Australia’s Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa — subclass 482 is undergoing its biggest reform since it replaced the 457 in 2018. From 1 July 2025 the rules you relied on to sponsor chefs, engineers or tech specialists will shift again. Below are the five headline changes every HR manager and business owner should note before lodging a new nomination.
| Change | Why it matters |
| Birth of the “Skills-in-Demand” (SID) visa The current 482 will be absorbed into a new SID framework with three streams: Core-Skills, Specialist-Skills and Essential-Skills. | Expect new nomination forms, refreshed occupation lists and updated caveats. Plan internal processes early so you’re not caught out on launch day. |
| Higher salary floors • TSMIT rises from AUD 73,150 → 76,515. • Core-Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) mirrors TSMIT. • Specialist-Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) climbs to AUD 141,210. | Budget for bigger payroll outlays or consider regional streams with lower benchmarks. Low-ball salaries will simply be refused. |
| Work-experience requirement drops to 12 months (down from two years) for most occupations. | Speeds up recruitment pipelines and opens access to candidates with recent Australian study plus one year’s post-qualification work. |
| Simpler permanent-residence pathway All SID/Core-Skills holders can transition to ENS 186 after two years (no list restrictions). | Boosts retention: use PR as an incentive to keep critical staff without cycling through new sponsorships. |
| Tougher employer-compliance regime New civil penalties, automatic disqualification triggers and real-time data-matching with the ATO. | Non-compliant sponsors face instant bar or “naming & shaming.” Conduct an internal audit before July. |
Practical Checklist for Sponsors
- Budget review – adjust salary packages to the new thresholds.
- Occupation strategy – confirm your role appears on the forthcoming SID lists.
- Timing – file urgent nominations before 30 June 2025 if current settings suit you better.
- Document refresh – update employment contracts and Labour Market Testing ads to reflect new income figures.
- Compliance audit – ensure pay records, training levy receipts and visa-holder tracking are in order.
Need help?
PRAEVO Lawyers has guided Victorian cafés, tech start-ups and manufacturers through every iteration of employer sponsorship over the last 15 years. If you’d like a “482 → SID” readiness review or a bespoke salary-benchmark report, get in touch.
📞 (03) 9671 4554 | 📧 info@praevo.com.au | 🌐 praevo.com.au/immigration
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and not legal advice. Always seek tailored advice for your specific circumstances.