Apply for
482 Nomination
Sponsor the Right Skilled Worker, the Right Way
Before the skilled worker can lodge their visa application, the sponsoring employer must submit a nomination for the specific position and nominee. The business must be (or have applied to be) a Standard Business Sponsor, and the nomination must be approved and valid at the time the Department decides the visa application. A nomination is generally valid for 12 months from the approval date, and the nominee must usually commence employment within 90 days of visa grant (or entry to Australia, if granted offshore), or the visa may be at risk of cancellation.
Knowbal Migration helps employers prepare a nomination that is decision-ready — confirming sponsor eligibility, aligning the role to the correct occupation and stream, ensuring salary and employment terms are compliant, preparing required evidence (including labour market testing where applicable), and managing nomination timing and validity to support a smooth visa lodgement and stronger approval prospects.
Overview for 482 Nomination
- Address genuine labour shortages
Sponsor a skilled worker to fill a role you cannot source locally, provided the position and need are genuine. - Choose the right stream for your role
Select Core Skills, Specialist Skills, or Labour Agreement based on the occupation pathway and your eligibility as an employer. - Hold (or apply for) sponsorship approval
You must be, or have applied to be, an approved sponsor (or operate under a valid labour agreement where applicable). - Nominate an eligible occupation and position
Your nomination must match an eligible occupation for the chosen stream, and the duties must align to the occupation and business need. - Meet salary and threshold requirements
You must pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and meet the relevant income threshold for the stream (Core Skills / Specialist Skills) or comply with labour agreement terms. - Plan workforce continuity
The worker can generally stay up to 4 years (eligible Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years), supporting medium-term workforce planning. - Maintain sponsorship and nomination compliance
Ongoing compliance is critical (role consistency, pay conditions, record-keeping, and sponsor obligations) throughout the worker’s employment and visa period.Cost: From AUD 330 (nomination) + Skilling Australians Fund levy | check here
Eligibility for 482 Nomination
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Approved sponsor status | Core Skills & Specialist Skills: The business must be approved (or pending) Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). Labour Agreement: The business must hold a Labour Agreement and nominate strictly within its terms. |
| Eligible occupation | Core Skills: The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Specialist Skills: The nominated occupation must be an ANZSCO occupation in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 and meet the stream salary threshold. Labour Agreement: The occupation must be specified in the Labour Agreement. |
| Caveats / occupation restrictions | Some occupations may have caveats (restrictions based on factors like business type, location, tasks, etc.). A nomination can be refused even if the occupation appears eligible, if a caveat is not met. |
| Labour Market Testing (LMT) | Sponsors generally must complete LMT and retain evidence showing they could not find a suitably skilled Australian citizen or permanent resident (unless an exemption applies or the Labour Agreement sets alternative recruitment requirements). |
| Salary threshold + Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) | The nominee must be paid at least the AMSR for the role and meet the relevant income threshold for the stream. In practice, sponsors should ensure the guaranteed annual earnings meet whichever is higher: the market rate or the stream threshold. |
| Stream income thresholds (indexation note) | Skilled visa income thresholds are indexed annually (typically from 1 July). For nominations lodged from 1 July 2025, commonly referenced thresholds are CSIT: AUD 76,515 and SSIT: AUD 141,210. |
| Equivalent terms and conditions | Employment conditions must be no less favourable than those for an Australian worker performing equivalent work at the same location (pay, hours, leave, and other conditions). |
| Genuine position | The role must be genuine, align with the nominated occupation skill level/tasks, and make sense for the sponsor’s business activities and scale. It must not be created primarily to facilitate a visa outcome. |
| Full-time role | The nominated role must be full-time (generally around 38 hours per week, or an award/agreement-based full-time arrangement consistent with National Employment Standards). |
| Written contract of employment | The nominee must be engaged under a written employment contract, consistent with sponsorship settings and stream requirements (and any limited exemptions that may apply to occupations/arrangements). |
| Work limited to sponsor (and permitted entities) | The nominee is generally expected to work only for the sponsoring business (and, where permitted, an associated entity). Labour Agreement arrangements must follow the agreement’s specific terms. |
| Non-discriminatory recruitment | Sponsors must not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices and should be able to demonstrate fair hiring processes and record-keeping if concerns are raised. |
| No adverse information | There must be no adverse information about the sponsor or associated persons (or it must be reasonable for the Department to disregard it). |
| Labour Agreement compliance (stream-specific) | Labour Agreement stream only: The nomination must comply with the agreement’s requirements (occupations, locations, salary settings/concessions, numbers/caps, recruitment steps, and any reporting/monitoring obligations). |
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
Applying for the 482 Nomination can feel complicated, but Knowbal is here to support you at every stage. Here’s how we simplify the application process
Initial Consultation
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Assigning an Expert Agent
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Document Preparation
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
Submitting the Application
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Ongoing Updates
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
FAQs
Generally, no. Australian business sponsors must engage the nominee as an employee under a written contract of employment. This contract must be signed by both the employer and the nominee. A contract to provide services (where the worker has an ABN) does not satisfy this requirement
The SAF levy is a mandatory nomination training contribution charge that must be paid in full when you lodge the nomination. The amount is calculated based on your business’s annual turnover and the proposed period of stay for the visa. There are almost no exemptions from this levy
Generally, positions must be full-time (at least 38 hours/week or consistent with the National Employment Standards). Part-time positions are acceptable only in limited circumstances, such as for highly specialised medical practitioners or senior academics with fractional appointments.
You must have advertised the position within the four months immediately before lodging the nomination. The advertisements must:
- Be in English.
- Run for at least four weeks.
- Appear in at least two advertisements with national reach (e.g., a prominent recruitment website like LinkedIn or a national newspaper).
- Include the position title, skills required, and the name of the sponsor (or their recruitment agency).
The Department assesses whether the position actually exists and aligns with the business’s activities. You cannot create a position solely to secure a visa for someone (e.g., a family member). The tasks of the position must substantially align with the ANZSCO occupation code you have nominated.
You must meet two main salary requirements:
- Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR): You must pay the nominee at least what an equivalent Australian worker earns (or would earn) for the same work in the same location. You cannot undercut the local labour market.
- Income Threshold: The salary must meet the threshold for the specific stream (AUD 76,515 for Core Skills or AUD 141,210 for Specialist Skills)
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