Employer-Sponsored Visas: 482, 186, 494, DAMA

Employer-Sponsored VisasThere are four main types of Australian employer-sponsored visas:

• 482 SID (Skills in Demand) Temporary Skill Shortage Visa

• 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Permanent Residency Visa)

• 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

• DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) Visa

482 SID – Skills in Demand Temporary VisaAs of December 7, 2024, the Skills in Demand (SID) visa officially replaced the former 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.It is divided into three streams:

• Specialist Skills Stream

• Core Skills Stream

• Labour Agreements Stream

186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)This is a permanent residency visa designed to allow Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers to fill high-skill vacancies.There are three application streams:

1. Direct Entry Stream (DE stream) – for applicants applying directly for PR

2. Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRT stream) – for those transitioning from a 482 visa to PR

3. Labour Agreement Stream – for those sponsored under a labour agreement

494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)This is a temporary 5-year visa for skilled workers sponsored by an approved employer in a designated regional area of Australia.After holding the visa for 3 years, applicants may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

DAMA Visa (Designated Area Migration Agreement)The DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Federal Government and a regional, state, or territory authority. It facilitates employer sponsorship of skilled overseas workers through 482, 494, or 186 visas in specific (usually regional) areas.Seen as a lower-threshold employer-sponsored option, the DAMA offers exemptions or concessions on English, age, occupation, and work experience. Applicants are generally required to work in the designated area for 3 years before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residency in Australia.