The Three Streams of Visa 482: Core, Specialist and Labour Agreement
Like visa 186, visa 482 (Skills in Demand) is not a single path — it has three streams that differ in occupation groups and some conditions. Knowing which stream you fall into helps you prepare the right evidence and set the right expectations about your pathway.
Core Skills
Core Skills is the most widely used stream, covering most in-demand skilled occupations. The reference experience requirement is 1 year; the visa 482 English requirement depends on the stream and the occupation — check the specific level on the official Home Affairs page. This is the path most skilled workers go through.
Specialist Skills
Specialist Skills is aimed at higher-paid positions above a set salary threshold and specialised occupation groups. This stream may have some conditions of its own compared with Core Skills, so if your role falls in the higher-salary group, it is worth checking whether you belong in Specialist Skills.
Labour Agreement
The Labour Agreement stream applies when a business has its own labour agreement with the government — usually for an industry or region with a specific arrangement. The conditions depend on the content of the particular agreement, so it is hard to summarise into one general standard; ask your employer whether they fall into this category.
Choosing the right stream
Most workers fall into Core Skills. Specialist Skills is for the higher-salary or specialised group, while Labour Agreement is tied to a business’s own agreement. Identifying the right stream is a first step because it affects the conditions and evidence you need to prepare — and is a point where a registered migration agent (MARA) can help you pin it down precisely for your case.