Skills in Demand visa (SID) (subclass 482) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. Pathway to PR via subclass 186 (ENS) after 2 years with an eligible sponsor.

Visa typeTemporary (up to 4 yrs)

LodgementOnshore or offshore

StayUp to 4 years

Work rightsFull-time for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation

Study rightsYes

Government charge~$3,210 (Core stream; Specialist higher)

Processing time~1-3 months (priority 5-10 days)

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 482 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Confirm the sponsor
The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (or apply to become one). No sponsor, no visa - sequence the three applications correctly.
Nomination
The employer nominates a genuine position in an eligible occupation for the stream, evidences labour market testing where required, and meets the salary threshold (CSIT and market rate).
Visa application
The applicant evidences skills, experience (usually 1+ year), English, and any occupation-specific licensing or skills assessment.
Health, character, decision
Medicals and police checks; priority processing can be fast, so have everything ready at lodgement.
Grant briefing
Brief the client on condition 8607: work only for the sponsor in the nominated occupation; changing employers needs a new nomination first. Map the 2-year run to a 186 TRT application.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 482 is viable.

An approved sponsor who nominates you for a genuine positionRelevant skills and (usually) at least 1 year of experienceOccupation eligible under the relevant stream (Core or Specialist Skills)Salary at or above the required threshold (CSIT/TSMIT)Competent English; skills assessment for some occupations

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4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentSponsorship and nomination approval referencesSigned employment contract at or above the salary thresholdCV plus references evidencing the skills and at least 1 year of experienceEnglish test result; skills assessment or licensing where the occupation requires it

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5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	~$3,210 (Core stream; Specialist higher)
Skilling Australians Fund levy (paid by the employer, not the client)	482: $1,200-1,800/yr; 186/494: $3,000-5,000 one-off
Nomination fee (employer)	~$330-540
Skills assessment where required	~$500-1,600
English test	~$400-460
Health examinations (per person)	~$300-500
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

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7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 482 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Mei from Iran

Background: Mei, a medical laboratory scientist from Iran. Skilled workers with an Australian employer sponsor for an occupation in demand. Replaced the TSS visa.
Why it qualified: (1) An approved sponsor who nominates you for a genuine position. (2) Relevant skills and (usually) at least 1 year of experience. (3) Occupation eligible under the relevant stream (Core or Specialist Skills).
What made the file strong: The file opened with a short submission mapping each criterion to its evidence, so the case officer never had to hunt.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~1-3 months (priority 5-10 days)).

Grant: Amir from Sri Lanka

Background: Amir, a chef from Sri Lanka. Skilled workers with an Australian employer sponsor for an occupation in demand. Replaced the TSS visa.
Why it qualified: (1) An approved sponsor who nominates you for a genuine position. (2) Relevant skills and (usually) at least 1 year of experience. (3) Occupation eligible under the relevant stream (Core or Specialist Skills).
What made the file strong: The agent tested the weakest criterion first and fixed it before lodging, not after a natural-justice letter.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~1-3 months (priority 5-10 days)).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Ngoc from India

Background: Ngoc, an ICT business analyst from India, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 482.
What went wrong: Sponsor or nomination not approved (genuineness, labour-market testing)
Outcome: The Department refused; the client lost the application charge, months of lead time, and in this subclass a refusal also complicates any onshore follow-up.
Lesson for the agent: Apply the decision-ready test: if you cannot evidence the claim today, the application is not ready to lodge.

Refusal: Omar from Colombia

Background: Omar, a diesel motor mechanic from Colombia, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 482.
What went wrong: Nominated salary below the threshold
Outcome: The case officer decided on the papers without a further request - the file had to stand on its own, and it could not.
Lesson for the agent: Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.

9. Self-exam

10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

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