Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): photo and application guide
Temporary employment in Australia for workers sponsored by an approved employer in a nominated skilled occupation. Replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024, keeping the same subclass number.
Quick answer
35 × 45 mm photo · set by the current Visa Pricing Table · biometrics at VAC
Photo specification is the shared Home Affairs 35 × 45 mm format. Biometric capture at the VAC for most nationalities. Fee set by the current Visa Pricing Table; differs by stream, dependant charges extra. Processing Variable; 50% within 1-4 months depending on stream and occupation. Last reviewed .
Application route
| Full name | Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Temporary employment in Australia for workers sponsored by an approved employer in a nominated skilled occupation. Replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024, keeping the same subclass number. |
| Application route | ImmiAccount online application after employer nomination |
| Fee | set by the current Visa Pricing Table; differs by stream, dependant charges extra — indexed every 1 July. Visa Pricing Table ↗ |
| Processing time | Variable; 50% within 1-4 months depending on stream and occupation |
| Biometric appointment | Yes for most nationalities — at a VAC |
| Official portal | Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) ↗ |
Photo specification
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) uses the shared Home Affairs biometric photo standard. The same photo file works for the ImmiAccount upload and the printed copy at the VAC.
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 32 to 36 mm chin to crown |
| Background | plain neutral or light grey that contrasts with the face, even illumination |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed (no smile preferred) |
| Glasses | Discouraged; remove for the shot |
| Digital file | JPEG, 70 KB to 3.5 MB; 1200 × 1600 px preferred |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Editing | Not allowed: do not remove background, moles, wrinkles, scars or red eyes Why → |
What to watch out for with the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Check which stream you are applying under before you start. The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024: the old Short-Term and Medium-Term streams are closed to new applications and now sit in the repealed-visas section of the Home Affairs site. The current streams are Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour agreement. The visa stays tied to the sponsoring employer and the nominated occupation, so changing employer requires a new nomination.
Frequently asked questions about the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
What size photo do I need for a Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)?
35 × 45 mm portrait. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) uses the shared Home Affairs biometric photo: head 32 to 36 mm chin to crown, plain light background, neutral expression.
How much does the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) cost?
set by the current Visa Pricing Table; differs by stream, dependant charges extra.
How long does the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) take to process?
Variable; 50% within 1-4 months depending on stream and occupation.
Is biometric capture mandatory for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)?
Yes for most nationalities — at a VAC. The biometric capture happens at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre.
Can I use the same photo for an Australian passport later?
Yes if you become an Australian citizen and apply for an Australian passport. The DFAT passport specification (35 × 45 mm) matches the Home Affairs visa specification. The photo is interchangeable across these documents.
Other Australian visa categories
Prepare your Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) photo
Upload a genuine, unedited portrait — Anfas.Pro crops it to 35 × 45 mm and sets the file size. Your face and background stay untouched, as Home Affairs requires.