Skills In Demand (SID) Visa
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa to provide more flexibility to skilled workers and employers.
All pathways of the Skills In Demand (SID) visa have a clear pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
The visa is designed to address Australia’s labour market needs and skill shortages across a broad range of industries and sectors.
The Skills In Demand Visa is broken down into the following three pathways:
Key Features of the Skills In Demand Visa
All visa holders can be granted a visa for up to four years.
The government has introduced a public register of approved business sponsors which can assist visa holders and other individuals in finding a suitable sponsor.
Visa holders will have the ability to change sponsors and are afforded with 180 days to change sponsors without being in breach of their visa conditions.
All visa holders, in all three pathways, will have a clear pathway to permanent residency, and all time spent with an approved sponsor will count towards the permanent residency requirements. This avoids ‘resetting’ the time period if visa holders are to change sponsors.
Three Pathways under the Skills In Demand (SID) Visa
Specialist Skills Pathway (SSP)
This Specialist Skills Pathway (SSP) is for highly skilled migrants that will be earning at least $135,000 or more annually and are provided with priority processing of 7 days.
This pathway is all occupations with the exception of trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers.
Core Skills Pathway (CSP)
The Core Skills Pathway (CSP) is available for a wider range of occupations which will include registered nurses, trades workers and certain machinery operators.
Occupations eligible to be sponsored under this pathway must be on the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Individuals sponsored under this pathway will need to meet the Core Skilled Threshold (CST) salary requirement which will be indexed annually and is currently $73,150.00
Processing times for this visa are targeted at a median of 21 days.
Essential Skills Pathway (ESP)
The Essential Skills Pathway (ESP) will be available to lower-paid skilled workers to address the skill shortages faced across a range of particular industries and in particular the care and support economy.
This pathway will be available to individuals who will earn an annual salary under the Core Skilled Threshold (CST).
Eligibility Requirements for the Skills In Demand Visa
Sponsor
The sponsoring employer will need to provide evidence that they have experienced difficulty in recruiting the nominated position in the local labour market. Exemptions to this apply if an international trade obligation applies.
Depending on the pathway that is being applied for under the SID visa, individuals will need to be paid at least the Core Skills Threshold (CST) and equivalent to the Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
Applicant
The work experience requirements have yet to be announced, however it is likely that individuals will need at least 12 months of relevant work experience in the occupation they are being sponsored in.
Visa applicants will need to provide police clearances for every country they have spent more than 12 months in, over the last 10 years.
The details in relation to the English ability requirements have not yet been released.
Skills In Demand Visa – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Skills In Demand (SID) visa can be granted for a period of up to four years.
Holders of Skills In Demand (SID) visas will have the ability to move between sponsors and have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor.
If you are the holder of a Skills In Demand or TSS (subclass 482) visa, the Government will be releasing a public register of sponsors that may assist you in finding a new sponsor.
Yes, the SID visa will allow you to include your partner/spouse and your dependent children on your visa.
Yes, all pathways of the Skills In Demand Visa will enable a pathway to permanent residency after completing at least two years on the visa.
The cost for the temporary work visa in Australia will depend on which visa pathway you apply for.
Yes, you can change sponsors at any time however you must find a new sponsor within 180 days of ceasing employment with your current/former sponsor.
If your contact details have changed since you lodged your visa application, you can notify the Department of Home Affairs online through your Immi Account or through a paper Form 929.