Core or Specialist Skills 482 visa: how to assess your proposed role

Use the occupation as your starting point

For Core Skills, check the occupation against the current Core Skills Occupation List and any applicable caveats. For Specialist Skills, check the permitted occupation groups and exclusions. Do not assume every highly paid trade or operational role qualifies for Specialist Skills.

Use the same classification consistently across the duty statement, contract and nomination. If two codes appear plausible, compare the work as a whole rather than selecting the code with the easiest pathway. A written explanation of the choice helps expose inconsistencies early.

Compare remuneration on the right basis

Home Affairs lists a Core Skills Income Threshold of $79,423 and Specialist Skills Income Threshold of $146,576 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. The applicable market salary assessment remains a separate consideration.

Ask for the breakdown of guaranteed earnings, superannuation and variable payments before relying on a headline package. The relevant nomination date matters when thresholds change. A package quoted in an old employment offer should be checked again when preparing the application.

Plan the evidence after choosing the stream

The employer should still explain its business need and provide the recruitment and remuneration material required for the case. The worker needs to address skills, experience, English and other visa criteria. Stream selection is a foundation for those tasks rather than a substitute for them.

Consider an illustrative technology role with substantial guaranteed remuneration but mostly routine support duties. The assessment begins with those duties, not with an assumption that the salary makes the role a Specialist Skills position. Emigrate Lawyers can examine the documents together and explain the stream selection in the context of the complete case.

Common questions