RecruitUp Global is a recruitment agency, not a migration agent. Genine and the RecruitUp team specialise in connecting skilled candidates with Australian employers who can sponsor them — they do not provide visa or immigration advice. For migration matters, RecruitUp works alongside registered MARA migration agents.
The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa has requirements on two sides: the employer who wants to sponsor, and the worker being nominated. Both must satisfy their respective criteria before a visa can be granted — and understanding what each party needs to demonstrate is essential before beginning the process.
This page sets out the general eligibility requirements for the 482 Core Skills stream, which covers the majority of skilled trade occupations. For the full overview of how the 482 visa works, see our 482 Visa Australia — Complete Guide.
Important: This guide is for general educational purposes only. Requirements are assessed individually by the Department of Home Affairs, and they change. For advice on whether you or a specific worker meets the requirements, consult a registered migration agent. RecruitUp Global handles the recruitment side — finding and placing qualified candidates — not visa lodgement.
Before getting into specific requirements, it helps to understand how the 482 process is structured — because requirements exist at each stage.
The 482 visa Australia requires three separate applications, each with its own criteria:
Each stage must succeed for the process to proceed. A worker can meet all visa criteria perfectly but still be blocked if the employer’s nomination does not satisfy Stage 2 requirements — and vice versa.
The employer initiates the 482 process by applying for Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) status. The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether the business is legitimate and capable of meeting sponsor obligations.
The employer must demonstrate that the business is lawfully operating in Australia. This typically means providing evidence of ABN registration, business activity (such as recent financial records, contracts, or tax returns), and that the business is genuinely operating — not a shell entity set up solely to obtain visas.
The employer must demonstrate that the nominated position is genuine — meaning the role actually exists in the business, is consistent with the employer’s operations, and cannot reasonably be filled by an available Australian worker. This is assessed at the nomination stage through Labour Market Testing.
For Core Skills stream nominations, Labour Market Testing is generally required. The employer must advertise the role in Australia and demonstrate that no suitably qualified and available Australian citizen or permanent resident applied for — or could fill — the position.
LMT requirements specify minimum advertising channels (usually two), minimum advertisement duration (28 days), and a recency requirement (LMT must generally be completed within the 4 months before the nomination is lodged). Job advertisement platforms such as Seek and LinkedIn are commonly used.
LMT is one of the most documentation-intensive parts of the 482 process for employers. A migration agent or HR specialist can guide on compliance.
The nominated salary must satisfy two conditions simultaneously:
Employers who pay less than the higher of these two figures will have their nomination refused.
Once approved, the sponsoring employer takes on ongoing obligations, including:
These obligations remain for the duration of the visa and carry civil and criminal penalties if breached.
Once the nomination is approved, the overseas worker applies for the visa itself. The following requirements apply to the Core Skills stream.
The worker’s qualifications and experience must match the nominated occupation, which must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The CSOL is maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and uses ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) codes to define occupations.
Skilled trades that are currently on the CSOL include electricians (ANZSCO 341111), plumbers (334111), boilermakers (322211), diesel mechanics (321212), welders (322313), carpenters (331111), and refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics (342111), among others.
For a trades-focused breakdown of the occupation list: 482 Visa Occupation List for Trades
The worker must demonstrate they have the skills and qualifications — or equivalent work experience — required for the nominated occupation. For many trade occupations, this involves a formal skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
For trade occupations, the primary assessing authority in Australia is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), administered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. TRA assesses whether overseas trade qualifications and experience are comparable to Australian standards for the relevant ANZSCO code.
For South African tradespeople: South Africa’s QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) and the artisan qualification system are generally well-regarded in the TRA assessment process. Many South African trades certificates — particularly N2/N3 qualifications combined with trade test completion — align with Australian requirements, though the outcome depends on the individual’s specific qualifications and documented experience.
A skills assessment outcome is not a guarantee of visa approval — it is one requirement among several. TRA assessment outcomes should be reviewed by a migration agent before relying on them.
In addition to (or instead of) formal qualifications, the worker typically needs to demonstrate at least 2 years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation. This is verified through employment references, payslips, or statutory declarations. The specific experience requirement can vary by occupation and individual circumstances.
The Core Skills stream requires the applicant to meet minimum English language proficiency standards. Proficiency can be demonstrated through:
Exemptions apply to citizens of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland — who are generally exempt from the English language requirement.
For South African applicants: South Africa is not on the automatic exemption list. However, many South African tradespeople who completed their qualifications in English (as is typical in South African trade and technical training) can demonstrate proficiency through test results. A migration agent can advise on whether any other exemption pathways apply.
For the full breakdown of accepted tests, score requirements, and exemptions: 482 Visa English Language Requirements
The worker (and any family members included in the application) must satisfy Australia’s standard health requirements. This typically involves:
Health requirements are assessed by the Department of Home Affairs using the health examination results. Certain health conditions may affect the outcome — a migration agent can advise on how specific conditions are treated in practice.
The worker must satisfy Australia’s character requirements, which are assessed under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958. This includes:
South African applicants will typically require a South African Police Service (SAPS) police clearance certificate as part of the application.
The applicant must not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government (for example, from previous visa applications or overstayed visas). Existing debts must be repaid or a formal repayment arrangement must be in place.
The primary applicant’s partner and dependent children can generally be included in a 482 visa application as secondary applicants. They do not need to meet the occupation or skills requirements — but they do need to satisfy health and character requirements. The primary applicant’s English language requirement does not extend to dependants.
Secondary applicant visa charges apply — see 482 Visa Fees and Costs.
Our team has placed South African tradespeople with Australian employers across multiple trades. Based on that experience, here is a straightforward picture of where South Africans typically stand against the 482 requirements:
The single most common reason South African candidates face delays is documentation — not eligibility. Incomplete skills assessments, out-of-date police clearances, and undocumented work history are the practical bottlenecks. Candidates who work with a migration agent and start preparing their documents before the employer nominates them are typically placed faster.
RecruitUp does not assess visa eligibility — that is the migration agent’s job. What we do is source and vet candidates whose background, trade qualifications, and experience make them realistic contenders for 482 sponsorship before we present them to employers.
That means we work with candidates to understand their qualification history, trade test records, and English proficiency before matching them with a role. An employer who receives a RecruitUp candidate has already had the fundamentals checked against the common requirements — reducing wasted time on placements that will not proceed.
For employers: If you’re trying to identify candidates who can realistically be sponsored on a 482 visa, talk to our team.
For tradespeople: If you’re a South African tradesperson and want to understand whether your qualifications make you a viable 482 candidate, register your interest and we’ll walk you through what we typically look for.
At a minimum, a 482 Core Skills visa requires: the employer to be an approved Standard Business Sponsor; the nominated occupation to be on the CSOL; the salary to meet TSMIT ($73,150 p.a.) and the market rate; the worker to hold relevant skills and experience; the worker to meet English language proficiency requirements; and the worker to pass health and character checks. The full requirements are assessed by the Department of Home Affairs case by case.
Yes. The TSMIT is reviewed annually, the CSOL is updated periodically, fee schedules change, and policy settings (such as LMT requirements) are adjusted by government from time to time. Always verify current requirements at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or with a registered migration agent before planning around specific figures.
Not always — but it is typically required for trade occupations. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the assessing body for most skilled trades. Whether a skills assessment is mandatory and which pathway applies depends on the specific ANZSCO code and the applicant’s qualifications. A migration agent will confirm what is required for a specific case.
Yes. Meeting the stated requirements does not guarantee approval — the Department of Home Affairs has discretion to refuse applications, and case officers can request additional evidence or raise concerns not initially apparent from the application. This is another reason a registered migration agent adds value to the process.
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