The Skills in Demand (SID) visa for Australia was officially launched on 7 December 2024. It is designed to attract highly skilled workers to Australia and provide applicants with a more flexible pathway to permanent residency (PR). Compared to the previous 482 visa, the SID visa has been optimised in terms of the occupation list, work experience requirements and language thresholds, giving more people the opportunity to achieve their immigration dreams through employer sponsorship.
If you are considering applying for PR through the SID visa, this guide will provide a detailed analysis of the application conditions, process and considerations to assist you smoothly plan your immigration journey.
What is the SID Visa?
The SID visa is a new visa category introduced by the Australian government to fill labour market gaps. It is divided into three major streams:
This is for applicants whose occupations are listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The annual salary requirement is AUD 73,150.
This is for highly skilled and high-income earners, with an annual salary requirement of AUD 135,000 and almost no occupation list restrictions (ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6).
This is for applicants who are sponsored through labour agreements to address labour shortages in specific industries or regions.
The SID visa is valid for up to 4 years. During this time, the visa holder can work for their employer and accumulate experience to pave the way for subsequent PR applications.
How to Transition from SID Visa to PR?
SID visa holders can apply for PR through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) 186 visa under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. The specific requirements for transitioning to PR are as follows:
- Applicants must have held a 457 or 482 visa for at least 2 years within the past 3 years.
- Applicants must have accumulated at least 2 years of full-time work experience related to their nominated occupation in the past 3 years.
- The work experience can be accumulated from different employers, as long as the employer is legally operating and eligible to sponsor.
- IELTS scores of at least 6 in each of the four components (or equivalent PTE or TOEFL scores).
- Applicants must generally be under 45 years old. However, doctors in regional areas and high-income applicants may be eligible for an age exemption.
- The employer must be actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia
- The employer must be the applicant’s most recently approved sponsor (as a standard business sponsor or party to a labour agreement)
- The employer must demonstrate a genuine need for the nominated position
- The employer must pay the Skilling Australian Fund levy
Process for Transitioning from SID Visa to PR (186)
The employer must meet the following conditions:
- Legally operating in Australia.
- Have employer sponsorship eligibility (or have submitted a sponsorship eligibility application).
- Be able to demonstrate a genuine need for the position.
- Comply with relevant Australian laws.
The employer submits a nomination for the applicant under the 186 TRT stream. The nomination must meet:
- Occupation Requirements: The position must match the occupation list for the SID visa.
- Salary Requirements: The annual salary must not be less than AUD 73,150 + Superannuation (as of 1 July 2024).
- Training Requirements: Employers must meet the training contribution requirements (applicable to some businesses).
The applicant submits a 186 visa application and provides:
- Personal identity documents (passport, visa etc)
- Employment proof (employment contract, payslips etc to verify at least 2 years of relevant work experience)
- English language test scores (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Health examinations and police clearances
Costs for Transitioning from SID Visa to PR
| Free Category | Amount |
| Employer Nomination Fee | AUD 540 |
| Australian Skills Fund (SAF) | Small Business: AUD 3,000 Large Business: AUD 5,000 |
| 186 Visa Application Fee | Main applicant: AUD 4,770 Dependent applicants (18+): AUD 2,385 Dependent applicants (under 18): AUD 1,190 |
Advantages of Transitioning from SID Visa to PR
- Previously, the requirement was that work experience must be with the same employer for 2 years. Now, work experience with different employers can be accumulated as long as it is relevant to the nominated occupation.
- The CSOL for the SID visa comprises 456 occupations across various fields, including construction, healthcare, agriculture and cybersecurity, providing applicants with more options.
- Applicants with an annual salary of AUD 135,000, even if their occupation is not on the CSOL list, can still apply through the Specialist Skills stream.
- Some occupations no longer require additional skills assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes. SID visa holders can change employers within 180 days, and work experience with different employers can be accumulated if it meets the relevant requirements.
- If your annual salary is AUD 135,000 or more, you can still apply through the Specialist Skills stream.
- Yes. If applicants meet the 186 DE stream requirements, they can apply directly for PR, but they must have 3 years of relevant work experience and undergo a skills assessment.
Conclusion
The SID visa offers skilled workers a more flexible and convenient pathway to immigration, especially with optimisations in occupation lists and work experience requirements.
This opens up more opportunities for individuals to achieve PR through employer sponsorship. If you are considering applying for PR through the SID visa, it is advisable to plan ahead, ensure you meet the relevant requirements and establish connections with eligible employers.
If you have any questions regarding the SID or the ENS 186 visa, please feel free to contact us for professional immigration advice and assistance!
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