Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand): Overview for Nigerians ₦4,779,839
The Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) is one of the main routes Nigerians use to relocate to Australia. This overview covers the verified 2026 fees, processing time, and the documents you need to apply. All figures are pulled from our verified relocation database — no estimates.
Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦3,066,816 (~$2,223 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Not required | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦281,841 (~$204 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦1,431,181 (~$1,038 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦4,779,839 (~$3,465 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 14 July 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦4,779,839 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦3,066,816: Paid to the Australia immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Language test — ₦281,841: IELTS Academic or General, TOEFL, or country-equivalent test. Book your slot in Lagos or Abuja well in advance — popular centres fill 6–8 weeks ahead.
- Credential evaluation — ₦1,431,181: A third-party body (WES, ACS, Engineers Australia, SAQA, or equivalent) verifies that your Nigerian degree and certificates meet Australia’s standards. Allow 4–8 weeks for this process.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: 1–4 months (median processing)
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates, language test result, credential evaluation report.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦4,779,839 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 1–4 months (median processing).
Expert tip
Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand)
The 482 is Australia's main employer-sponsored temporary work visa, recently rebranded as 'Skills in Demand.' Your employer pays the sponsorship fee (A$420) and nomination fee (A$330), plus the Skilling Australians Fund levy (A$1,200–$1,800/year) — these costs cannot legally be passed to you. The minimum salary threshold rises to A$79,499 from 1 July 2026 for the core skills stream. After 2 years on a 482, you can transition to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 visa. Key industries sponsoring Nigerians include healthcare, IT, engineering, and mining. No points test required — but you still need a skills assessment and competent English (IELTS 5.0+ per band or equivalent).
Where Nigerians settle in Australia
Once your Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) is approved, most Nigerians head to Sydney or Melbourne. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Sydney: 1-bedroom rent ₦2,456,319/month · Lagos–Sydney flights from ~$1,200 · Nigerian community: Large
- Melbourne: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,844,867/month · Lagos–Melbourne flights from ~$1,200 · Nigerian community: Large
- Brisbane: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,905,057/month · Lagos–Brisbane flights from ~$1,250 · Nigerian community: Medium
Life in Sydney
Sydney is Australia's most expensive city — a 1-bed apartment averages A$750/week ($2,130/month), and that's not even in the CBD. Nigerian community hubs are in Blacktown, Liverpool, and Parramatta in Western Sydney, where rents drop 20–30% compared to the inner city. There are no direct flights from Lagos — you'll connect through Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or Doha (Qatar Airways), with total travel time around 22–25 hours. Sydney has the strongest job market in finance, tech, and healthcare, but your money stretches much further in other cities. Get an Opal card for public transport — weekly caps keep costs around A$50.
10% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose Australia as their destination. Average Japa Score: 61/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦500K–₦1M.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) cost for Nigerians moving to Australia?
- Total government fees for the Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) are ₦4,779,839 (about $3,465). This covers the visa application fee, language test of ₦281,841, credential evaluation of ₦1,431,181, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) is 1–4 months (median processing). Apply from the Australia High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- What documents do I need to apply for the Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand) from Nigeria?
- You will need a valid Nigerian international passport (at least 6 months validity beyond your intended travel date), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and supporting evidence of eligibility. A language test result (IELTS or equivalent) is required — budget ₦281,841 and book early as test centres in Lagos and Abuja fill up fast. A credential evaluation (₦1,431,181) from an approved body verifies your Nigerian qualifications for Australia authorities.
- Where do most Nigerians settle after relocating to Australia?
- Sydney is the most popular destination for Nigerians relocating to Australia. Average 1-bedroom rent is ₦2,456,319 per month. The Nigerian community in Sydney is smaller but active; diaspora associations and online groups help new arrivals settle quickly.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Australia.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 14 July 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02