Skills in Demand visa

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa was renamed to the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, with structural reforms including three streams (Specialist Skills Pathway, Core Skills Pathway, Essential Skills Pathway), new salary thresholds (Specialist and Core income thresholds), reduced minimum work-experience requirement (1 year), and improved pathways to permanent residence (mobility between sponsors and Subclass 186 ENS). Verify current salary thresholds on home affairs immi.gov.au — they are indexed annually.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA), progressively replacing the long-standing ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations). OSCA preserves a similar 6-digit structure but introduces revised major groups, updated occupation definitions, and new entries for emerging roles. The Department of Home Affairs is adopting OSCA progressively across 2025-2026 — most skilled-visa occupation lists still reference ANZSCO codes during the transition. Always cross-check the live occupation list on home affairs at application time.

Ministerial Direction 110 issued under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, providing the framework decision-makers must apply when refusing or cancelling visas on character grounds under section 501. Direction 110 replaces Direction 99 and re-emphasises Australia's expectations of non-citizens. Affects character considerations across all visa subclasses, including skilled visas at the application and post-grant stage.