Skills in Demand Visa (SID)

The Skills in Demand Visa (SID) will likely replace the subclass 482 visa at the end of 2024.

The SID visa will be a temporary employer sponsored visa.

The details at a glance:

• Three-tiered Skills in Demand Visa
• The Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL)
• Key features of the Skills in Demand Visa
• Benefits for Employers

Three-tiered Skills in Demand Visa

It is expected that the Skills in Demand Visa will have a three-tiered system based on salary and occupation:

1) Specialist Skills Pathway

• The Specialist Skills Pathway may be open to any occupation except trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and labourers.
• The Department of Home Affairs commits to an average fast-tracked 7-day processing time
• For highly skilled workers earning at least $135,000 annually

2) Core Skills Pathway

• For skilled workers earning $70,000-$135,000 annually
• Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• 21-day processing time is expected

3) Essential Skills Pathway

• For workers earning below $70,000 annually
• Sector-specific and capped

The Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL)

The Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) is a key component of Australia's new Skills in Demand visa.

Jobs and Skills Australia, (JSA) a government agency, is responsible for creating and managing this list.

The draft CSOL is released for consultation purposes only. The list has currently three distinct sublists which are comprised of skilled occupations

• the JSA is confident listed occupations should be on the CSOL
• the JSA suggest listed occupations should not be on the CSOL
• the JSA seek further stakeholder feedback for listed occupations

You can read the details on the JSA website here:

• Draft CSOL Confident On List
• Draft CSOL Confident Off List
• Draft CSOL Targeted for Consultation List

It is important to note the SCOL is still being finalized:  Draft Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) for Consultation

Key features of the Skills in Demand Visa

Key features of the Skills in Demand Visa may include:

• 4-year validity period for all streams
• Increased flexibility for visa holders to change employers
• 180 days to find a new sponsor if employment ceases
• Time spent with any approved employer counts towards permanent residence

Benefits for Employers

The new SID visa system aims to address employers’ needs more effectively. Benefits may include:

• More streamlined visa processing
• Revised fee model exploring trailing payments instead of large upfront fees (e.g. the Australian Fund (SAF) levy)
• Public register of approved sponsors to facilitate worker mobility

The Department of Home Affairs has not yet published requirements of this new visa including how the transition to PR from this new visa will work.

Stay tuned for more updates.