Australia work visa from Pakistan: the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) lets you work for an Australian employer that is an approved sponsor, for up to 4 years. The employer nominates you for a job on the Core Skills list paying at least AUD 79,423 a year; you need at least 1 year of relevant work and IELTS 5 in each part or equal. The main fee is A$4,015 (about PKR 774,000).
Last checked:
At a glance
- Main fee
- A$4,015 (about PKR 774,000)
- Processing time
- Varies, see below
- Documents
- 12 on the list
- Your employer nominates you for a Core Skills occupation paying at least AUD 79,423 a year.
- At least 1 year of work experience, and IELTS 5 in each part or equal.
- Two years with your sponsor can lead to permanent residence.
Fees
| Fee | Official amount | About in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge (main applicant)From 1 July 2026; the same for each family member 18 or over. | A$4,015 | PKR 774,000 |
| Each family member under 18 | A$1,005 | PKR 194,000 |
Rupee amounts are a guide only, at the mid-market rate on October 9, 2026 (1 AUD = PKR 192.68). Your bank and the visa centre use their own rates.
Check the amount on the official source.
Official fee pages:Current visa pricing (from 1 July 2026)
Processing time
Not confirmed
Core Skills: half decided within 4 months, 90% within 9 months. Offshore applications wait longer: in October 2026 Home Affairs was deciding offshore applications lodged in October 2025.
Official source: Global visa processing timesDocuments you need
From our draft document list for this visa. Your own list depends on your situation, so check the official source.
Usually needed
Passport
Scan of the passport pages with your photo and details.
Job offer / employment contract
Your employment contract, and the nomination transaction reference number (TRN) your sponsor gives you.
Employer reference or leave letter (NOC)
Reference letters showing at least 1 year of work in the occupation or a related field, ideally within the last 5 years.
English language test result
English test from the last 3 years: IELTS 5 in each part (PTE Academic 33, 36, 29 and 24), unless an exemption applies, such as 5 years of study in English.
Health insurance certificate
Adequate health insurance for you and your family for the whole stay.
Immigration medical exam (panel physician)
A stay of 6 months or more: a medical examination and, from age 11, a chest x-ray with a Home Affairs panel physician.
Police character certificate
Police certificates from every country where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza)
A polio (IPV) dose within 12 months of travel: the High Commission asks applicants from Pakistan for it, and missing it can delay or stop a visa.
Needed in some situations
Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA)
Pakistan exit requirement, not a visa document: when you leave Pakistan you must show a NIMS/NADRA vaccination certificate including polio (the old paper card is no longer accepted, and since 14 September 2026 airports check a NADRA-integrated vaccination record). Verify current rules.
Can support your application
Salary slips
Payslips or tax records for that work.
Degree certificate
Qualifications for the job.
Skills assessment from the assessing authority (Australia)
Only for occupations that need one (mainly trades, assessed by Trades Recognition Australia): it must be started before you apply.
Where to apply in Pakistan
The mission does not take visa applications at its counter: you apply in the ways listed below.
Australian High Commission in Islamabad
High commissionConstitution Avenue and Ispahani Road, Diplomatic Enclave No. 1, Sector G-5/4, Islamabad
Does not take visa applications at its counter. You apply online in ImmiAccount, and the Department of Home Affairs decides. The High Commission takes no visa applications and answers no visa enquiries; if Home Affairs asks for your biometrics, give them at a VFS Global centre.
Ways to apply
Online portalApply online in ImmiAccount
Create an ImmiAccount, apply and pay online; you do not need to visit the High Commission or use an agent.
Visa centreAustralian Biometrics Collection Centre (VFS Global)
Only when Home Affairs asks for biometrics: walk in, no appointment, with your passport, photo ID and the letter. The centre charges a service fee.
In Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi
Health examinations are done by Home Affairs panel physicians in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, booked with the HAP ID from ImmiAccount.
How to apply, step by step
Find an employer who sponsors you
The employer must be an approved sponsor (or have applied to be one) and nominate you for a job on the Core Skills Occupation List, paying the market rate and at least AUD 79,423 a year.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Core Skills streamPrepare your evidence
At least 1 year of work in the occupation or a related field (it should be within the last 5 years), English such as IELTS 5 in each part, and a skills assessment if your occupation needs one.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Core Skills streamApply online
Apply in ImmiAccount with your employer's nomination number and pay AUD 4,015. You need health insurance for your whole stay.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Core Skills streamHealth checks and police certificates
A medical examination and chest x-ray for a stay of 6 months or more, and police certificates from every country where you lived 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
Character requirementsDecision and the route to residence
Offshore applications are processed after priority sectors, the Specialist Skills stream and applicants in Australia. After 2 years with your sponsor you may apply for permanent residence (subclass 186).
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Temporary Residence Transition stream
Questions people ask
How much does the Australian Skills in Demand visa (482) cost from Pakistan?
Visa application charge (main applicant): A$4,015 (about PKR 774,000); Each family member under 18: A$1,005 (about PKR 194,000). Fees change, so check the official fee page before you pay.
Current visa pricing (from 1 July 2026) (opens in a new tab)How long does the Australian Skills in Demand visa (482) take from Pakistan?
Core Skills: half decided within 4 months, 90% within 9 months. Offshore applications wait longer: in October 2026 Home Affairs was deciding offshore applications lodged in October 2025.
Global visa processing times (opens in a new tab)What documents do I need for the Australian Skills in Demand visa (482) from Pakistan?
The usual documents are: Passport, Job offer / employment contract, Employer reference or leave letter (NOC), English language test result, Health insurance certificate, Immigration medical exam (panel physician), Police character certificate, and Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza). Depending on your situation, you may also need: Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA).
Where do I apply for the Australian Skills in Demand visa (482) in Pakistan?
Australian High Commission in Islamabad does not take visa applications at its counter. Ways to apply: Apply online in ImmiAccount and Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (VFS Global).
Can I get an Australian work visa without a sponsor?
Not this one: the Skills in Demand visa needs an approved sponsor that nominates you. Without a sponsor, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) works by points instead.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Core Skills stream (opens in a new tab)What is the minimum salary for the 482 visa?
At least AUD 79,423 a year for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and at least the market rate an Australian would earn in the same job.
Salary requirements for nominated positions (opens in a new tab)Does the 482 lead to permanent residence?
It can: after 2 years of full-time work for your sponsor in Australia, the employer can nominate you for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), usually if you are under 45 with competent English.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): Temporary Residence Transition stream (opens in a new tab)