Migrating to Australia as a blue-collar worker in the manufacturing or construction industry requires navigating the country’s skilled visa system. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the most common Australian visa options in 2025 for such workers, focusing on employer-sponsored pathways. We will cover the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) and key employer-sponsored visas (such as the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Subclass 494), excluding working holiday and student visas. 

The guide is structured to highlight eligibility criteria, application processes, visa durations, costs, and pathways to permanent residency, all in a clear, professional format.

Who is this guide for: Blue-collar professionals (e.g. tradespeople, machine operators, technicians, laborers) in manufacturing and construction fields seeking Australian work opportunities. These roles often require employer sponsorship due to skill shortages in Australia​. By understanding the right visa options, workers and employers can facilitate a smoother migration process.

How to use this guide: We begin with an overview of relevant visa options and then dive into detailed sections on eligibility, application steps, and costs for each. Finally, we discuss how these visas can lead to permanent residency, and we summarize key takeaways. All information is up-to-date for 2025 and includes references to official sources for verification.

Overview of Visa Options

Australia’s immigration program offers several employer-sponsored visas tailored for skilled workers. Below we outline the three main visa options relevant to skilled trades in manufacturing and construction: the Temporary Skill Shortage visa for short-term work, the Employer Nomination Scheme for permanent residency, and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa for regional work opportunities. Each serves a different purpose, but all require a willing Australian employer to sponsor the overseas worker.

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)

The TSS 482 visa is a temporary work visa that allows Australian employers to sponsor foreign skilled workers to fill positions they can’t otherwise find qualified Australians for​. It was introduced in 2018 to replace the old 457 visa​. For blue-collar workers, this visa is often the first step to work in Australia’s manufacturing or construction sectors when an employer has identified a skill shortage.

• Validity: Depending on the stream and occupation, the TSS visa is valid for up to four years (or up to two years for short-term stream roles)​. There is no maximum age limit to apply for a 482 visa​.
• Streams: There are three streams under TSS​:
  • Short-Term Stream – for occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List, granting up to 2 years (renewable once onshore)​.
  • Medium-Term Stream – for occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Skills List, granting up to 4 years and eligible for renewal or transition to permanent residency​.
  • Labour Agreement Stream – for cases where an employer has a special labour agreement with the government (industry-specific agreements)​.
• Use Case: Suitable for employers needing to quickly fill skilled trade positions with overseas workers. For example, a construction company can sponsor a foreign carpenter or welder on a TSS visa if the role is on the skilled list and local labor isn’t available.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)

The ENS 186 visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers sponsored (nominated) by an Australian employer​. This visa allows you to live and work in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident from day one. It’s often used after a worker has proven themselves on a temporary visa, but it also has a direct entry pathway for those who meet strict criteria.

• Validity: The 186 visa grants permanent resident status upon approval​. This means you can live and work in Australia permanently and eventually apply for citizenship.
• Streams: There are three streams to qualify​:
  • Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream – for workers who have already been on a 457/TSS visa with the same employer for a certain period (usually 3 years, though this was temporarily lowered to 2 years in recent policy updates)​. The employer can then nominate the worker for PR.
  • Direct Entry Stream – for applicants outside Australia or those who haven’t worked for the employer for the full period. Requires a positive skills assessment in the occupation and generally at least 3 years of relevant work experience​.
  • Labour Agreement Stream – for workers sponsored under a labour agreement (a special case where standard requirements might be relaxed as per an agreement).
• Use Case: Suitable for experienced skilled workers who either have an employer ready to sponsor them for immediate permanent residency, or who have proven their skills on a temporary visa and are ready to settle in Australia long-term. For instance, a manufacturing plant might directly sponsor an experienced mechanical fitter for a 186 visa to fill a long-term position.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)

The Subclass 494 visa is a regional work visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for up to five years​. It’s provisional with a pathway to permanent residency. Employers in regional areas use this visa to address local labor shortages when they can’t find suitable Australian workers.

• Validity: The 494 visa is valid for 5 years from grant​. During this time, visa holders must live and work in a regional area (defined as anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) under specific visa conditions​.
• Streams:
  • Employer-Sponsored Stream – the common pathway where a regional employer nominates a skilled worker for a position that is likely to exist for at least 5 years​.
  • Labour Agreement Stream – for regional employers with a labour agreement, used in special circumstances.
  • (Note: There is also a Subsequent Entrant stream for family of 494 holders, but this guide focuses on the main applicant.)
• Use Case: Ideal for skilled tradespeople willing to work outside the major cities. For example, a welding specialist might be sponsored by a mining equipment manufacturer in a regional town under the 494 visa. In return for working in the region and meeting certain requirements, the worker can later transition to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after a few years​.

Summary of Key Visa Features

Visa & (Subclass)	Type	Duration	Highlights
Temporary Skill Shortage (482)	Temporary (Employer-Sponsored)	Up to 1–4 years​ (depending on stream)	Allows skilled workers to fill short-term skill gaps in Australia. Requires sponsorship by an approved employer and a job on the skilled occupation list​. No age limit applies. Medium-term stream can lead to PR via ENS 186​.
Employer Nomination Scheme (186)	Permanent (Employer-Sponsored)	Permanent Residency (no expiry)​	Enables skilled workers to become Australian permanent residents if nominated by an employer. Applicant must generally be under 45 and meet skill/experience and English requirements​.Can be applied for directly or after time on a 482.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494)	Provisional (Employer-Sponsored Regional)	Up to 5 years​	For skilled workers in regional areas. Requires a regional employer sponsor, occupation on relevant list, <45 years old​, 3+ years experience and skill assessment​. Offers a pathway to PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years of regional work​.

Eligibility Requirements

Each visa has specific requirements that applicants and employers must meet. Below we break down the key eligibility criteria common to these visas, and note where requirements differ between the TSS 482, ENS 186, and SESR 494 visa categories.

Common Criteria for Employer-Sponsored Visas

Job Offer and Sponsorship

All these visas require an Australian job offer and employer sponsorship. The employer must be (or become) an approved sponsor and nominate the overseas worker for a specific skilled position​. For example, a construction company must nominate you for a role (e.g. electrician) that they genuinely need to fill, and they must show they cannot find an Australian for that job.

Skilled Occupation

The position must be on the relevant skilled occupation list for the visa. Australia maintains lists of occupations eligible for sponsorship. Manufacturing and construction trades (e.g. welders, carpenters, electricians, machinists) are generally on these lists. (As of late 2024, the Short-Term and Medium-Term lists have been consolidated into a single expanded list of eligible occupations, simplifying employer-sponsored visas)​. Always verify that your occupation is eligible for the specific visa subclass you are targeting.

Skills and Experience

You must have the skills, qualifications, and work experience to perform the job typically evidenced by qualifications and references.

• For a TSS 482 visa, you are required to have at least 2 years of work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field​. This ensures you are not newly graduated or untrained.
• For a 494 visa, you need a minimum of 3 years full-time work experience in the nominated occupation​, reflecting the higher bar for this provisional visa.
• Some visas/streams also require a formal skills assessment by an authorized assessing body (especially for trades and for the ENS 186 Direct Entry or 494). For instance, a carpenter from overseas may need their qualifications assessed by Trades Recognition Australia to confirm they meet Australian standards​.

English Proficiency

All skilled visa applicants must demonstrate a certain level of English ability (unless exempt by being from an English-speaking country or having years of English-language education). Generally:

• TSS 482 visas require Vocational English (e.g. IELTS overall 5.0, with at least 4.5 in each band) for the main applicant, or higher for certain occupations​. This is to ensure you can safely work in an English-speaking environment.
• ENS 186 and SESR 494 visas usually require Competent English (e.g. IELTS 6.0 in each band) for the main applicant​. If an adult dependent (spouse) has less than Functional English, a second visa charge is payable instead (to encourage English learning)​.
• English test results typically must be less than 3 years old at the time of application. Common tests accepted include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and OET.

Health and Character

All applicants must meet Australia’s health standards (undergo a medical exam) and be of good character (police clearance certificates are required)​. Serious health issues or criminal histories can result in visa refusal.

Salary and Work Conditions

The job must offer a salary at least equal to the Australian market rate for that role, and not lower than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). As of 2025, the TSMIT is AUD $73,000 per year (recently raised in July 2024)​. In practice, this means your employer must pay you what an Australian would earn in the job and meet the minimum salary floor set by the government. This protects against underpayment of foreign workers.

Visa-Specific Criteria

While the above are general requirements, note these important differences for each visa:

TSS Visa (482) Specifics

There is no age limit for the 482 visa​. This makes it accessible to older, experienced tradespeople. However, it is a temporary visa; if your goal is eventual permanent residency, you’ll want to ensure you qualify for a pathway (typically via the Medium-Term stream leading to ENS 186). Also, your occupation must be on the prescribed list for either the short-term or medium-term stream as applicable. Labor Market Testing (proof the employer advertised the job locally) is generally required for 482 nominations unless exempt.

ENS Visa (186) Specifics

Age is a key factor – you must be under 45 years old to apply for a 186 visa (exceptions apply for certain high-salary or academic positions, or if you held certain visas on specified dates)​. You also need to meet the criteria of one of the streams:

• For the Temporary Residence Transition stream, you must have worked with the nominating employer on a 457 or 482 visa for the required period (usually 3 years; some exemptions allowed 2 years)​. This stream does not require a new skills assessment since you’ve proven yourself on the job.
• For the Direct Entry stream, you must obtain a positive skills assessment in your occupation and have at least 3 years of relevant work experience​. Your occupation also needs to be on the list of eligible occupations for direct entry (generally the Medium/Long-term skills list).
• You must also satisfy English at Competent level (IELTS 6 or equivalent) unless exempt (e.g., citizen of UK, USA, etc.). Higher English might be needed for professional roles, but most trades satisfy Competent English.
• The employer’s nomination for 186 includes committing to give you a permanent, full-time position in the occupation.

SESR Visa (494) Specific

You must be under 45 at time of application (with limited exceptions)​. A skills assessment is mandatory in nearly all cases for the 494 visa​, given its intent to lead to residency. You also need 3+ years of skilled work experience in the field​. 

The job must be located in a designated regional area and approved by a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) – this is an extra step where a local authority confirms the job is genuine and fits regional needs. Importantly, regionalmeans you cannot be based in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane on this visa​ (other cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast are considered regional as of recent definitions). 

Once on a 494, you cannot easily transfer to another skilled visa; you’re expected to stay in regional work for at least 3 years. However, you can change employers in regional Australia if needed, provided the new employer nominates you and all criteria continue to be met.

Application Process and Costs

Applying for an Australian employer-sponsored visa involves multiple steps and fees. It’s a joint effort between the employer and the visa applicant. Below we outline the typical application process and break down the costs (in Australian dollars) for the TSS 482, ENS 186, and SESR 494 visas.

Application Process

These three steps can be done in parallel to some extent – an employer often submits the sponsorship and nomination around the same time as you prepare your visa application, to streamline the timeline. All three steps must be finalized and approved for the visa to be granted. Typically, the processing times vary: TSS visas might be processed in weeks or a few months, whereas ENS and 494 visas (leading to PR) often take several months up to a year or more, due to the extra scrutiny.

1. Sponsorship Application (by Employer)

The employer must become an approved Standard Business Sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs. If the employer has never sponsored someone before, they submit a sponsorship application to prove they are a legitimate, lawfully operating business in Australia. This step ensures the company agrees to meet certain obligations (like treating the visa holder like any other employee and not charging recruitment costs to the worker)​. 

An approved sponsorship is typically valid for 5 years​. (Large, known companies may already be approved sponsors; smaller companies may do this concurrently with nomination.)

2. Nomination Application (by Employer)

For each visa applicant, the employer lodges a nomination to allocate one of their sponsorship positions to that foreign worker. The nomination specifies the occupation, salary, and work location for the role. The employer must demonstrate that the position is genuine and they cannot fill it locally​. 

This often includes evidence of advertising (Labour Market Testing) and that the salary meets market rates and TSMIT. For a 494 visa nomination, the employer also needs approval from a Regional Certifying Body, confirming the job meets regional needs. Only after a nomination is approved (or at least lodged) can the visa applicant proceed to the next step. (Note: As of 2025, nomination applications for 494 visas do not incur a fee from Home Affairs​, unlike other visa types.)

3. Visa Application (by the Worker)

The prospective employee (visa applicant) lodges their visa application online (usually via ImmiAccount). This involves submitting personal documents and evidence to meet all criteria: passport, qualifications, employment references, English test results, skills assessment (if required), police certificates, health exams, etc.​ You must apply for the visa within 6 months of the nomination approval​ (for 494, specifically) and include family members in this stage if you want them to get visas as dependents. 

Once submitted, the visa application is assessed by the Department of Home Affairs. You should not commence work until the visa is granted (unless you already hold another visa with work rights).

Costs and Fees

Applying for these visas involves several fees. Below is a breakdown of the key costs in 2025 (in AUD). Keep in mind that fees can change with each financial year, and there may be additional incidental costs (like translations or agent fees) not listed here. We’ll cover government charges most relevant to skilled workers and their sponsoring employers:

Standard Business Sponsorship Fee (Employer) 

$420 – This is a one-time fee for the employer’s sponsorship application (valid 5 years)​. An employer pays this to become an approved sponsor. (If the employer is already a sponsor, this is not needed for each new nomination.)

Nomination Fee (Employer)

• For TSS 482 visas, the nomination application fee is $330​ per nominee.
• For ENS 186 visas, the nomination fee is $540​. (Note: if the nomination is under the Labour Agreement or TRT stream in a regional area, this fee might be waived​.)
• For SESR 494 visas, Home Affairs charges no nomination fee​ (to encourage regional hiring). However, there may be a Regional Certifying Body assessment fee – some RCBs charge a fee to evaluate the nomination (this varies by region, for example, some around $200–$600, but the NT example shown charges none​).

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy (Employer)

This is a training levy the employer pays into a government fund for each nominee, introduced to support training of Australians.

• For TSS 482: The SAF levy is paid per year of visa requested. Employers with annual turnover under $10 million pay $1,200 per year of visa; those $10M or above pay $1,800 per year​. For example, sponsoring someone on a 4-year 482 visa would cost a small business $4,800 in SAF levy.
• For ENS 186: It’s a one-time levy since the visa is permanent. $3,000 for small businesses, or $5,000 for larger businesses (≥$10M turnover)​.
• For SESR 494: It’s also one-time (for the nomination’s 5-year period). $3,000 for small employers, or $5,000for large employers​.
• The SAF levy is paid at nomination time and is not refundable if the visa is refused. Employers cannot pass this cost to the employee by law​.

Visa Application Charge (Worker)

This is the fee the visa applicant pays to Home Affairs when lodging the visa application. The cost varies by visa type:

• TSS 482 visa: For the Short-Term stream, the primary applicant fee is $1,495​. For the Medium-Term stream, the primary fee is $3,115​. (These increased slightly in July 2024 due to indexation.) If you include family, each additional adult is the same fee as the primary for that stream, and each child is about 25% of the primary fee (e.g. $780 for a child on a medium-term stream)​.
• ENS 186 visa: The primary applicant fee is $4,770​. Additional adult family members cost $2,385 each, and each child is $1,190​.
• SESR 494 visa: The fee is similar to the ENS since it’s a long-duration visa. The primary applicant fee is $4,770 (matching the 186 PR fee)​ after the July 2024 fee increase. Additional adults cost $2,385 and children $1,190 (same as 186)​. If the adult applicant or dependent has less than functional English, an additional second installment charge of $4,890 is required later in the process​ (this usually applies if a spouse cannot show English ability; it’s essentially an English tuition fee).

These visa fees are generally paid by the applicant (often the worker), though sometimes employers agree to cover or reimburse them as part of relocation incentives. Be clear with your employer on who pays what.

Ancillary Costs

Other expenses include skills assessments fees (vary by assessing authority, often $300-$1,000+ for trades assessments), English test fees ($300), medical examinations ($300+ depending on tests needed), and police clearance certificates (costs vary by country). If using a migration agent or lawyer, professional fees would also apply separately.

Cost Example: If you are a welder sponsored on a 4-year TSS (482) Medium-Term visa with your spouse, a large employer might pay $330 nomination + $7,200 SAF (4 yrs at $1,800/yr). You (the applicant) would pay $3,115 for yourself + $3,115 for your spouse’s visa fee​, plus medicals and incidental costs. If later transitioning to a 186 PR, the employer pays a new nomination and SAF, and you pay the $4,770 PR visa fee, etc. It’s important to plan for these expenses.

Note: Visa application charges are indexed annually – expect slight increases each July​. Always check the latest fee schedule on the Department of Home Affairs website or the Visa Pricing Estimator​ before lodging.

Pathways to Permanent Residency

One of the goals for many foreign workers is to obtain Australian Permanent Residency (PR), which grants long-term stability and benefits. Among the visas we’ve discussed, the ENS 186 is already a permanent visa, while the TSS 482 and the Regional 494 are temporary/provisional but can lead to PR through set pathways. In this section, we explain how blue-collar workers can progress toward permanent residency.

Transition from TSS 482 to ENS 186

If you start on a Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa, there are pathways to “upgrade” to permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (186):

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream to 186

After working on a 482 visa for your sponsoring employer for a required period, your employer can nominate you for a 186 visa (PR). Traditionally, this period was 3 years on a Medium-Term stream 482​. Recent changes have allowed some 482 holders to become eligible after 2 years (especially those who remained and worked in Australia during the pandemic or whose occupation was in critical demand). 

As of 2025, the government has signaled an intent to make employer-sponsored PR more accessible, so check current policy – the trend is easing the transition requirements. Essentially, if you prove your value to the employer over a couple of years, you can move to PR with that employer’s support. (Workers on the Short-Term stream 482, which previously had no PR pathway, may also gain access to PR if their occupation is now on the expanded list or if they move to a regional role.)

Direct Entry to 186

In some cases, a blue-collar worker might skip the temporary stage and go straight to a 186 permanent visa. This requires meeting all Direct Entry criteria (including a skills assessment and significant experience) and finding an employer willing to directly sponsor you for PR. For example, a highly experienced heavy machinery mechanic with 8-10 years experience might be sponsored directly for a 186 if the employer needs a permanent staff member and the candidate meets all requirements. 

Direct entry is stringent but possible​.

After PR Grant

Once on a subclass 186 visa, you are a permanent resident. You can live anywhere in Australia and work for any employer (though morally one is expected to work for the nominating employer for a reasonable period). As a permanent resident, you enjoy benefits like Medicare (public health insurance) and can eventually apply for citizenship after fulfilling residence requirements​.

From Regional Provisional to PR (Subclass 191)

For those on the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) visa, the dedicated pathway to PR is the Skilled Regional Permanent Residence (Subclass 191):

Time and Income Requirement

You become eligible for subclass 191 PR after at least 3 years on your 494 visa, and you must show that you have met a minimum taxable income each year (for the last 3 years). The income threshold for the 191 visa aligns with the TSMIT; it was $53,900/year but increased to $73,000 from 1 July 2024​. This means you need to have earned at or above that threshold in each of three years on your 494. This requirement ensures regional visa holders are self-sufficient and contributing economically before getting PR.

Compliance with Conditions

You must have complied with all the conditions of your 494 visa – mainly, living and working in regional areas only, and working in your nominated occupation. If you’ve switched employers, you stayed within regional Australia and had new nominations approved. Any breach (like moving to Sydney or doing unauthorized work) could reset the clock or bar the PR pathway​. 

Assuming conditions are met, the 191 application is straightforward – you no longer need a sponsoring employer for the PR stage; it’s an independent application proving your 3-year work and income record​.

ENS 186 Alternative

In some cases, 494 visa holders might also become eligible for an ENS 186 visa before hitting 3 years. For example, if the government allows pathway from 494 to 186 via TRT (this has been considered in policy discussions). However, since the 494’s intent is a direct path to 191, most will use the 191 route. 

The 186 route could be relevant if, say, a 494 holder moves to a non-regional employer after 3 years and that employer sponsors them for 186 (if rules permit). Always seek advice if considering switching pathways.

General Skilled Migration Alternative (Points-Based PR)

Although this guide excludes non-employer visas, it’s worth noting that skilled trades workers sometimes pursue independent skilled visas (Subclass 189 Skilled Independent or 190 State Nominated visas) if they gain sufficient points (for age, experience, etc.). However, those pathways are points-tested and outside the employer sponsorship scope. Many manufacturing and construction workers find the employer-sponsored route more straightforward since it doesn’t rely on points and remains a major pillar of Australia’s immigration program​.

In summary, permanent residency is achievable for blue-collar workers who start on temporary visas, provided they plan their pathway. The TSS 482 Medium-Term stream was designed to transition to ENS 186 PR, and the 494 visa was explicitly created with a 191 PR pathway in mind. Employers often prefer to keep good workers long-term, so don’t hesitate to discuss PR sponsorship with your employer when you near eligibility. 

Once you become a permanent resident, you enjoy the freedom and security to work and live in Australia indefinitely, with the option to sponsor family members in the future and to apply for citizenship.

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Key Takeaways

• Employer Sponsorship is Key: For skilled trades in construction and manufacturing, the main visas (482 TSS, 186 ENS, 494 Regional) all require a sponsoring Australian employer. Securing a job offer and an employer willing to sponsor is the first and most crucial step..
• 482 TSS – Quick Entry, Temporary Solution: The subclass 482 TSS visa allows you to start working in Australia on a temporary basis (up to 4 years)​. It has no age limit and relatively modest English requirements, making it accessible. However, its usefulness as a pathway to PR depends on your occupation – ensure your occupation is on a medium-term or Skills in Demand list if you want to transition to permanent residency.
• 186 ENS – Direct Permanent Residency: The subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa grants instant PRfor those who qualify​. It’s ideal if you meet the experience and skills criteria and have an employer ready to sponsor you permanently. Many workers transition to this after a few years on a 482. Remember the critical limit of 45 years of age for eligibility (with limited exceptions)​.
• 494 Regional – Work in Regions for PR: The subclass 494 visa is a 5-year regional work visa requiring you to live and work outside big cities​. It’s a great option if you’re open to regional Australia, offering a built-in PR pathway via the subclass 191 after 3 years​. Make sure you’re prepared to meet the income and regional residence requirements.
• Eligibility Must-Haves: All these visas demand that you have genuine skills and experience in your trade, sufficient English proficiency, and good health/character. Typically, at least 2–3 years of work experience is needed​, and some trades require a formal skills assessment. Check that your occupation is on the current skilled lists and that you meet the salary threshold (TSMIT ~$73k) for sponsorship​.
• Costs Involved: Visa applications are not cheap. For example, a 482 visa can cost a few thousand dollars in fees​, and a 186 or 494 visa is around $4,770 for the main applicant​​. Employers also incur significant costs (sponsorship, nomination fees, and training levies) to sponsor you​. It’s useful to clarify who will bear which costs before proceeding.
• Pathway Planning: Think of your migration as a step-by-step journey. A temporary 482 visa can be a stepping stone to a 186 PR visa​. If you go the regional route with a 494, be prepared to commit at least 3 years to that region to earn your PR​. Always stay informed on the latest rules – Australia is currently prioritizing employer-sponsored visas in its migration program, which is good news for skilled workers​
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By understanding these key points and preparing accordingly, blue-collar professionals in manufacturing and construction can successfully navigate Australian visa options in 2025. With the right visa and a bit of patience, you can convert your hard-earned skills into a new life in Australia and eventually enjoy the benefits of permanent residency.

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