482 Visa Requirements
Full eligibility criteria for employers and workers under the 482 Core Skills stream — sponsorship obligations, Labour Market Testing, salary thresholds, skills assessment, English, health, and character.
A note on visa guidance: RecruitUp Global is a recruitment agency, not a migration agent. All content on this site is for general educational purposes only. For immigration advice or to lodge a visa application, consult a MARA-registered migration agent. RecruitUp specialises in finding and placing qualified South African tradespeople with Australian employers who are ready to sponsor — we handle the recruitment side, not the visa lodgement.
The Three-Stage Structure of the 482 Visa
Requirements exist at each stage. All three must succeed for a visa to be granted.
Sponsorship
The employer applies to become an Approved Standard Business Sponsor. Assessed on business legitimacy and sponsor obligations.
Nomination
The employer nominates a specific position and worker. Assessed on job genuineness, LMT compliance, and salary requirements.
Visa Application
The overseas worker applies for the visa. Assessed on qualifications, English, health, and character.
Employer Requirements
What the sponsoring employer must demonstrate before a worker can be nominated.
Business Legitimacy
The employer must demonstrate the business is lawfully operating in Australia — providing evidence of ABN registration, genuine business activity (financial records, contracts, tax returns), and that the entity is not a shell created solely for visa purposes.
Genuine Need for the Position
The nominated position must genuinely exist within the business, be consistent with the employer's operations, and be unable to be filled by an available Australian worker — demonstrated through Labour Market Testing.
Labour Market Testing (LMT)
The employer must advertise the role in Australia on at least two approved channels (e.g. SEEK and LinkedIn) for a minimum of 28 days. LMT must be completed within 4 months before the nomination is lodged. This is one of the most documentation-intensive parts of the process.
Salary — TSMIT and Market Rate
The salary must satisfy two conditions simultaneously: it must meet or exceed the TSMIT ($73,150 p.a. for 2024–25) AND the applicable market salary rate for the same occupation, location, and conditions. The higher of the two applies.
Ongoing Sponsor Obligations
Not transfer sponsorship or nomination costs to the worker
Pay the Skills and Training (SAF) levy
Employ the worker in the nominated occupation and location
Notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes (e.g. worker leaving)
Cooperate with any Department of Home Affairs inspections
Maintain accurate records of employment
These obligations carry civil and criminal penalties if breached.
Worker Eligibility Requirements
What the overseas worker must satisfy once the nomination is approved and the visa application is lodged.
Nominated Occupation
The worker's qualifications and experience must match the nominated occupation, which must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Each occupation is identified by its ANZSCO code.
Skills & Qualifications
The worker must demonstrate skills and qualifications — or equivalent work experience — for the nominated occupation. For trade occupations, this involves a formal skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
Work Experience
Typically at least 2 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation is required. This is verified through employment references, payslips, or statutory declarations.
English Language
Must meet minimum English proficiency standards via an accepted test (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1). Citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, and Ireland are exempt.
Health Requirements
A medical examination from an approved panel physician is required, including a chest X-ray for applicants aged 11+. Results are lodged through ImmiAccount.
Character Requirements
Police clearance certificates from every country where the applicant has lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years, including the country of citizenship.
No Outstanding Debts
The applicant must not have outstanding debts to the Australian government. Existing debts must be repaid or a formal repayment arrangement in place.
TRA Skills Assessment — South African Tradespeople
For South African tradespeople, the primary assessing authority is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). South Africa's QCTO artisan qualification system — particularly N2/N3 qualifications combined with trade test completion — is generally well-regarded in TRA assessments. However, the outcome depends on your specific qualifications and documented experience.
A TRA skills assessment outcome should be reviewed by a migration agent before relying on it for a visa application.
Requirements for Dependants
The primary applicant's partner and dependent children can generally be included in the 482 application as secondary applicants. They do not need to meet the occupation, skills, or English language requirements.
Secondary applicants must satisfy health and character requirements. Additional visa application charges apply for each secondary applicant included.
Secondary Applicant Requirements
How South African Tradespeople Typically Stack Up
Based on our experience placing South African tradespeople with Australian employers across multiple trades.
Occupation eligibility
Electricians, boilermakers, diesel mechanics, plumbers, welders are consistently on the CSOL
Trade qualifications
South African QCTO/artisan system generally well-regarded by TRA — N2/N3 + trade test typically aligns with Australian standards
Work experience
South African industry is safety-critical and documentation-intensive; employment references and records are usually obtainable
English language
English is the working language in SA trades — most candidates score comfortably above the 4.5–5.0 IELTS floor
Health & character
No country-specific issues; SAPS clearance timing is the main variable — apply early
Common Questions
What is Labour Market Testing and why is it required?
What is the TSMIT and how does it affect salary?
Does my South African trade certificate qualify?
Can dependants be included in a 482 application?
Related 482 Visa Guides
← Back to 482 Visa Hub482 Visa Processing Time
How long each stage takes in 2026 and what affects your timeline.
Read guide →482 Visa Fees & Costs
Full breakdown of SAF levy, nomination charges, and visa application fees.
Read guide →482 Occupation List (Trades)
Which skilled trades appear on the CSOL and their ANZSCO codes.
Read guide →482 Visa to Permanent Residency
How the 482 leads to the 186 ENS and permanent residency.
Read guide →English Language Requirements
Accepted tests, minimum scores, and exemptions for South African applicants.
Read guide →482 Visa Hub
The complete overview of Australia's Skills in Demand visa.
Read guide →