Australia’s Skills in Demand Visa (SID) in 2025

The Skills in Demand (SID) work visa is Australia’s new program allowing foreign professionals with in-demand skills to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years in 2025.

SID addresses labor shortages by bringing overseas talent into shortage occupations. Launched on 7 December 2024, SID replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa.

Australia is one of the best places to live and work, attracting qualified specialists from around the world. For candidates, it’s a chance to gain valuable Australian experience; for the country, it’s an efficient way to attract talent to priority sectors.

Introduced at the end of 2024, SID is regulated under the same legislative framework as subclass 482, with updated conditions.

Applicants must meet Department of Home Affairs requirements:

• Employer sponsor

You must have a job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor and nominate you. A visa application is possible only with an approved Standard Business Sponsor.

• Eligible occupation and income

Your role must be in an in-demand occupation listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). For most roles, offered pay must meet or exceed the Core Skills Income Threshold (currently around AUD 73,150 per year). Alternatively, highly skilled candidates can use the Specialist Skills stream with salary of at least AUD 135,000 — the occupation need not be on CSOL. A third route is via a Labour Agreement for specific sectors/regions (e.g., agriculture, aged care), with tailored requirements.

• Work experience

Requirements are lighter than before: at least 1 year of relevant experience (or part-time equivalent) within the last 5 years.

• English language

Evidence of English proficiency is required — typically IELTS 5.0 overall with at least 5.

0 in each band, or an accepted equivalent (PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge). Some exemptions may apply, but most applicants must provide test results.

• Health Conditions

You must pass medical checks and provide police clearances; private health insurance is required for your stay.

• Licensing/registration

If your occupation is regulated (e.g., doctors, nurses, electricians, teachers), you must obtain the relevant Australian license/registration/membership to work legally.

Notably, SID has no strict upper age limit — specialists of any age can apply.

• Long validity (up to 4 years)

Granted for up to four years, allowing continuous residence and work without annual renewals.

Options include reapplying for SID or transitioning to PR later.

• Flexibility to change employers

Changing employers is easier: you can move to a new sponsor without leaving Australia or applying for a new visa from scratch. You have up to 180 days to find a new job if employment ends, a major improvement over the former 60–90 day window.

• Direct pathway to permanent residence (PR)

After 2 years on SID, you may qualify for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 PR visa with employer support.

• Simplified experience and qualification requirements

Minimum 1 year of recent experience makes SID accessible to emerging specialists relative to programs requiring 2–3 years.

• Extended grace period after job loss

You may remain in Australia lawfully for up to 180 days to secure a new sponsor.

SID is multi-entry throughout its validity, and you may bring family members with work/study rights (as applicable).