Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Immigration to Australia

The Skills in Demand [SID] Visa program enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled overseas workers who cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

• The SID visa program allows for a stay of up to four years.
• A median service standard of 21 days for the new Skills in Demand visa

There are three streams available under this visa program:

• Specialist Skills stream – this stream is for employers to source skilled overseas workers who:
  • are nominated in a 6 digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) 2022 occupation in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6; and
  • earn at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold and no less than Australian workers in the same occupation.
• Core Skills stream  – this stream is for employers to source skilled overseas workers who:
  • are nominated in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL); and
  • earn at least the Core Skills Income Threshold and no less than Australian workers in the same occupation.
• Labour Agreement stream is utilised where an employer has executed a work agreement with the Commonwealth to source skilled overseas workers because there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market.

Entitlements of SID visa holders:

• can work in Australia for their approved sponsor in their approved occupation;
• can bring any eligible dependants with them to Australia, who can work and study; and
• have no limit on the number of times they can travel in and out of Australia.

Strong worker protection measures are also in place to ensure that overseas skilled workers are afforded the same workplace rights as Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents.

The SID visa process| Three stages:

There are three stages in sponsoring an overseas worker under the SID visa program:

1. The sponsorship application: The employer applies for approval as a standard business sponsor [SBS].
2. The nomination application: The employer nominates an occupation for a prospective SID visa applicant or existing Subclass 482 visa holder for up to four years.
3. The Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa: application by the visa applicant

Note:

• For the Labour Agreement stream, the sponsorship stage of the process is replaced with the negotiation and signing of a work agreement. A SID nomination and visa application are still required – see Labour agreements [hot link]:
• For information on Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa holders who wish to change their sponsor and or occupation, including transitional arrangements for Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) (TSS) visa, please make a consultation for an appointment.  – see  https://dlegal.com.au/dlegal-appointment-booking/

Other visa pathways:

• • Essential Skills Pathway
  • Talent and Innovation Visa Immigration to Australia