Nigerian applicants · Commonwealth of Australia
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) for Nigerian citizens
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024.
This page covers the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) specifically for Nigerian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Nigeria. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 2 weeks – 8 weeks
- Government fees
- From AUD 3,115 base for principal applicant (verify).
- Typical duration
- Up to 4 years.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Commonwealth
Consular processing: a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Nigerian nationals are set by Department of Home Affairs and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Key figures for Nigerian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
2 weeks – 8 weeks
Home Affairs publishes 50th and 90th percentile windows per stream. Short-term / Medium-term Skills Shortage typically resolves at 2–8 weeks; accredited sponsors see faster outcomes.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Home Affairs — Global visa processing times →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR).
Leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship.
Visa overview
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) was rebuilt into the "Skills in Demand" visa from 7 December 2024 with three streams: Specialist Skills (high-salary), Core Skills, and Essential Skills (lower-paid roles via the Core Skills Occupation List). Pathways to permanent residence were broadened.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Sponsorship by an approved Australian Standard Business Sponsor.
- ✓Nominated occupation on the relevant stream's list (Specialist / Core / Essential).
- ✓Meeting the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT/CSIT) for the stream.
- ✓Skills assessment where required for the occupation.
Common blockers
- !Salary below the route-specific threshold.
- !Occupation not on the relevant list.
Typical evidence
- ·Sponsor and nomination approvals.
- ·Skills assessment certificate.
- ·English test (IELTS, PTE).
Application pathway
Sponsor becomes approved
Employer obtains Standard Business Sponsor status.
Nomination of position
Employer lodges nomination tied to specific role.
Visa application
Worker lodges application with skills, English, health evidence.
Transition to permanent residence
Via 186 ENS Temporary Residence Transition or Direct Entry.
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 1 July 2025In force 1 July 2025
Australia: Skills in Demand thresholds indexed (1 Jul 2025, again 1 Jul 2026) and the MATES scheme for India
The subclass 482 income thresholds were indexed for FY2025-26, with a further rise scheduled for 1 July 2026, and the MATES early-professionals scheme for India is running its annual ballots.
Australian Department of Home Affairs → - 7 December 2024In force 7 December 2024
Australia replaces 482 TSS with the Skills in Demand visa
Australia launched the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) framework with three income-based streams.
Australian Department of Home Affairs →
Other Commonwealth of Australia routes covered for Nigerian applicants
Not sure Commonwealth of Australia is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Nigerian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Nigerian citizens eligible for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)?+
Eligibility for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is set by Department of Home Affairs and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Nigerian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Commonwealth. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Nigerian applicants typically file the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)?+
a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Department of Home Affairs — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Nigerian applicants need a tourist visa for Commonwealth of Australia as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Nigerian nationals are set by Department of Home Affairs and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
How long does the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) take to process from Nigeria?+
The typical published decision window is 2 weeks – 8 weeks. Nigerian applicants usually file via a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Commonwealth of Australia?+
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR). The route leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship. See Home Affairs — Australian citizenship for the qualifying-residence rules.
Is the TSS visa the same as the Skills in Demand visa?+
The subclass number (482) is the same but the visa was renamed and restructured on 7 December 2024. Streams, thresholds, and pathway-to-PR rules changed. Treat pre-December-2024 guidance with care.
What are the three streams of the Skills in Demand visa?+
The 482 now has three streams. (1) Specialist Skills — for highly-paid workers (typically earning above AUD 141,210/year in most roles); no occupation list required. (2) Core Skills — for workers in occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, with salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold. (3) Essential Skills — for lower-paid essential workers (such as care, agriculture, and construction), with a Labour Agreement required and more restrictions on work rights. Most skilled migrants use the Specialist or Core Skills streams.
Does the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa lead to permanent residence?+
Yes, it can. The main pathway is to the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, which requires 2 years of employment with the sponsoring employer. The December 2024 reforms broadened the TRT pathway. Some Specialist Skills holders may also be eligible for the Direct Entry stream of subclass 186 with a skills assessment.
How long does the Skills in Demand visa process take?+
The process has three stages: (1) Sponsor approval — typically 1–3 months if the employer is not already approved; (2) Nomination — typically 1–4 months depending on occupation and stream; (3) Visa application — typically 2–6 months. In total, plan for 4– 12 months from starting the process to arriving in Australia. Specialist Skills stream applications tend to be faster. A skills assessment (where required) can add 3–6 months and should be started early.
Can my family join me on a Skills in Demand visa?+
Yes. Your partner (spouse or de facto) and dependent children can apply as secondary applicants. Your partner can work in Australia without restrictions, and children can attend school. Family members pay separate visa application charges. The Essential Skills stream has some restrictions — verify the current dependant rights for your stream on the Department of Home Affairs website.
What is the minimum salary for the Skills in Demand visa?+
It depends on your stream. For the Core Skills stream, the salary must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), which rose to AUD 76,515 on 1 July 2025 (verify on Home Affairs for the current figure). For the Specialist Skills stream, the threshold is higher (AUD 141,210 from 1 July 2025). Your salary must also meet the going rate for your occupation — paying below the market rate is not acceptable even if it clears the threshold. The Essential Skills stream has a lower threshold but requires a Labour Agreement.