Physicist — Subclass 482 Pathway
Skills in Demand visa · 1-4 years (Specialist Skills, Core Skills, or Essential Skills stream)
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand visa
- Points test
- Not points-tested
- Sponsor
- Employer sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSLSTSOLROLCSOL
- Base fee
- from $1,455 short-term / from $3,035 medium-term (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~1-4 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Physicist for migration purposes is handled by: VETASSESS, ACPSEM.
Skills assessment is only required for some occupation/passport combinations — the assessing body is the same one listed for the ANZSCO code.
Physicist × Subclass 482 — pathway overview
Physicist (ANZSCO 234914) qualifies for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa, a temporary employer-sponsored pathway that allows Australian businesses to address skill shortages by sponsoring overseas professionals in physics and physical sciences. This visa is not points-tested; an approved employer sponsor is the central requirement. Applicants must hold a genuine offer of employment from an approved Standard Business Sponsor. A skills assessment from Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) is required to demonstrate that the applicant meets Australian competency standards for the role of Physicist. The employer must confirm that the position aligns with the nominated occupation. Key requirements include research or applied professional experience in a physics discipline, English language proficiency meeting the Department of Home Affairs threshold, and clearance of health and character requirements. Visa holders receive temporary work rights tied to the sponsoring employer and may pursue permanent residency pathways while in Australia, including employer-nominated schemes. Fees and processing times vary based on the applicant's occupation list category. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 482. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Nominated by an approved Australian sponsor
- Position pays at least the relevant Core Skills Income Threshold
- At least one year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation
- Positive skills assessment if required for the occupation/passport combination
- Vocational English (IELTS 5.0 in each component or equivalent)
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Physicist
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 189Details →Skilled Independent visa
Permanent points-tested visa for workers not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state.
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 485Details →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Physicist
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.