The New Skills in Demand Visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage Subclass 482 visa on 7 December 2024.
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Quick answer: The Core Skills pathway is the middle tier of Australia’s Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa, for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) paying between $79,499 and $146,717 a year (thresholds effective 1 July 2026). It replaced the standard stream of the old Temporary Skill Shortage visa when the Skills in Demand visa launched on 7 December 2024. |
Australia’s migration system is poised for a significant overhaul with the upcoming Skills in Demand visa, set to replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024. This new visa is designed to enhance Australia’s ability to attract skilled talent from around the world. Among the three distinct pathways within this new visa framework, the Core Skills Pathway plays a crucial role in addressing Australia’s medium-level skill requirements.
What is the Core Skills pathway?
The Core Skills pathway is one of three streams under the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024. It’s the mid-tier option: broader than the high-salary Specialist Skills pathway, but restricted to occupations that appear on the Core Skills Occupation list managed by Jobs and Skills Australia
| Pathway | 2026 salary threshold | Occupation restriction |
| Specialist Skills | $146,717+ | None – open to almost any ANZSCO occupation where the salary is above the SSIT |
| Core Skills | $79,499 – $146,717 | Must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) |
| Essential Skills | Below $79,499 | Still under development – targeted at persistent-shortage sectors |
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Eligibility for the Core Skills pathway depends on whether the nominated role sits on the CSOL, which is maintained and periodically reviewed by Jobs and Skills Australia rather than fixed indefinitely like the old MLTSSL/STSOL lists. Because the list is reviewed on an ongoing basis, employers should check an occupation’s current status before committing to a nomination – an occupation available today isn’t guaranteed to remain on the list.
Nominations submitted while an occupation was on the CSOL generally remain valid even if that occupation is later removed from the list, so timing the initial nomination correctly matters more than trying to predict future list changes.
Salary threshold
The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) increased from $76,515 to $79,499 (plus superannuation) from 1 July 2026, in line with the government’s annual indexation of skilled visa salary thresholds. This change applies to new nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 onward – nominations lodged before that date are assessed against the previous threshold, not the new one.
- Minimum: $79,499 AUD plus superannuation (from 1 July 2026)
- Applies to new nominations only – lodged or approved nominations are not retrospectively affected
Work experience and other requirements
- At least one year of relevant, skilled work experience – reduced from the two years required under the old 482 visa
- A genuine position that matches the nominated occupation’s duties
- Sponsorship by an approved Standard Business Sponsor
- Labour market testing, where required for the occupation
Processing times
The Specialist Skills pathway carries a published 7-calendar-day median processing target for combined nomination and visa applications. The Core Skills pathway does not carry the same fast-track commitment – expect a longer and more variable timeframe, and confirm the current median via the Department of Home Affairs’ published processing times before setting a start date with a candidate or employer.
Pathway to permanent residency
Core Skills visa holders can generally work toward permanent residency via the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Temporary Residence Transition stream, after two years in the role – a shorter qualifying period than under the previous 482 system, and one that now applies to short-term as well as medium-term visa holders.
What is the current Core Skills salary threshold?
From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is $79,499 AUD plus superannuation, up from $76,515. Roles must pay at least this much (and less than $146,717, the Specialist Skills threshold) to use the Core Skills pathway.
How is the Core Skills pathway different from Specialist Skills?
Core Skills is restricted to occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List and sits in a lower salary band. Specialist Skills has no occupation-list restriction but requires a salary above $146,717 and targets a 7-day median processing time that Core Skills does not carry.
Do I need two years of experience for a Core Skills nomination?
No – the SID visa reduced the minimum relevant work experience requirement to one year, down from the two years required under the old Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa.
What happens if my occupation is removed from the CSOL after I’ve lodged?
Nominations submitted while the occupation was on the list generally remain valid even if it’s later removed, though this should be confirmed against current departmental policy for your specific case.
GET IN TOUCH with our team of migration professionals if you have any questions regarding the new Skills in Demand Visa
VIDEO UPDATE: Skills in Demand Visa
