Commonwealth of Australia · Processing time
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
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.
How long does the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) take to process in Australia?
The typical published decision window is 2 weeks – 8 weeks from a complete application. 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 against Home Affairs — Global visa processing times on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
2 weeks – 8 weeks
from complete application
80th percentile
49 days
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)?
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024.
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.
- Sponsorship: You need a job offer or employer sponsor in Commonwealth of Australia.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Commonwealth of Australia.
- Typical permit length: Up to 4 years.
- Indicative government fees: From AUD 3,115 base for principal applicant (verify).
How to read this estimate
The 2 weeks – 8 weeks window is the time Home Affairs — Global visa processing times typically associates with the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents. The 49-day figure is the 80th percentile: roughly 8 in 10 applications are decided by then. The most complex one in five take longer.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The Home Affairs — Global visa processing times page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) take to process?+
The typical wait is 2 weeks – 8 weeks from submitting a complete application. 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. These figures come from Home Affairs — Global visa processing times and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 2 weeks – 8 weeks clock start?+
The clock starts when Home Affairs — Global visa processing times receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Australia routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (2 weeks – 8 weeks — the 49-day figure) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.