Written by Immigrad · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1805710 · Last updated November 2026
If you are an Australian employer planning to sponsor a worker, the 482 visa work experience requirement is one of the first things to check, before you advertise, nominate or pay any fees. Under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, the person you nominate must be able to show relevant work experience. This guide explains what the Department of Home Affairs says, what evidence employers should gather, and where candidates commonly fall short. It is general information current as at November 2026, and complex cases need personal advice from a registered migration agent.
What is the 482 visa work experience requirement?
For the Core Skills stream, Home Affairs states that the visa applicant must have at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field. In plain terms, the worker needs a genuine track record doing the job you want to fill, or work close enough to it that they can perform the role from day one.
This sits alongside other applicant requirements. According to Home Affairs, the person must also be nominated for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, be paid at least the Annual Market Salary Rate and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold, hold a relevant skills assessment if one is required for the occupation, work only for the sponsor or an associated entity unless exempt, and meet the English language standard unless exempt.
Why should employers care about the applicant’s experience?
The visa applicant carries the experience requirement, but the employer carries the commercial risk. If the visa is refused, the recruitment time, the sponsorship and nomination effort and the vacancy all sit with you. Checking experience early is far cheaper than discovering a gap after lodgement. Our guide on whether sponsorship and nomination fees are refundable explains why this matters.
Experience also connects to your nomination. The role must be genuine, and the person you choose must be credible for it. Read our article on genuine position, salary and common refusal reasons alongside this one.
What counts as “relevant” work experience?
Home Affairs uses the wording “nominated occupation or a related field”. That gives some flexibility, but it is not unlimited. A useful way to think about it is whether the duties the person has performed are meaningfully connected to the duties in the position you are nominating. A cook moving into a chef role is closer than an unrelated office job. The closer the match, the easier it is to demonstrate.
We recommend employers avoid assuming that a job title alone proves relevance. Titles vary widely between businesses and countries. What matters is what the person actually did, for how long, and whether you can prove it.
How do you prove work experience for a 482 visa?
Evidence is where many files are won or lost. Practical documents typically include:
- Employment references or statements of service that describe the role, key duties, dates and hours worked, signed by someone in authority at the former employer.
- Payslips, bank statements, tax records or superannuation or equivalent records that corroborate the dates and income.
- Employment contracts or letters of appointment.
- A current CV that matches the dates in the other documents.
Consistency matters. A reference that says one thing, a CV that says another and a nomination that describes a third role invites questions. Our Employer Sponsorship Readiness Checklist helps you gather the right documents before you start.
Does the worker need a skills assessment?
Home Affairs says a relevant skills assessment is needed if one is required for the occupation. Some occupations also involve licensing or registration in Australia, which is a separate issue from the visa and may be governed by a state or territory regulator or industry body. Before you nominate, confirm whether your occupation falls into either group. If it does, factor the timing into your plan, because assessments and registrations can take time and sit outside Immigrad’s control.
What about English language?
English is a separate requirement and the rules depend on the stream and on exemptions. Home Affairs lists approved tests, minimum scores and exemptions, including for passport holders from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. Tests must generally be taken within 3 years before applying, and fully online tests are not accepted. We cover the detail in our article on the English level a 482 visa applicant needs.
How does experience relate to salary and the occupation list?
Experience does not change the salary you must pay. The offer must meet the Annual Market Salary Rate and the applicable income threshold regardless of the person’s background. Our guide to 482 and 494 salary requirements explains how those figures work, and our article on the Core Skills Occupation List explains how to check that your role is eligible.
What are the most common experience problems?
- Gaps in evidence. The person did the work but cannot show it, often because a former employer has closed or is unresponsive.
- Mismatched dates. The CV, references and payslips disagree.
- Informal or cash work. Experience that is hard to corroborate is hard to rely on.
- Experience in an unrelated field. The link to the nominated role is too thin.
- Assuming the visa is the only hurdle. Licensing, registration or a skills assessment may also apply.
An employer’s pre-nomination experience checklist
- Confirm the role is on the Core Skills Occupation List and the salary meets the thresholds.
- Ask the candidate for a detailed CV and the contact details of previous employers.
- Collect references, contracts and payment records covering at least 12 months.
- Check whether a skills assessment, licence or registration is needed.
- Confirm English language status or exemption.
- Have a registered migration agent review the file before you lodge.
You can also use our sponsor cost calculator to estimate total costs, and read the full employer’s complete guide to sponsoring an employee. For visa-specific information, see our Skills in Demand (482) visa page.
Frequently asked questions
How much work experience is needed for a 482 visa?
For the Core Skills stream, Home Affairs states at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field. Check the current requirements for your stream before lodging.
Can experience in a related field count?
Home Affairs refers to a related field, so it can. The connection to the nominated role still needs to be clear and supported by evidence.
Is a skills assessment always required?
No. Home Affairs says one is needed only if required for the occupation. Confirm whether your occupation is affected before nominating.
What evidence should an employer collect?
References, contracts, payslips or payment records and a consistent CV are the usual building blocks. The aim is for every document to tell the same story.
Does the experience requirement change the salary I must offer?
No. The salary must meet the Annual Market Salary Rate and the relevant income threshold whatever the person’s experience.
Can an employer guarantee the visa will be approved?
No. Decisions are made by the Department of Home Affairs, and no one can guarantee an outcome or processing time. A registered migration agent can help you prepare a complete, consistent application.
Not sure whether your candidate meets the 482 experience requirement? Book a consultation with Immigrad and we will review your situation before you commit to sponsorship.
This article is general information only, current as at November 2026, and is not personal migration advice. Sources: Department of Home Affairs, Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Core Skills stream and English proficiency pages.