Blog / Employer sponsored
How long does the 482 Skills in Demand visa take?
Short answer
As of 9 November 2026, Home Affairs decided 90% of 482 Skills in Demand visa applications within 9 months in the Core Skills stream and 3 months in the Specialist Skills stream. The employer’s nomination (90% within 9 months) and sponsorship approval (4 months) are decided separately.
Key facts
- Core Skills stream: 90% within 9 months, 50% within 6 months.
- Specialist Skills stream: 90% within 3 months, 50% within 59 days.
- Labour Agreement stream: 90% within 10 months.
- Nomination: 90% within 9 months. Standard business sponsorship: 90% within 4 months.
- Source: Home Affairs figures published 9 November 2026, for applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026.
Checked against Home Affairs every day. Last checked 11 November 2026.
Cite this page
AusVisaClock. “How long does the 482 Skills in Demand visa take?.” Updated 9 November 2026. https://ausvisaclock.com/blog/how-long-does-a-482-visa-take/
The figures come from the Department of Home Affairs. You may quote them with a link to this page.
482 processing times by stream
| Visa | 50% decided within | 75% | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|---|
| 482 Skills In Demand visa Specialist Skills | 59 days | 72 days | 3 months |
| 482 Skills In Demand visa Core Skills | 6 months | 8 months | 9 months |
| 482 Skills In Demand visa Labour Agreement | 6 months | 7 months | 10 months |
| 482 Skills In Demand visa Nomination | 36 days | 7 months | 9 months |
| 482 Skills In Demand visa Sponsorship | 15 days | 56 days | 4 months |
Three approvals, three clocks
A 482 needs an approved sponsor, an approved nomination for the position and the visa itself. Each has its own published processing time, and they can be lodged close together. The visa cannot be granted before the nomination is approved.