Stop counting points. Start looking for a sponsor.
If you are living in Sydney and struggling to reach 95+ points for a 190 visa, you might be ignoring the most powerful visa in the Australian system: the Employer Sponsored (Subclass 482) visa.
In late 2024 and moving into 2026, the government completely overhauled this program, rebranding it as the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. The changes are massive, and for once, they are actually good news for skilled migrants.
At Right and Associates Sydney, located at 301 Castlereagh Street, we are currently managing sponsorships for some of Sydney's leading construction, hospitality, and IT firms. Here is why this visa should be your Plan A.
The "1-Year" Game Changer
For years, the biggest barrier to the 482 visa was the requirement to have 2 years of full-time work experience.
- The New Rule: You now only need 1 year of skilled work experience to be eligible.
- Why This Matters: If you are a recent graduate (e.g., IT or Engineering) and you have completed your Professional Year (PY) or worked for just 12 months on your 485 visa, you are now eligible for sponsorship. You don't need to wait.
The 3 New Streams (Know Your Level)
The "Skills in Demand" visa is split into three distinct tiers. Knowing which one you fit into is critical:
- Specialist Skills Pathway: For high earners (earning over $135k+). This has ultra-fast processing (often under 7 days) and no occupation list restrictions (except trades/machinery operators).
- Core Skills Pathway: For the majority of applicants (e.g., Nurses, Teachers, IT, Trades). You must be on the Core Skills Occupation List.
- Essential Skills Pathway: For lower-paid but critical sectors (still being finalized, likely Aged Care/Labour Agreements).
The "Golden Ticket": Guaranteed PR Path
In the past, many "Short Term" 482 visas had no path to permanent residency. That has ended. In 2026, ALL Skills in Demand visa holders have a pathway to PR.
- The Timeline: After working for your sponsor for just 2 years (down from 3), you can transition to the Subclass 186 (TRT Stream) Permanent Residence visa.
- The Certainty: Unlike the 190 visa, you are not competing with thousands of others. If you have the job and the boss supports you, the PR is yours.
For Sydney Employers: We Make Sponsorship Easy
Are you a business owner in Parramatta, Rockdale, or the CBD? The new system is better for you too, but the compliance is stricter. The TSMIT (Minimum Salary Threshold) has risen (approx $73,150+ and indexed annually). Right and Associates acts as your corporate migration partner. We handle:
- Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval.
- Labour Market Testing (LMT) evidence.
- Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy calculations.
Why Right and Associates?
We don't just fill in forms; we negotiate futures.
- We Talk to Your Boss: We know how to explain the sponsorship benefits to hesitant employers.
- We Check the Salary: We ensure your contract meets the strict market salary rates so your visa isn't refused.
- We Plan the PR: We structure your 482 application with the 186 transition in mind from Day 1.
Don't Let a Job Offer Go to Waste
If you have a supportive employer, do not rely on a generic 190 invitation that might never come. Secure your future with a sponsorship.
Visit our Sydney CBD office to assess your eligibility for the new Skills in Demand visa.
Visit us in Sydney CBD: 📍 Address: Suite 12, Level 1, 301 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 📞 Phone: +61 2 9281 1464 📧 Email: admissions@rassociates.com.au