and who pays it?

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a mandatory training contribution paid by the sponsoring employer (NOT the employee). For temporary 482 visas, it is $1,200/year (businesses under $10M turnover) or $1,800/year ($10M+), paid annually for each year of visa validity. For permanent 186 visas, it is a one-time payment of $3,000 (under $10M) or $5,000 ($10M+). This levy funds training programs for Australian workers. Our Melbourne migration agents help employers calculate and budget for SAF levy costs.

Do I need a job offer before applying?

Yes, employer-sponsored visas (482 and 186) require a genuine job offer from an approved Australian employer in Melbourne or elsewhere in Australia. The employer must be willing to sponsor you and nominate you for the position. They must also demonstrate through labour market testing that they cannot find a suitable Australian worker for the role (some exemptions apply). Our Melbourne agents can help you find sponsoring employers or assist your current employer with the sponsorship process.

What is the pathway from 482 to permanent residency?

After working for your sponsor for 2 years on a 482 visa (Core Skills stream), you may be eligible for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. You must continue working in the same or a closely related occupation for the same employer and meet the CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold). The 186 visa main applicant fee is $4,910 plus employer costs (nomination $540 + SAF levy $3,000-$5,000). Our Melbourne 482-to-186 transition specialists help ensure a smooth pathway to PR.

What is the minimum salary for 482 and 186 visas in FY2025-26?

see Home Affairs for current rate For the Core Skills stream of the 482 Skills in Demand visa (and the 186 ENS), the minimum salary is set by the CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold). As at 1 July 2025 the CSIT was approximately $76,515 per year, with next indexation due 1 July 2026. The Specialist Skills stream threshold was approximately $141,210 per year (as at 1 July 2025). These are base thresholds — actual salaries must also meet the Australian market rate for your occupation in Melbourne.

Can I change employers on a 482 visa?

Yes, you can change employers on a 482 visa, but the new employer must be an approved sponsor and must nominate you for a new position. You will need to apply for a new 482 visa with the new employer. You can work for the new employer once the new nomination is approved, even if the visa application is still processing. The work requirement for 186 PR eligibility continues to count if you remain in the same occupation.

Can my family come with me on an employer sponsored visa?

Yes, you can include your partner and dependent children in your 482 or 186 visa application. They will have the same visa conditions as you. On a 482 visa, your partner has full work rights and children can attend school. On a 186 permanent visa, your family gets full PR benefits including Medicare, work rights, and pathway to citizenship. Partner visa fees are $3,210 (482) or $2,455 (186), and children cost $805 (482) or $1,230 (186).

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Expert employer sponsored visa services in Melbourne. MARA-registered agents helping employers sponsor workers and employees gain PR. SAF levy guidance included.

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Employer Sponsored Visa Services in Melbourne

As Melbourne's expert employer sponsored visa specialists, we assist both skilled workers seeking employer sponsorship and Melbourne businesses wanting to sponsor overseas talent. Our MARA-registered migration agents (No. 1569835) provide comprehensive guidance on the subclass 482 visa (Skills in Demand, formerly TSS - Temporary Skill Shortage, renamed December 2024) across the Specialist, Core and Essential Skills streams, the subclass 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme/ENS) for permanent residency, and the subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa. Whether you're a chef, IT professional, engineer, manager, or tradesperson in Melbourne or regional Victoria, we can help you secure employer sponsorship or guide your business through the sponsorship process.

The employer sponsored visa pathway is one of the most popular routes to Australian permanent residency, especially in Melbourne's diverse job market. The 482 visa allows skilled workers to work in Australia for up to 4 years for an approved sponsor, with full work rights and access to Medicare. After the required period of employment on a 482 visa (currently 2 years for most applicants), eligible workers can transition to the permanent 186 visa (ENS) through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. Our Melbourne employer visa agents help navigate the complex requirements including labour market testing, Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, the CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold) minimum salary see Home Affairs for current rate, and nomination processes.

Our employer sponsored visa services in Melbourne include employer sponsorship approval, labour market testing compliance, position nomination applications, SAF levy calculation and guidance, visa application preparation for employees, 482 to 186 transition planning, and ongoing compliance support. We serve employers and employees across Melbourne CBD, St Kilda, and all Victoria suburbs with bilingual support in English and Chinese.

Authored by R. Weng — MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 1569835). LLM (Australian National University), LLB (Deakin), admitted to practice law in Victoria.

Employer Sponsor Visa Options

Employer-sponsored pathways for skilled workers

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)

A temporary visa allowing skilled workers to work in Australia for an approved sponsor for up to 4 years. Can lead to permanent residency.

Work for approved sponsor
Up to 4 years duration
Pathway to permanent residency

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

A permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by their employer. Allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.

Permanent residency
Work for nominating employer
Pathway to citizenship

Labour Agreement Stream

For workers sponsored under a labour agreement between an employer and the Australian Government. Tailored to specific industry needs.

Negotiated terms
Industry-specific pathways
Flexible requirements

Quick Comparison

	Temporary (482)	Permanent (186)	Agreement (482)
Duration	2-4 years	Permanent	4 years
Pathway to PR
Work rights	Sponsor only	Unrestricted	Sponsor only
Processing	3-6 months	6-12 months	3-6 months

Employer Sponsored Visa Fees FY2025-26 - Complete Cost Breakdown

Australian employer sponsored visa fees as at 1 July 2025 (next indexation 1 July 2026)

Important: Employer vs Employee Costs

Employer sponsored visas involve costs for BOTH the employee (visa application fees) and the employer (sponsorship, nomination, and SAF levy). Below we clearly separate these costs for transparency.

Subclass 482 - Skills in Demand - Temporary Visa

Up to 4 years duration

Employee Pays (Visa Fees)

Main applicant$3,210

Partner (18+)$3,210

Child (<18)$805

Additional costs per person:

• Health exam: $300-600
• Biometrics: ~$300
• Police checks: varies

Employer Pays

Sponsorship fee (one-time)$420

Nomination fee$330

SAF Levy (per year)

Turnover <$10M

$1,200/yr

SAF Levy (per year)

Turnover $10M+

$1,800/yr

482 Visa Total Cost Examples

Single Employee + Small Business (<$10M)

Employee visa fee:$3,210

Employer fees:$750

SAF levy (4 years):$4,800

Total:$8,760

Couple + 1 Child + Large Business ($10M+)

Employee visas:$7,225

($3,210 + $3,210 + $805)

Employer fees:$750

SAF levy (4 years):$7,200

Total:$15,175

Note: SAF levy is $1,200/year for businesses under $10M turnover, $1,800/year for $10M+

Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) - Permanent Visa

Permanent residency pathway

Employee Pays (Visa Fees)

Main applicant$4,910

Partner (18+)$2,455

Child (<18)$1,230

Additional costs per person:

• Health exam: $300-600
• Biometrics: ~$300
• Police checks: $50-200
• Skills assessment (Direct Entry): $500-1,500

Employer Pays (One-Time)

Nomination fee$540

SAF Levy

Turnover <$10M

$3,000

SAF Levy

Turnover $10M+

$5,000

Note: SAF levy is one-time payment for permanent 186 visa (vs. annual for temporary 482)

186 Visa Total Cost Examples

Single Employee + Small Business

Employee visa:$4,910

Nomination:$540

SAF levy:$3,000

Total:$8,450

Family of 3 + Large Business ($10M+)

Employee visas:$8,595

($4,910 + $2,455 + $1,230)

Nomination:$540

SAF levy:$5,000

Total:$14,135

What is the SAF Levy (Skilling Australians Fund)?

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a mandatory training contribution paid by employers to fund training for Australian workers. This levy is paid by the sponsoring employer, NOT the visa applicant.

Temporary Visa (482)

Annual SAF (<$10M):$1,200/year

Annual SAF ($10M+):$1,800/year

Paid annually for each year of visa validity (e.g., 4-year visa = 4 × $1,200 = $4,800)

Permanent Visa (186)

One-time SAF (<$10M):$3,000

One-time SAF ($10M+):$5,000

One-time payment only (not annual)

Minimum Salary Requirements — 482 Skills in Demand (FY2025-26)

The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa has three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Essential Skills. Figures shown as at 1 July 2025; next indexation 1 July 2026.

Specialist Skills (482)

~$141,210

per year (as at 1 Jul 2025)

Core Skills (482) / CSIT

~$76,515

per year (as at 1 Jul 2025)

Essential Skills (482)

see Home Affairs for current rate

For lower-paid essential occupations under labour agreement arrangements

CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold) replaces the former TSMIT. Actual salaries must also meet the Australian market rate for the occupation.

Note on Labour Agreement: A Labour Agreement is a pathway/arrangement (negotiated between an employer and the Department of Home Affairs), not a peer stream of the Skills in Demand visa. Skills in Demand applications can be lodged under a Labour Agreement where standard streams do not fit; thresholds and concessions are set by the specific agreement.

Pathway to Permanent Residency: 482 to 186

How temporary employer sponsorship leads to permanent residency

482 Skills in Demand Visa

Temporary (up to 4 years)

Cost: ~$8,760

(small business, 4 years)

↓

Work 2 Years (TRT)

Same employer, same / closely related role

Requirement

Salary at or above CSIT see Home Affairs for current rate

↓

186 ENS Visa

Permanent Residency

Cost: ~$8,450

(small business)

↓

Citizenship

After 4 years on PR

Australian Citizen

Total Pathway Cost: ~$17,210 (482 + 186 for single applicant, small business over ~7 years to citizenship)

Employer Sponsored Visa Requirements

Approved Sponsor

Your employer must be an approved sponsor or apply for sponsorship approval. They must demonstrate genuine need for the position.

Nomination

Your employer must nominate you for a position that matches your skills and qualifications. The position must meet salary and conditions requirements.

Skills and Experience

Have the skills, qualifications, and work experience required for the nominated position. May require skills assessment.

English Language

Meet English language requirements appropriate to the visa stream and occupation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common concerns about employer sponsorship

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