SID 482 Visa Fees & Employer Costs Explained (2026 Guide)

Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa Costs: Complete Fee & SAF Levy Guide

Understanding the costs of employer-sponsored migration is important for both Australian employers and prospective visa applicants, since calculating the total Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa cost means accounting for the government charges at each stage of the process. These costs fall into two categories: those payable by the sponsoring employer, such as sponsorship and nomination fees and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, and those generally payable by the visa applicant, including the SID visa application fee and certain personal expenses.

Below, we outline the key government charges and financial considerations associated with SID 482 visa fees.

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Subclass 482 Visa Costs and SAF Levy Breakdown

Beginning with 482 visa fee schedules for 2026 from the Department of Home Affairs, there are typically three major costs associated with obtaining a subclass 482 visa, including sponsorship fee, nomination fee and the actual visa application charge. The cost structure in relation to these processes is updated by the Department of Home Affairs annually on July 1, as outlined in the table below. One of the largest components of the total costs of an employee being sponsored under the subclass 482 visa process is the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, which is usually paid at the time that the nomination application is submitted. The levy will be based upon both the nominated sponsor's annual revenue and how long the nominee has been nominated for. To get a clearer picture of your total sponsorship costs, use our Employer Sponsored Visa Fee Calculator to estimate the sponsorship, nomination and SAF levy fees based on your business's turnover and nominee's visa duration.

Payment Category	Fee / Charge Type	Responsible Party	Amount / Statutory Rate
Stage 1: Sponsorship	Standard Business Sponsorship Application Fee	Sponsoring Employer	$420
第 2 阶段：提名	提名费	Sponsoring Employer	$330
	SAF Levy (Turnover under $10M)	Sponsoring Employer	$1,200 per year of requested visa duration
	SAF Levy (Turnover $10M or more)	Sponsoring Employer	$1,800 per year of requested visa duration
第 3 阶段：签证申请	Primary Applicant Visa Application Charge	Visa Applicant	$4,015
	Adult Dependant (18+) Visa Application Charge	Visa Applicant	$4,015
	Child Dependant (Under 18)	Visa Applicant	$1,005

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Mandatory Employer vs. Worker Payment Allocation

Employer-sponsored migration is governed by Australia's migration laws regarding what employer-paid sponsorship related costs may be required of sponsored employees. Before engaging in sponsorship related contracts or an employment contract with an employee who will require a visa to work in Australia employers need to have knowledge of their responsibilities and obligations.

The employer is responsible for payment of the sponsorship application fee, nomination application fee and SAF Levy. The cost cannot be assigned to the sponsored employee, and, if there is any arrangement that requires the visa applicant to pay back those fees (including but limited to having them deducted from his/her salary) this can be considered a violation of the employer's obligations under the sponsorship program.

Unless the sponsoring employer elects to do so, it is normally the responsibility of the visa applicant to pay all individual SID visa applications and many other personal expenses such as medical exams, English language proficiency tests, police clearances etc.

Depending upon the specific situation, violations of the sponsorship program's requirements may incur compliance actions or penalties from the Department of Home Affairs.

Process and Payment Timelines

The payment process generally follows the different stages of the Subclass 482 application. Employers and applicants should account for the relevant costs before commencing the process.

1. Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS):

If the employer is not already an approved sponsor, it must first apply for Standard Business Sponsorship and pay the applicable government fee.

2. Nomination Lodgement:

The employer lodges the nomination application and pays the applicable nomination fee and SAF levy. The SAF levy is calculated according to the employer's annual turnover and the proposed duration of the nomination.

3. Visa Application Lodgement:

The prospective employee lodges the Subclass 482 visa application and pays the applicable visa application fee, together with any charges that apply to accompanying family members.

To help estimate the overall cost of the application, we recommend reviewing all applicable government charges and additional expenses before commencing the sponsorship process.

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Common Budgeting Pitfalls

One common issue when budgeting for a Subclass 482 application is underestimating the total sponsorship fee. The SAF levy is calculated according to the duration of the nomination and must generally be paid when the nomination is lodged.

For example, based on the rates outlined above, nominating a worker for four years would result in a SAF levy of $7,200 for an employer with an annual turnover of $10 million or more, or $4,800 for an employer with a turnover below $10 million.

Applicants should also account for the cost of accompanying family members. Adult dependents may incur a visa application charge equal to the primary applicant's charge, while a different charge applies to children under 18.

Other expenses may also arise during the application process, including:

Health examinations English language testing Police clearances Document translations Skills assessment or professional registration costs

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Navigating employer-sponsored migration requires an understanding of both the visa requirements and the financial obligations that apply to employers and applicants. At Australian Migration Lawyers, we assist Australian businesses and overseas workers with sponsorship arrangements, nomination applications and Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa applications.

Our migration lawyers can advise on sponsor obligations, review the proposed sponsorship arrangements and assist with preparing and lodging the relevant applications.

If you require legal advice about Subclass 482 sponsorship costs or the visa application process, contact Australian Migration Lawyers to arrange a consultation with our team.

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An employer nominating a worker under the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa must pay the applicable nomination fee and SAF levy. Based on the figures outlined above, the nomination fee is $330, while the SAF levy is $1,200 per year for employers with an annual turnover below $10 million and $1,800 per year for employers with an annual turnover of $10 million or more.

For example, a four-year nomination for an employer with an annual turnover of $10 million or more would involve a $330 nomination fee and a $7,200 SAF levy, resulting in total nomination charges of $7,530.

Employers should not transfer sponsorship, nomination or SAF levy costs to sponsored workers where doing so would breach their sponsorship obligations. This includes arrangements requiring a worker to reimburse the employer for these costs or deductions from the worker's salary to recover them.

Employers should obtain legal advice if they are unsure which sponsorship-related costs can be recovered from a worker.

The SAF levy may be refundable in limited circumstances prescribed by the relevant legislation and regulations. Whether a refund is available depends on the circumstances of the nomination and the reason for withdrawal, refusal or other outcome.

Employers should not assume that the SAF levy will be refunded if a nomination or visa application is unsuccessful. The applicable refund provisions should be considered in each case.

In addition to the SID visa application fee, applicants may need to budget for expenses such as health examinations, English language testing where required, police clearances and document translations. Other costs may also apply depending on the applicant's occupation, qualifications and individual circumstances.

Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa Costs: Complete Fee & SAF Levy Guide

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Subclass 482 Visa Costs and SAF Levy Breakdown

Mandatory Employer vs. Worker Payment Allocation

Process and Payment Timelines

Common Budgeting Pitfalls

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Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa Costs: Complete Fee & SAF Levy Guide

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Subclass 482 Visa Costs and SAF Levy Breakdown

Mandatory Employer vs. Worker Payment Allocation

Process and Payment Timelines

Common Budgeting Pitfalls

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