482 Visa Work Experience Rules, State Nomination Rounds & the 462 Ballot: What Changed
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Quick answer: The Australian government removed the old five-year lookback restriction on work experience for the 482/Skills in Demand visa – experience from any timeframe can now count, it no longer needs to be continuous, and casual employment is accepted alongside full-time work. This sits alongside broader changes to state nomination rounds (190/491) and the Work and Holiday visa (462) ballot system introduced in September 2024. |
Work experience rules loosened for the 482/Skills in Demand visa
The government removed the previous restriction limiting eligible work experience to the last five years – experience from any timeframe can now be used to meet the requirement. The rules were also relaxed so that experience doesn’t need to be continuous, and casual employment now counts toward the requirement, where previously only full-time work was accepted.
- No five-year lookback limit – relevant experience from any point in your career can count
- Experience does not need to be continuous
- Casual employment now counts, not just full-time roles
- This sits alongside the broader reduction to a one-year minimum experience requirement introduced with the Skills in Demand visa
Together with the Skills in Demand visa’s move to a one-year minimum experience requirement (down from two years under the old 482), these changes give applicants considerably more flexibility in how they evidence their skilled work history.
State nomination rounds (190 & 491)
States and territories run their own occupation lists and invitation schedules for the 190 (Skilled Nominated) and 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas, and these are updated at least annually – sometimes more often. NSW, for example, has previously run dedicated occupation lists for both visas with invitation rounds roughly every 2–3 weeks during active periods. Because allocations and timing shift each program year, always check the current round schedule and occupation list for the specific state you’re targeting rather than relying on a prior year’s figures.
Work and Holiday visa (462) ballot system
From 16 September 2024, Australia introduced a pre-application ballot for first-time Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) applicants from China, Vietnam and India. Registration carries a AUD $25 fee, with the standard visa application charge (indexed periodically) payable only if selected and applying. Existing 462 visa holders from these countries can still apply for subsequent visas through the standard (non-ballot) channel. Confirm current registration windows and fees on the Department of Home Affairs website, as ballot periods open on a schedule rather than year-round.
Does 482/Skills in Demand work experience need to be recent?
No – the previous five-year look back restriction has been removed. Relevant experience from any point in your career can now be used to meet the requirement.
Does casual work count toward the 482/Skills in Demand experience requirement?
Yes. The rules were updated to accept casual employment alongside full-time work, and experience no longer needs to be continuous.
Who does the 462 visa ballot apply to?
First-time Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) applicants from China, Vietnam and India, effective from 16 September 2024. Returning applicants from these countries can still use the standard application channel.
How often do NSW’s 190 and 491 occupation lists and invitation rounds change?
At least annually, and often more frequently within a program year. Always check the current list and round schedule directly rather than relying on a previous year’s allocation figures.
GET IN TOUCH if you have any questions regarding the new immigration changes and updates
