Top 10 Countries by 482 Employer Sponsored Visa (2025/26)
Ever wondered where most employer-sponsored migrants to Australia actually come from? The Department of Home Affairs publishes this data every quarter, and the latest numbers tell a clear story.
A quick note on naming first. The subclass 482 visa was officially replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa in December 2024. Home Affairs still reports on this visa stream under the “Temporary resident (skilled)” category, so the numbers below cover both the tail end of the old 482 and its SID successor. If you want the full picture of how that transition works, we covered it in our Skills in Demand Visa guide.
The program has grown fast
As of 31 December 2025, 112,640 people held a primary Temporary Skill Shortage or Skills in Demand visa in Australia. That is a 29.2% jump from the same point the year before, according to Home Affairs.
Top 10 countries by visas granted in 2025/26
This ranks primary visas granted in the 2025-26 program year, up to 31 December 2025:
- India: 6,220
- Philippines: 4,710
- United Kingdom: 3,750
- Nepal: 2,150
- China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau): 1,570
- Ireland: 1,560
- Sri Lanka: 1,210
- Brazil: 900
- South Africa: 720
- Pakistan: 690
India, the Philippines and the UK have held the top three spots for several reporting periods in a row. Together they account for close to two-thirds of all new grants in this window.
Top 10 countries by visa holders already in Australia
This ranks the total number of primary visa holders in Australia as of 31 December 2025, which includes everyone still on this visa, not just new grants:
- India: 17,660
- Philippines: 17,280
- United Kingdom: 11,570
- Nepal: 6,480
- China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau): 4,750
- Ireland: 4,600
- Sri Lanka: 4,250
- South Africa: 3,380
- Brazil: 2,880
- South Korea: 2,620
Notice South Korea appears in the holders list but not the fresh grants list, while Pakistan appears in grants but not the top 10 holders. That tells you South Korea has a larger existing base of visa holders relative to its current intake, while Pakistan’s numbers are newer and growing.
What this means if you are applying
If you are from one of these top countries, you are part of the largest applicant pools, which usually means more competition for each sponsored role, but it also means employers, recruiters and migration agents already have plenty of experience processing applications from your country.
If you are from a country outside this top 10, that is not a disadvantage. Visa outcomes come down to your occupation, your employer, and whether your role sits on the Core Skills Occupation List, not your nationality.
Either way, understanding how sponsorship and the pathway to permanent residency fit together matters more than where you rank on this list. Our guides on 482 Visa to PR Australia, 3 pathways to permanent residency, and the 180-day job search rule under the SID visa walk through what actually determines your outcome.
FAQ
Which country gets the most 482 employer sponsored visas to Australia? India, with 6,220 primary visas granted in the 2025-26 program year to 31 December 2025, and 17,660 total primary visa holders already in the country.
Is the subclass 482 visa still active in 2026? The 482 visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa in December 2024. Home Affairs continues to report on this visa category as “Temporary resident (skilled),” which covers both.
How many people currently hold a 482 or Skills in Demand visa in Australia? 112,640 primary visa holders as of 31 December 2025, up 29.2% from the year before, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
Does my nationality affect my chances of employer sponsorship in Australia? Not directly. Your occupation, your employer’s sponsorship eligibility, and whether your role is on the Core Skills Occupation List matter far more than which country you come from.
