Core Skills stream
The mainstream option. Occupation must be on the CSOL. Salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) around AUD $73,150.
Core Skills · Specialist Skills · Essential Skills · 2026
The Skills in Demand visa has three streams.
Each stream has different occupation access, salary thresholds, and PR pathways. Choosing the right stream is the first strategic decision in any SID sponsorship. Here is the side-by-side comparison.
The three streams
Different doors, different workers.
Each stream was designed for specific workforce needs.
Specialist Skills stream
For high-earning senior roles. Salary at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) around AUD $135,000+. Occupation list not required. Open to any skilled role that pays above the threshold.
Essential Skills stream
For specific essential sectors identified by Jobs and Skills Australia. Lower salary thresholds. Narrow occupation scope. Typically agriculture, care economy, specific regional roles.
All three lead to PR
Each stream has pathway to Subclass 186 after qualifying period. Different pathway rules per stream.
Which stream fits
Three decision factors.
The right stream depends on occupation, salary, and role type.
Salary drives stream accessHigh salary opens Specialist Skills regardless of occupation. Mid salary + CSOL opens Core Skills. Low salary + essential sector opens Essential Skills.
Occupation on CSOLIf occupation is on the CSOL, Core Skills is usually default. Specialist Skills still available if salary is above SSIT.
Sector classificationEssential Skills is sector-specific. Not all low-wage roles qualify. Agriculture, care work, and other defined sectors.
PR timelineCore and Specialist Skills have clearer 2-year PR pathway via TRT to 186. Essential Skills PR pathway is narrower.
Specialist Skills details
The flexible high-earner stream.
Specialist Skills is the newest and most flexible stream. Worth understanding for senior roles.
No occupation list
Any skilled occupation qualifies if salary meets SSIT. Opens senior roles not on CSOL.
Faster processing
Specialist Skills applications generally process faster than Core Skills. Priority handling.
Strong PR pathway
Clear 2-year pathway to 186 permanent. Senior executives often target Specialist Skills.
The Specialist Skills stream is often overlooked by senior workers and their employers.
Many senior workers at or above the SSIT assume they need Core Skills stream with occupation list access. In fact, the Specialist Skills stream offers faster processing, occupation flexibility, and often simpler evidence. Always check if SSIT applies.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For SID stream selection, book with Sourabh Aggarwal or Brian Park.
Can I switch streams during my SID visa?
Not usually. The stream is set at nomination. Subsequent nominations can use different streams.
Is the salary threshold calculated by base or total?
Typically base salary before overtime. Allowances and bonuses treated variably. Check the current definition.
Do all three streams lead to 186?
Yes but with different rules. Core and Specialist Skills have clearer 186 TRT pathways. Essential Skills pathway is narrower.
Can Essential Skills cover aged care or childcare?
Possibly. Essential Skills is sector-specific. Aged care and childcare have been identified for some roles.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.