Reviewed by Paula McGeown, Principal Lawyer · Updated
The short answer.
Sponsoring a worker on a Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) involves three employer charges and a visa application charge. The employer pays the standard business sponsorship fee ($420), the nomination fee ($330) and the Skilling Australians Fund levy ($1,200 or $1,800 for each year of the nominated period, depending on turnover). The visa application charge is $4,015 for the main applicant, plus a charge for each family member included. These figures apply to applications lodged from 1 July 2026.
Every government charge.
| Charge | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship | $420 | Employer (once every five years) |
| Nomination | $330 | Employer (each nomination) |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover under $10 million | $1,200 per year | Employer |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, turnover $10 million or more | $1,800 per year | Employer |
| Visa application, main applicant | $4,015 | Employer or worker |
| Each family member aged 18 or over | $4,015 | Employer or worker |
| Each child under 18 | $1,005 | Employer or worker |
The levy is paid upfront when the nomination is lodged and is calculated on the period nominated, up to four years. A sponsor must not recover the sponsorship, nomination or levy amounts, or its recruitment costs, from the worker. Doing so is a breach of sponsor obligations and can be an offence.
A worked example.
Take a four-year Core Skills nomination, where the worker brings a partner and one child.
| Charge | Turnover under $10m | Turnover $10m or more |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship | $420 | $420 |
| Nomination | $330 | $330 |
| Skilling Australians Fund (4 years) | $4,800 | $7,200 |
| Visa: worker, partner and child | $9,035 | $9,035 |
| Total government charges | $14,585 | $16,985 |
Health examinations, police certificates, any skills assessment or English test, translations and professional fees are additional. An existing approved sponsor does not pay the sponsorship fee again until its approval needs renewing.
The salary you must pay.
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is $79,423 (previously $76,515) and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is $146,576 (previously $141,210). Thresholds are indexed every 1 July.
The salary must also be at least the annual market salary rate: what an Australian worker in the same role and location would be paid. A package that relies on non-cash benefits should not be assumed to satisfy either measure. See salary and income thresholds.
How long it takes.
Sponsorship, nomination and visa applications can be lodged together. Home Affairs publishes these processing times (updated 29 September 2026):
| Stage | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship | 11 days | 57 days |
| Nomination | 64 days | 9 months |
| Visa · Specialist Skills | 37 days | 78 days |
| Visa · Core Skills | 4 months | 9 months |
| Visa · Labour Agreement | 5 months | 9 months |
Processing also follows the current ministerial direction on skilled visa priorities. Roles in priority sectors, such as healthcare, construction and teaching, are currently processed ahead of others. The most common cause of delay is an incomplete application, especially gaps in evidence of the worker’s experience, the genuineness of the role or the salary.
Planning for permanent residence.
Many employers use the 482 as the first step towards keeping a worker permanently. The Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is generally available after two years of sponsored employment. It has its own nomination fee ($540), a one-off levy and a visa charge of $6,140. Planning both stages at the outset avoids surprises. See 186 permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
Can the worker pay the 482 fees?
The worker can pay their own visa application charge. The employer must pay the sponsorship fee, the nomination fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy, and must not recover them, or its recruitment costs, from the worker.
Is the Skilling Australians Fund levy refundable?
Only in limited circumstances. Examples include where the visa is not granted for certain reasons, or where the worker leaves within the first 12 months, which can allow a partial refund of unused full years. Refunds must be applied for and the conditions are strict, so check eligibility before relying on one.
When do 482 fees change?
Visa application charges are usually indexed on 1 July each year. The figures in this guide apply to applications lodged from 1 July 2026. The charge is fixed when the application is lodged.
How much does an Inicio Legal 482 engagement cost?
Professional fees depend on whether the business is already a sponsor, the stream and the complexity of the role and candidate. We agree scope and a fixed fee before work begins. Book a sponsorship call.