Last updated: 30 March 2026

482 Visa Processing Time: Current Wait by Stream

The subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa involves two sequential approval stages: the employer nomination and the visa application itself. Processing time for the 482 means different things depending on which stage you are asking about — and both stages matter for planning your employment start date, your living arrangements, and your pathway planning.

This page covers current processing times for each component of the 482 application, breaks down the three streams, explains what influences processing speed, and provides a planning framework for applicants and their employers.

The 482 Application Structure

Before looking at processing times, it is important to understand that a 482 grant requires two separate approvals:

1. Employer Nomination (Subclass 482 nomination): The employer applies to nominate the position and the applicant for the role. This is assessed by the Department of Home Affairs and must meet requirements around standard business sponsorship, the genuineness of the position, market salary rate, and Labour Market Testing (for most occupations).

2. Visa Application (Subclass 482 visa): Once the nomination is approved (or lodged concurrently), the individual applicant lodges their visa application. This is assessed against personal eligibility criteria including skills assessment (for some streams), English language, health, and character.

You can lodge both applications concurrently, but the visa application is not finalised until the nomination is approved. Lodging simultaneously is generally recommended to reduce total elapsed time.

Processing Times by Stream

The 482 has three streams, each with different eligibility criteria and slightly different processing characteristics.

Short-Term Stream

Purpose: Occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) where Australia has a short-term skills need.

Visa duration: Up to 2 years (or up to 4 years for Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement applicants); maximum 4 years across all grants.

Medium-Term Stream

Purpose: Occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) where Australia has an ongoing skills need.

Visa duration: Up to 4 years per grant.

Labour Agreement Stream

Purpose: Applicants sponsored under an industry or company-specific labour agreement.

Visa duration: Determined by the labour agreement.

Labour Agreement stream processing is less predictable because it depends on the terms of the individual agreement. Applications under this stream typically take longer due to the complexity of assessing against agreement-specific criteria. Allow 6–18 months for planning purposes.

Employer Nomination Processing

The nomination is assessed separately from the visa application and contributes to total wait time.

For employers sponsoring a new overseas worker for the first time, the Standard Business Sponsorship approval must also be obtained. This adds time if the employer has not previously held sponsorship approval.

Labour Market Testing (LMT) is required for most occupations under the 482. The employer must demonstrate they have advertised the position to Australian workers and been unable to fill it. LMT must have been conducted within 4 months before the nomination is lodged. Planning the LMT timeline in advance prevents delays.

Factors That Speed Up Processing

Concurrent lodgement

Lodging the nomination and visa application on the same day — or as close together as possible — means the visa application is queued while the nomination is being processed. Once the nomination is approved, the visa application can move forward immediately rather than waiting for you to lodge after nomination approval.

Complete documentation at lodgement

For the visa application, complete documentation means:

• Skills assessment evidence (required for some occupations and streams)
• Certified English test results (if required)
• Current passport and identity documents
• Employment reference and qualification evidence
• Health examination results (if completed in advance)
• Police clearances

For the nomination, complete documentation means:

• Evidence of standard business sponsorship approval or concurrent application
• Labour Market Testing evidence meeting the required format and timing
• Position description and evidence that the position is genuine
• Evidence of market salary rate compliance

Gaps in either application create follow-up requests that extend total processing time.

Priority processing

The Department of Home Affairs offers a priority processing option for Standard Business Sponsor nominations and 482 visa applications. Priority processing typically reduces wait times to 2–3 weeks for the nomination and a similar timeframe for the visa application, for an additional fee. This option is available to applicants who need a faster outcome due to urgent employment needs.

Factors That Slow Down Processing

Labour Market Testing issues

LMT is one of the most common sources of nomination delays. Issues include:

• Advertisements that do not meet the required format or timeframe
• Advertisements placed on platforms not accepted by the Department
• LMT conducted more than 4 months before lodgement
• Insufficient evidence that Australian workers were unable to fill the role

Employers unfamiliar with LMT requirements should review the Department’s LMT guidelines carefully or engage a registered migration agent to review their evidence before lodging.

Market salary rate disputes

The nomination must demonstrate that the proposed salary meets the Market Salary Rate (MSR) for the nominated occupation and location. If the Department considers the proposed salary below the MSR, a request for additional information will be issued. Having a salary benchmarking report prepared by the employer in advance can address this proactively.

Skills assessment requirements

Some 482 occupations — particularly engineering, accounting, and ICT roles — require a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. Skills assessment processing times (4–12 weeks for most authorities) can delay the visa application if not obtained in advance. Unlike the 189 visa, where the skills assessment must precede the EOI, for the 482 the skills assessment can sometimes be lodged concurrently, but confirming this for your specific occupation is important.

Health and character complexity

Health conditions requiring cost-to-community assessment or character matters requiring consideration extend processing times. Health examinations should be completed through a HAP-approved physician as early as possible, as results are valid for 12 months.

Multiple secondary applicants

Partners and children included in the 482 application each require individual health and character processing. Large family groups add complexity to the case assessment.

Planning Timeline: A Practical Framework

For employers and applicants working backwards from a target start date:

Recommended total lead time from start to employment: Allow at least 9–14 months for most applications without priority processing. With priority processing, this can be reduced to 3–5 months for straightforward cases.

The 482 and Permanent Residency

The 482 is a temporary visa, but it connects to permanent residency pathways — most commonly through the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.

The 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream is specifically designed for 482 holders who have worked for their sponsoring employer for at least 2 years in the nominated occupation. After meeting this requirement, both the employer and the applicant can apply for the 186 as a pathway to permanent residency.

Planning your 482 strategy with the 186 pathway in mind — including employer commitment to support your permanent nomination after 2 years — is worth discussing with your employer at the 482 stage. For details on how the 482 connects to permanent residency options, see our guide on 482 to permanent residency pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions About 482 Visa Processing Time

How long does a 482 visa take to process in 2026?

As of early 2026, the Department of Home Affairs reports 75% of Medium-term Stream 482 applications are processed within 7 months, and 90% within 12 months. Short-term Stream applications are broadly similar. These figures apply to the visa application stage only — employer nomination must be approved first, which typically adds 4–8 weeks.

Does the employer nomination need to be approved before I can lodge my 482 visa application?

Yes. The employer nomination approval is a prerequisite for lodging the 482 visa application. Both applications can be lodged simultaneously (concurrently), but the visa application will not be processed until the nomination is approved. Lodging concurrently can reduce overall wait time.

Can I work for a different employer while waiting for my 482 visa to be processed?

If you are in Australia on a bridging visa waiting for a 482 decision, your bridging visa conditions typically reflect your previous substantive visa conditions. You cannot commence working for the new employer until the 482 is granted. If your previous visa had no work restrictions, your bridging visa may allow work, but not necessarily with the new sponsor.