AUD150,000 Australia Skills in Demand Visa Jobs in 2026: Subclass 482 Sponsorship, Requirements and Costs

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Australia continues to recruit qualified foreign professionals to address shortages in technology, engineering, healthcare, construction, mining, finance and other important industries. One of the principal employer-sponsored pathways is the Skills in Demand visa, also known as the Subclass 482 visa.

Some sponsored jobs can pay AUD150,000 per year or more. This salary level is particularly realistic for ICT managers, engineering managers, specialist doctors, mining engineers, petroleum engineers, senior cloud architects, cybersecurity professionals and experienced technical leaders.

However, AUD150,000 is not a guaranteed salary for every Subclass 482 applicant. Many eligible occupations pay considerably less. Salary depends on the occupation, experience level, employer, location, market conditions and the applicable immigration threshold.

The AUD150,000 headline is especially relevant to the Specialist Skills stream. From 1 July 2026, its minimum income threshold is AUD146,576. A genuine position paying AUD150,000 may therefore qualify for this stream when its occupation falls within an eligible ANZSCO major group and all other requirements are satisfied.

This guide explains the best AUD150,000 Skills in Demand visa jobs, current Subclass 482 requirements, application fees, employer sponsorship costs, salary rules and potential pathways to Australian permanent residence.

What Is the Australia Skills in Demand Visa?

The Skills in Demand visa is a temporary employer-sponsored work visa. It allows an approved Australian employer to recruit an appropriately qualified foreign worker when the business cannot find a suitably skilled Australian worker for the position.

The visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024. Both visas use the Subclass 482 number, but new applications are assessed under the Skills in Demand framework rather than the former TSS short-term and medium-term streams.

A successful applicant can generally:

Work in Australia for the sponsoring employer;
Remain for up to four years;
Include an eligible spouse or partner and dependent children;
Travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid; and
Potentially transition to permanent residence through an eligible employer-sponsored pathway.

Hong Kong passport holders may receive a stay of up to five years. The standard Subclass 482 application fee currently starts from AUD4,015.

Subclass 482 Streams

The Skills in Demand visa has three main streams:

Specialist Skills stream;
Core Skills stream; and
Labour Agreement stream.

The correct stream depends primarily on the occupation, salary and employer arrangement.

Specialist Skills Stream

The Specialist Skills stream targets highly paid professionals who can contribute specialist knowledge, innovation and leadership to the Australian economy.

From 1 July 2026, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is:

AUD146,576 per year

The nominated salary must meet or exceed this amount and satisfy Australia’s Annual Market Salary Rate requirements. The employer must not pay the foreign worker less than an equivalent Australian employee performing the same job.

The occupation must be classified within ANZSCO Major Groups:

1: Managers;
2: Professionals;
4: Community and Personal Service Workers;
5: Clerical and Administrative Workers; or
6: Sales Workers.

Trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers cannot generally use the Specialist Skills stream simply because an employer offers them a high salary.

An applicant earning AUD150,000 is only slightly above the current Specialist Skills threshold. The employer must therefore ensure that the guaranteed annual earnings genuinely meet the requirement after excluding non-monetary benefits that cannot be counted.

Core Skills Stream

The Core Skills stream is the main route for most Subclass 482 workers.

The applicant’s occupation must usually appear on the Core Skills Occupation List. The current CSOL contains 456 occupations across management, technology, healthcare, engineering, education, construction, skilled trades, agriculture, hospitality and professional services.

From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is:

AUD79,423 per year

The employer must normally pay at least the higher of:

AUD79,423; or
The Annual Market Salary Rate for the position.

If Australian employees doing equivalent work are paid AUD110,000, an employer cannot offer a sponsored worker only AUD79,423. The market salary, not merely the immigration threshold, would normally need to be met.

An occupation can therefore qualify under the Core Skills stream even when the salary exceeds AUD150,000. The Specialist Skills stream may not always be available or preferable, especially when the occupation falls outside its permitted ANZSCO major groups.

Labour Agreement Stream

The Labour Agreement stream is available when an employer has negotiated an agreement with the Australian Government.

Labour agreements may be used where standard immigration programs do not adequately address an industry, regional or company-specific workforce shortage. They can contain special arrangements relating to:

Eligible occupations;
Salary thresholds;
English requirements;
Qualifications;
Age concessions;
Work experience; and
Permanent-residence pathways.

Industry labour agreements currently operate in sectors such as aged care, meat processing and horticulture. The requirements depend on the exact agreement and should not be assumed from the standard Core Skills rules.

Can Subclass 482 Jobs Really Pay AUD150,000?

Yes. Official Australian labour-market data show that several relevant occupations have median earnings around or above AUD150,000 when weekly earnings are annualised.

For example:

Occupation group	Median weekly earnings	Approximate annual equivalent
Specialist physicians	AUD3,620	AUD188,240
Engineering managers	AUD3,519	AUD182,988
Mining engineers	AUD3,518	AUD182,936
ICT managers	AUD3,310	AUD172,120
Software and applications programmers	AUD2,537	AUD131,924

The annual figures are simple weekly-to-annual illustrations and do not represent guaranteed salaries. Actual earnings can include different hours, bonuses, allowances and employment arrangements.

A worker can earn more or less than the occupation’s median. Seniority, location, specialist expertise and industry demand can substantially affect compensation.

Best AUD150,000 Technology Jobs

1. ICT Manager

ICT managers plan, direct and coordinate an organisation’s technology operations.

Possible job titles include:

Chief information officer;
ICT project manager;
IT director;
Technology operations manager;
Infrastructure manager;
Cybersecurity manager;
Software engineering manager; and
Digital transformation manager.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of AUD3,310 per week for ICT managers, equivalent to roughly AUD172,000 over 52 weeks.

The Core Skills Occupation List includes Chief Information Officer, ICT Project Manager and other ICT manager classifications.

Employers may seek candidates with expertise in:

Cloud infrastructure;
Enterprise software;
Cybersecurity;
Artificial intelligence;
Data governance;
IT-service management;
Large-scale digital transformation; and
Technology-team leadership.

Management experience is critical. A candidate with only entry-level technical experience is unlikely to qualify for a genuine AUD150,000 ICT management position.

2. Senior Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, test and maintain applications and computer systems.

The broad Software and Applications Programmers group has median earnings of AUD2,537 per week, or roughly AUD132,000 annually. Senior software engineers, technical leads and specialists working in finance, cloud computing, artificial intelligence or cybersecurity may earn above the broad median.

The CSOL includes:

Software Engineer;
Developer Programmer;
Analyst Programmer;
DevOps Engineer;
Cyber Security Engineer;
Penetration Tester;
Cyber Security Analyst;
Cyber Security Architect; and
Computer Network and Systems Engineer.

Strong applicants may demonstrate:

Several years of commercial experience;
Advanced programming ability;
Cloud-platform expertise;
Software architecture;
System-design knowledge;
Leadership of technical projects; and
Measurable business or operational results.

3. Cloud Architect

Cloud architects design secure and scalable computing environments using platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Although “cloud architect” may not always appear as a standalone ANZSCO title, the position may align with an eligible ICT management, software engineering, systems analysis or network-engineering occupation depending on its actual duties.

The employer must select the occupation code according to the work performed—not simply choose the code with the most convenient salary or visa requirements.

4. Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity remains an important area for Australian employers facing digital threats, privacy obligations and security risks.

The CSOL includes multiple cybersecurity occupations, including:

Cyber Security Engineer;
Penetration Tester;
Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist;
Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist;
Cyber Security Analyst;
Cyber Security Architect; and
Cyber Security Operations Coordinator.

Senior security architects, managers and specialists may receive AUD150,000 or more, especially in banking, insurance, consulting, government contracting and critical infrastructure.

Best Engineering Jobs Paying AUD150,000

1. Engineering Manager

Engineering managers coordinate technical teams, budgets, safety standards, project schedules and engineering operations.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings of AUD3,519, equivalent to approximately AUD183,000 annually.

The CSOL includes Engineering Manager as well as numerous individual engineering occupations.

An engineering manager may work in:

Construction;
Manufacturing;
Energy;
Mining;
Transportation;
Infrastructure;
Water;
Aerospace; or
Professional consulting.

These positions normally require substantial technical and leadership experience. Employers may also prefer chartered status, professional registration or experience managing major projects.

2. Mining Engineer

Mining engineers plan and direct the technical aspects of extracting minerals, petroleum and natural gas.

The broad occupation group has median weekly earnings of AUD3,518, equivalent to approximately AUD183,000 annually.

The CSOL includes both:

Mining Engineer, excluding petroleum; and
Petroleum Engineer.

Higher salaries may be available in Western Australia, Queensland and remote mining locations. However, remuneration can reflect long hours, fly-in fly-out schedules, remote working conditions and specialist safety responsibilities.

3. Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers work on oil and gas exploration, drilling, reservoir analysis, production and project economics.

The occupation is eligible on the CSOL. A genuine position may fall under either the Core Skills or Specialist Skills stream depending on its salary and classification.

Strong candidates may have experience in:

Reservoir engineering;
Drilling;
Production optimisation;
Offshore operations;
Well integrity;
Risk management; and
Energy-project economics.

4. Construction Project Manager

Construction project managers plan and supervise major building and infrastructure projects.

Construction Project Manager is included on the Core Skills Occupation List.

AUD150,000 may be realistic for professionals managing major commercial, industrial, energy or civil-infrastructure projects. Employers may expect experience with:

Large project budgets;
Contractor management;
Australian building standards;
Health and safety;
Procurement;
Scheduling;
Cost control; and
Contract administration.

Healthcare Jobs That Can Pay AUD150,000

Specialist Physician

Specialist physicians diagnose and treat complex medical conditions. The occupation group includes cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists, paediatricians, endocrinologists and other specialists.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings of AUD3,620, equivalent to approximately AUD188,000 annually.

The CSOL contains a broad range of medical occupations, including:

General Practitioner;
Anaesthetist;
Cardiologist;
Medical Oncologist;
Intensive Care Specialist;
Neurologist;
Psychiatrist;
Surgeon;
Emergency Medicine Specialist;
Radiologist; and
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.

Foreign-trained doctors must have their qualifications recognised and obtain the appropriate Australian professional registration. Visa approval does not replace medical licensing.

Medical Administrator

Medical administrators and clinical directors can earn high salaries where they manage hospitals, departments, clinical governance and healthcare teams.

The CSOL includes:

Medical Administrator or Medical Superintendent;
Nursing Clinical Director; and
Primary Health Organisation Manager.

These positions generally require significant healthcare leadership experience in addition to the relevant professional or management qualifications.

Registered Nurses

Many registered-nurse classifications appear on the Core Skills Occupation List. However, ordinary nursing salaries do not automatically reach AUD150,000. Higher earnings may be available in senior management, remote practice, intensive-care leadership, specialised clinical work or roles involving significant overtime and allowances.

The salary advertised must be genuine and consistent with the actual employment conditions. Employers cannot inflate a salary on migration paperwork and pay a lower amount after the worker arrives.

Finance and Professional Services

The Core Skills Occupation List also includes professional positions such as:

Finance Manager;
Accountant;
Management Accountant;
Taxation Accountant;
External Auditor;
Internal Auditor;
Actuary;
Data Scientist;
Management Consultant;
Financial Investment Adviser;
Solicitor; and
Intellectual Property Lawyer.

AUD150,000 salaries are most realistic in leadership, specialist advisory, financial-services, legal or consulting positions. Entry-level accountants, analysts and consultants should not expect the headline salary merely because their occupation appears on the CSOL.

Main Applicant Requirements

A Genuine Job Offer

You must be nominated for a skilled position by an approved Australian sponsor.

The employer must have a genuine vacancy and a legitimate business need for the role. The position should not be created only to obtain a visa for a particular individual.

At Least One Year of Relevant Experience

A primary applicant generally needs at least one year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.

Applicants must also demonstrate that they possess the skills and qualifications required to perform the job. Some occupations require a formal skills assessment, while others can be supported with employment references, qualifications, payslips and professional-registration documents.

Evidence may include:

Detailed employer references;
Employment contracts;
Payslips;
Bank statements;
Tax records;
Professional licences;
Academic certificates; and
Skills-assessment results.

A generic reference confirming only the applicant’s job title may not adequately prove the claimed duties or experience.

English-Language Requirement

Primary Subclass 482 applicants must normally demonstrate the required level of English through an approved test unless an exemption applies.

Accepted test arrangements and score conversions changed in August 2025. Applicants should therefore use the score table applicable to the date on which the examination was taken.

The immigration English requirement is separate from any higher standard required by a professional regulator. Doctors, nurses and other licensed professionals may face additional language requirements.

Skills Assessment and Professional Registration

A skills assessment is mandatory for selected occupations and applicant circumstances. Other candidates may qualify for an exemption but must still provide evidence that they have the skills to perform the work.

Regulated professionals may also need registration from an Australian authority.

Examples include:

Medical practitioners;
Nurses;
Teachers;
Electricians;
Plumbers;
Pharmacists;
Physiotherapists; and
Certain engineering professionals.

Applicants should begin professional-recognition processes early because they can take longer than expected.

Health and Character Requirements

Applicants and accompanying family members must satisfy Australia’s health and character requirements.

This may involve:

Immigration medical examinations;
Chest X-rays;
Police certificates;
Identity records;
Military documents; and
Additional background checks.

Subclass 482 holders are generally required to maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia. Many temporary residents are not automatically eligible for Medicare and can be personally responsible for hospital and medical costs.

Is There an Age Limit?

There is no general maximum age limit for the Skills in Demand Subclass 482 visa.

However, age can become important when planning permanent residence. The Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 generally applies an age requirement unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption or concession.

A worker over 45 should not assume that obtaining a temporary Subclass 482 visa will automatically create a future permanent-residence pathway.

Employer Salary Requirements

For a nominated salary below AUD250,000, the employer must generally establish that:

The Annual Market Salary Rate was determined correctly;
The worker will not be paid less than an equivalent Australian employee; and
The pay is at least the applicable immigration income threshold.

Home Affairs states that a nomination can be refused where the foreign worker will be paid less than the equivalent Australian worker.

The employer should maintain evidence such as:

Australian employee salaries;
Enterprise agreements;
Industrial awards;
Recruitment advertisements;
Industry salary surveys; and
Written market-remuneration analysis.

Non-monetary benefits may not necessarily count toward the required guaranteed annual earnings.

Subclass 482 Visa Fees in 2026

The primary Subclass 482 application charge currently starts from:

AUD4,015

The same starting cost applies across the Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams, although concessions apply in limited circumstances.

Other applicant expenses may include:

English testing;
Skills assessment;
Medical examination;
Police certificates;
Document translation;
Biometrics;
Health insurance;
Professional registration;
Migration-agent fees;
Flights; and
Relocation expenses.

Additional government charges apply for accompanying family members. Applicants should use the official Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before lodging because fees can change and individual circumstances can affect the total.

Employer Sponsorship Costs

Employer expenses can include:

Standard Business Sponsorship application;
Nomination fee;
Skilling Australians Fund levy;
Recruitment advertising;
Legal or migration assistance; and
Internal compliance costs.

Home Affairs lists AUD420 for becoming an approved sponsor and AUD330 for nominating a Subclass 482 applicant. The SAF levy can reach AUD7,200 for a four-year nomination, depending on business turnover.

The levy is generally calculated according to:

Employer turnover; and
Length of the proposed sponsorship.

These sponsorship and nomination expenses are employer costs. A sponsor must not require the worker to repay prohibited recruitment or sponsorship charges. Fair Work guidance states that employers must not make sponsored workers pay costs connected with recruitment or the business becoming or remaining an approved sponsor.

Processing Times

Home Affairs reported a median processing time of approximately 70 days for the broad Skilled Temporary visa category in May 2026.

This is not a guaranteed Subclass 482 decision time. The timeline can be longer or shorter according to:

Visa stream;
Occupation;
Processing priorities;
Employer status;
Applicant location;
Completeness;
Health checks;
Character checks; and
Requests for additional information.

Submitting the nomination and visa application together with complete supporting evidence can help prevent avoidable delays.

Changing Employers

A Subclass 482 visa is normally linked to the nominated occupation and sponsoring employer.

When sponsored employment ends, the worker may have up to 180 consecutive days to find another sponsor, apply for another visa or arrange to leave Australia. The applicable visa conditions must still be checked carefully.

A new employer may need to submit a fresh nomination before the worker can legally continue under the new arrangement.

Workers should obtain advice before resigning, particularly where their visa expiration date is approaching or a permanent-residence application is being planned.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

The Subclass 482 is temporary, but it may lead to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186.

Under the Temporary Residence Transition stream, qualifying sponsored workers may be nominated by an eligible employer after completing the required period of sponsored employment.

Current reforms allow Skills in Demand visa holders from any stream to be considered for the TRT pathway, and eligible full-time sponsored employment can count toward the two-year work requirement.

The worker must still meet the requirements in force when applying, including:

Employer nomination;
Age or exemption;
Salary;
English;
Health;
Character; and
Required employment history.

A Subclass 482 grant does not guarantee that the employer will later sponsor permanent residence.

How to Find Genuine AUD150,000 Sponsorship Jobs

Target Employers With Real Skills Shortages

Focus on industries where specialist expertise is difficult to recruit locally, including:

Mining;
Energy;
Cloud computing;
Cybersecurity;
Artificial intelligence;
Healthcare;
Infrastructure;
Major construction;
Financial services; and
Engineering consulting.

Search by Occupation and Visa

Useful searches include:

“ICT manager 482 visa sponsorship Australia”;
“mining engineer visa sponsorship Australia”;
“specialist doctor Subclass 482”;
“engineering manager sponsorship Australia”;
“cybersecurity architect visa sponsorship”;
“petroleum engineer Australia sponsorship”; and
“AUD150,000 employer-sponsored jobs Australia.”

Build a Specialist CV

Your CV should clearly show:

Technical skills;
Employment dates;
Detailed responsibilities;
Team sizes;
Project budgets;
Professional licences;
Measurable achievements;
Relevant technologies; and
Leadership experience.

For a AUD150,000 job, the employer will normally expect evidence of substantial value rather than only a list of ordinary job duties.

Verify the Employer

Check:

Australian Business Number;
Company registration;
Official website;
Physical business address;
Recruiter’s email domain;
Employment contract;
Salary;
Occupation code; and
Sponsor arrangements.

Sponsorship Scams to Avoid

Be cautious when an employer, recruiter or agent:

Sells an Australian sponsorship;
Guarantees a Subclass 482 visa;
Demands payment for the SAF levy;
Requests money for a Certificate of Sponsorship;
Offers AUD150,000 without a professional interview;
Asks for fake work-experience documents;
Uses only WhatsApp or Telegram;
Requests payment into a personal account;
Refuses to disclose the employer’s legal identity; or
Plans to pay less than the salary stated in the contract.

Australian authorities state that paying for visa sponsorship arrangements is unacceptable, and criminal or civil penalties can apply where a benefit is requested or provided in exchange for sponsorship.

Visa holders also have the same basic workplace protections as other Australian employees. Their immigration status does not remove rights relating to minimum pay, leave, payslips and lawful working conditions.

Final Verdict

AUD150,000 Subclass 482 sponsorship opportunities are real, but they are mainly available to experienced professionals in high-value or specialist roles.

The strongest opportunities include:

ICT managers;
Engineering managers;
Specialist physicians;
Mining and petroleum engineers;
Senior software engineers;
Cybersecurity architects;
Cloud specialists;
Construction project leaders; and
Senior finance or professional-services managers.

From 1 July 2026, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is AUD146,576. The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD79,423. Every sponsored worker must also receive at least the appropriate market salary for the position.

Applicants normally need:

A genuine employer nomination;
At least one year of relevant work experience;
Suitable skills and qualifications;
Required English ability;
Health insurance;
Health and character clearance; and
Professional registration where applicable.

The visa application fee starts from AUD4,015, while the employer must budget separately for sponsorship, nomination and the Skilling Australians Fund levy.

The best strategy is to develop specialised expertise, target verified employers and ensure that the salary, duties and occupation code accurately reflect the real job.

No legitimate recruiter can guarantee sponsorship or sell a visa. A strong Subclass 482 case is based on a genuine business vacancy, lawful compensation and verifiable professional qualifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn AUD150,000 on a Subclass 482 visa?

Yes. ICT managers, specialist doctors, engineering managers, mining engineers and other senior professionals may earn AUD150,000 or more.

Is AUD150,000 the minimum salary?

No. The Core Skills threshold is AUD79,423. The Specialist Skills threshold is AUD146,576 for nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.

Do I need a job offer?

Yes. You must generally be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a genuine skilled position.

How much experience is required?

Most primary applicants need at least one year of relevant experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.

Is there an age limit?

There is no general maximum age for the Subclass 482 visa. Age restrictions can apply to later permanent-residence pathways.

How much does the 482 visa cost?

The main applicant’s visa application charge currently starts from AUD4,015. Medical, police, English, skills-assessment and family expenses are additional.

Can my employer make me pay sponsorship costs?

Employers must not pass prohibited sponsorship, recruitment or sponsor-approval expenses to the worker.

How long is the visa valid?

Most Skills in Demand visas can be granted for up to four years. Hong Kong passport holders may qualify for up to five years.

Can I bring my family?

An eligible spouse or partner and dependent children can generally be included, subject to separate fees and individual eligibility requirements.

Does Subclass 482 lead to permanent residence?

It can. Eligible workers may later qualify through Subclass 186 or another pathway, but permanent residence is not automatic.

This article provides general educational information and does not create a migration-agent-client or lawyer-client relationship. Immigration thresholds, visa fees and occupation rules may change. Confirm current requirements with official Australian government sources before applying.