(Updated 1 July 2026) Skills in Demand Visa & National Innovation Visa: Launch Recap and What’s Changed Since
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Quick answer: The Skills in Demand (SID) visa and National Innovation Visa (NIV) both launched on 7 December 2024, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa and Global Talent Independent program respectively. Salary thresholds announced at launch – $135,000 for Specialist Skills and $73,150 for Core Skills – have since been indexed twice, reaching $146,717 and $79,499 from 1 July 2026. |
What launched on 7 December 2024
Two major reforms took effect on the same date: the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa, and the National Innovation Visa (NIV) replaced the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program while keeping the Subclass 858 classification. Existing 482 visa holders kept their status under the old rules; new applications moved to the SID framework from that date.
Skills in Demand visa: the three streams at launch
| Stream | Launch threshold (Dec 2024) | Threshold from 1 July 2026 | Notes |
| Specialist Skills | $135,000 | $146,717 | No occupation list; highly skilled roles across most sectors, excluding trades, machinery operators, drivers and labourers |
| Core Skills | $73,150 | $79,499 | Must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) |
| Labour Agreements / Essential Skills | Under review at launch | Essential Skills now defined: under $79,499 | Targets persistent-shortage sectors such as aged care and disability support |
The visa offers validity of up to four years, and thresholds are indexed each 1 July – they’ve now moved twice since launch, first in July 2025 and again in July 2026.
National Innovation Visa: what changed from the Global Talent program
The NIV kept the Subclass 858 classification but moved to an endorsement and track-record model targeting global researchers with substantial publication records, entrepreneurs (both emerging and established), innovative investors, and athletes and creatives with international standing. It remains invitation-only via Expression of Interest, and – as covered in our state-by-state guides – New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have each since stood up their own nomination pathways to support applicants.
Program scale: then and now
At launch, the 2024-25 Migration Program allocated 132,200 permanent skilled visa places, with employer-sponsored visas receiving the largest single share at 44,000 places. Top source countries for temporary skilled workers at the time were India (18,397), the Philippines (15,194) and the United Kingdom (11,062).
By the 2026-27 program year, the Skill stream had grown to 132,240 places, and most notably the employer-sponsored allocation jumped to 58,040 places, an increase of over 14,000 in two years. That’s the clearest signal of where government migration policy has moved since the SID/NIV launch: toward employer sponsorship as the primary skilled pathway.
When did the Skills in Demand visa replace the 482 visa?
7 December 2024. Existing 482 visa holders retained their status; new nominations and applications moved to the Skills in Demand framework from that date.
What was the original Specialist Skills salary threshold?
$135,000 at launch in December 2024. It has since increased to $141,210 (July 2025) and $146,717 (July 2026).
Is the Global Talent visa still available?
Not under that name. It was replaced by the National Innovation Visa (still Subclass 858) on 7 December 2024, using an endorsement and track-record assessment rather than the old GTI points-adjacent model.
How has the employer-sponsored allocation changed since launch?
It rose from 44,000 places in the 2024–25 program to 58,040 in 2026–27 – a clear policy shift toward employer sponsorship as the government’s preferred skilled migration lever.
VIDEO UPDATE: Skills in Demand Visa
National Innovation Visa (NIV)
The National Innovation Visa will replace the Global Talent Visa but remain a Subclass 858 visa. the new National Innovation Visa (NIV) is tailored to attract individuals with exceptional talent across various fields, including:
- Global Researchers: Individuals with substantial publications and high academic citations.
- Entrepreneurs: Both emerging and established, drawing lessons from state-led initiatives.
- Innovative Investors: Focusing on the quality of investment rather than simple financial thresholds.
- Athletes and Creatives: Particularly those who can represent Australia internationally.
Application Process: This visa is going to be invitation-only (similar to the current Global Talent Visa), with Expressions of Interest (EOI) reflecting processes used for other invitation-based visas.
Comparison between the Skills in Demand Visa and the National Innovation Visa
| Skills in Demand (SID) – Specialist Skills | National Innovation Visa | |
| Applicant Profile | Highly skilled, $135,000+ salary | Globally recognised, exceptional talent |
| Visa Length | Up to 4 years with pathway to PR | Permanent Residency |
| Sponsorship Requirement | Australian employer sponsor needed | Nominated via EOI |
| English Requirement | Competent | Functional or pay extra VAC |
| Age | Any age | Any age |
| Occupation Restrictions | Almost any occupation | No restrictions |
| Annual Allocation | Based on demand | Planned Program Levels – Must be invited |
Migration Program Planning Levels for Permanent Skilled Visas
| Visa Type | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | Grants 2024-25 (up to 30/9/24) |
| Employer Sponsored | 35,000 | 36,525 | 44,000 | 11,509 |
| Skilled Independent | 32,100 | 30,375 | 16,900 | 6,046 |
| State/Territory Nominated | 31,000 | 33,000 | 33,000 | 11,050 |
| Skilled Regional | 34,000 | 32,700 | 33,000 | 12,959 |
| Global Talent | 5,000 | 1,836 | 4,000 | 1,836 |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 | 117 | 300 | 117 |
| Business Innovation and Investment | 5,000 | 1,900 | 1,000 | 360 |
| Total | 142,100 | 137,100 | 132,200 | 43,887 |
Top Occupations in the TSS Program:
Australia’s Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) program prioritises certain occupations and has issued the most grants for the following roles in 2023-24:
- Resident Medical Officer = 2,406
- Chef = 2,279
- Software Engineer = 2,278
- Labour Agreement = 1,878
- Motor Mechanic (General) = 1,559
- Diesel Motor Mechanic = 1,152
- ICT Business Analyst = 1,042
- Mechanical Engineering Technician = 1,011
- Fitter (General) = 1,005
- Cafe or Restaurant Manager = 938
Top Nationalities in the TSS Program:
Top source countries for TSS visa holders include:
- India = 18,397
- Philippines = 15,194
- United Kingdom = 11,062
- South Africa = 5,450
- Republic of Ireland = 4,603
- Sri Lanka = 4,420
- China = 4,069
- Nepal = 2,031
- United States of America = 1,995
- Zimbabwe = 1,864
These updates reflect a more focused approach, particularly on high-skilled migration and innovation-led industries. Key takeaways include the introduction of the Skills in Demand Visa, a shift from the Global Talent Visa to the National Innovation Visa, a prioritisation of startup and innovative industries, and increased flexibility for employer-sponsored visa holders to change employers.
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