Key Features

• Stay in Australia for up to 4 years.
• Work only in your nominated occupation for your approved sponsor (with some exemptions).
• Bring eligible family members, who can work and study.
• Travel in and out of Australia freely while your visa is valid.
• If your employment ends, you have up to 180 days at a time (and 365 days in total) to find a new sponsor, apply for another visa, or leave Australia.

Visa Streams

1. Specialist Skills Stream

• For highly skilled workers in ANZSCO 2022 Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 (e.g. managers, professionals, community/personal service, clerical, sales).
• Must earn at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT):
  • AUD 141,210 (for applications lodged 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026).
  • AUD 135,000 (for applications lodged 7 Dec 2024 – 30 June 2025).
• No occupation list applies, but trades, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers are excluded.

2. Core Skills Stream

• For skilled workers in occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), developed by Jobs and Skills Australia.
• Must earn at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (aligned with TSMIT):
  • AUD 76,515 (from 1 July 2025).
  • AUD 73,150 (before 30 June 2025).
• This stream covers the majority of visas, including trades and other in-demand occupations.

3. Labour Agreement Stream

• For workers sponsored under a Labour Agreement negotiated between an employer and the Australian Government.
• English, salary, and skills requirements may differ depending on the terms of the agreement.

Skills in Demand Visa Streams – At a Glance

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be nominated for an eligible occupation by an approved sponsor.
• Have the skills, qualifications, and work experience for the nominated occupation.
• Have worked in the occupation (or a related field) for at least 1 year full-time (or equivalent) in the last 5 years.
• Meet the English language requirement:
  • IELTS 5.0 overall and 5.0 in each band (or equivalent PTE, OET, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge).
  • Test must be taken in a single sitting within the last 3 years.
  • Exemptions apply for passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, or Ireland; those with 5+ years of English study; certain intra-company transferees; and others under LIN 24/099.
• Hold or obtain health insurance (visa condition 8501).
• Meet character and health checks (PICs 4001–4007, 4019, 4020, 4021, etc.).

Family Members

You may include your:

• Spouse or de facto partner.
• Children under 23 (or older if dependent due to disability).

Family members can work and study in Australia. Their visa will usually end on the same date as the primary applicant’s visa.

Visa Length

• The SID visa is generally granted for the same period approved in the employer’s nomination, up to 4 years.
• Family visas match the primary visa end date (special rules apply if children turn 23).

Changing Sponsor or Occupation

• If you want to change employer but stay in the same occupation:
  • A new nomination from your new sponsor is required (unless your job is in an exempt occupation under LIN 19/212).
  • You don’t need to apply for a new visa unless your current one is expiring.
• If you want to change occupation:
  • You must lodge a new nomination and a new SID visa application.

Fees

Visa application charges are set in law and may change on 1 July each year. Current charges include:

• Primary applicant: from AUD 3,210
• Secondary applicant (18+): from AUD 3,210 each
• Secondary applicant (under 18): from AUD 805 each

Employers must also pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy when lodging a nomination.

Pathways to Permanent Residency

SID visa holders may become eligible for permanent residency through:

• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) – Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) or Direct Entry (DE).
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, with pathways to PR.
• Other skilled migration options if eligible under points-tested or employer-sponsored programs.