From 482 Visa to Permanent Residency: Your Pathway to the 186 Visa

TL;DR

Don't panic. The 482 visa was designed with a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. If you plan ahead, you can make the transition — but timing, employer support, and occupation lists all matter.

Introduction

You are on a 482 visa and you want permanent residency in Australia. The good news: the pathway exists and is well established.

The main route is the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa. Two streams matter to 482 holders: the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and the Direct Entry stream. Each has different requirements depending on how long you have been working, who your employer is, and what occupation you hold.

This guide covers both streams, the requirements, the timelines, and what to do if your employer will not support you.

First: Confirm Where You Stand

Before planning your PR application, check your current visa details.

### Use VEVO

Log in to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system and confirm your visa grant date, expiry date, nominated occupation, and visa conditions.

### Check ImmiAccount

Your ImmiAccount shows your nomination details and your sponsoring employer. Make sure the information matches your current situation.

### What to look for

- Your visa grant date (this tells you how long you have been on the 482)
- Your nominated occupation and its ANZSCO code
- Your sponsoring employer's details
- Your visa expiry date (so you know how much time you have)

These details shape which stream you can apply under and when.

The TRT Stream: The Standard Pathway for 482 Holders

The Temporary Residence Transition stream is the most common route from 482 to PR. It is built for people working on a temporary skilled visa who want to settle permanently.

### Work Requirement: Two Years

You need at least two years of full-time work for an approved sponsor in your nominated occupation. This work must fall within the three years before your employer lodges the 186 nomination. The two-year rule replaced the previous three-year requirement after reforms in November 2023.

Important: only time spent working for an approved sponsor counts. Work for non-sponsoring employers does not count, even if the occupation was the same.

If you have changed employers during your 482 visa, your clock restarts with the new employer.

### Your Occupation Must Be on the Right List

Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which replaced the old MLTSSL and related lists in December 2024. It currently covers around 456 occupations. If your occupation has been removed since you got your 482, your TRT pathway may be blocked. Check the current CSOL early.

### Your Employer Must Nominate You

You cannot apply for the 186 on your own. Your employer must lodge a nomination with Home Affairs, confirming they want to offer you a permanent position. The employer must show the position is genuine and that the salary meets the threshold.

### Salary Threshold

The salary must meet or exceed both the relevant income threshold and the market rate, whichever is higher. The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD $73,150, rising to AUD $76,515 from 1 July 2026. If your salary falls short, the nomination will be refused.

### Age Requirement

You must be under 45 at the time of application. Exemptions exist for academics at Australian universities (Level B or above), government science researchers, and certain New Zealand citizen visa holders. If you are approaching 45, start the conversation with your employer now.

### English Language Requirement

You need competent English: IELTS 6.0 in each band, or equivalent PTE, TOEFL, OET, or Cambridge scores. UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand, and Irish passport holders are exempt.

The Direct Entry Stream: An Alternative Route

If you do not meet TRT requirements — perhaps you changed employers recently or have not worked long enough — the Direct Entry stream may work.

### How It Differs

Direct Entry does not require a prior 482 visa or a specific period of work for the nominating employer. It is open to anyone nominated by an approved employer, in Australia or overseas. But it has its own requirements.

### Skills Assessment Required

You need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. This is the same type of assessment used for points-tested visas like the subclass 189. Processing times vary by authority and can take several months.

### Work Experience

You need at least three years of post-qualification, full-time work experience in your nominated occupation. Unlike TRT, this can include overseas work and work for any employer.

### Same Age and English Rules

The under-45 age limit and English language requirements are the same as the TRT stream.

Planning Your Timeline

The biggest mistake 482 holders make is not thinking about PR early enough.

Months 1-6: Settle in and ask your employer whether they intend to support a 186 nomination.

Months 6-12: Confirm your salary meets the threshold and your occupation is still on the CSOL. Start collecting evidence — contracts, payslips, tax records.

Months 12-18: Prepare your application documents and get your English test done if needed.

Months 18-24: Your employer should be preparing to lodge the nomination. Work with them or a migration agent to get the application right.

Do not leave this to the last minute. If your employer nomination is refused, you will need time to respond or lodge a new one.

What If Your Employer Will Not Sponsor You for PR?

This is a difficult situation, but it happens. Some employers are happy to sponsor temporary visas but will not commit to permanent sponsorship.

Your options include:

Find a new employer who will sponsor you. This means changing employers on your 482 visa and restarting the two-year work period. It delays your PR but keeps the employer-sponsored pathway open.

Apply for a points-tested visa. The subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) and subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visas do not require employer sponsorship. You need enough points based on your age, English, qualifications, and experience. Workers from India, the UK, and the Philippines commonly use this route.

Consider regional options. The subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa does not need employer sponsorship if you are willing to live in a regional area. It leads to the subclass 191 permanent visa after three years.

Common Mistakes

Not checking the occupation list early enough. Occupations are added and removed from the CSOL. If yours is removed, your TRT pathway may close. Monitor the list.

Assuming your employer will nominate you. Have a direct conversation about their willingness to support a 186 nomination. Some employers do not understand the process or the cost.

Missing the salary threshold. If your salary does not meet the TSMIT or market rate, the nomination will fail. Negotiate an increase before your employer lodges the nomination.

Waiting until your 482 expires. If your 482 expires before the 186 is lodged, you will need another temporary visa or must leave Australia.

Ignoring the age cutoff. The under-45 rule is strict. If you are 43 or 44, every month counts.

Not keeping employment records. Keep contracts, payslips, tax returns, and superannuation statements. The TRT stream requires evidence of your work history.

When to Talk to a Migration Agent

Get professional advice if:

- You are unsure whether you meet the TRT or Direct Entry requirements
- Your employer is reluctant or unwilling to nominate you
- You have changed employers during your 482 and are unsure how the time counts
- Your occupation may have been removed from the CSOL
- You are approaching the age limit of 45

A MARA-registered migration agent can assess your circumstances, advise on the strongest pathway, and help you and your employer prepare a successful application.

Next Steps

Talk to your employer now. If you want PR through the 186, your employer must be on board. Have the conversation early — do not wait until your 482 is about to expire.

Check the occupation list. Confirm your nominated occupation is on the current Core Skills Occupation List. If it has been removed, you need to explore alternatives quickly.

Start gathering evidence. Collect payslips, tax records, employment contracts, and superannuation statements. You will need these to prove your work history.

Book your English test. If you are not exempt, get your IELTS, PTE, or equivalent test done early. Scores are valid for three years.

Get professional advice. A registered migration agent can review your situation and tell you exactly where you stand — and what steps to take next.

Find a MARA-registered migration agent and book a consultation today.

Related Resources

- Changing employers on a 482 visa in Australia
- Lost your sponsoring employer on a 482 visa?
- Employer nomination refused: your next steps
- Partner visa after a relationship breakdown
- Indian software engineers moving to Australia
- Indian civil engineers: pathways to Australia
- Filipino nurses: working in Australia
- UK to Australia visa options
- India to Australia visa guide

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How long do I need to work for my employer before I can apply for the 186 TRT stream?

You need at least two years of full-time work for an approved sponsor in your nominated occupation. This work must fall within the three years before your employer lodges the 186 nomination. The two-year requirement applies to 482 visa holders under the current rules, reduced from the previous three-year requirement.

Can I change employers and still get PR through the TRT stream?

Yes, but the two-year work period restarts with your new employer. Time spent with a previous sponsor does not count toward the TRT requirement for your new employer's nomination. This is why changing employers close to your eligibility date can significantly delay your PR timeline.

What happens if my employer will not nominate me for the 186?

You cannot force an employer to nominate you. If your current employer will not support your 186 application, you can try to find a new employer willing to sponsor you (the clock restarts), or consider independent pathways like the subclass 189, 190, or 491 visas that do not require employer sponsorship.

Is there an age limit for the 186 visa?

Yes. You must generally be under 45 years old at the time of application. There are limited exemptions for academics at university level B or above, government science researchers, and certain New Zealand citizen visa holders. If you are approaching 45, start the process early.

Do I need a skills assessment for the TRT stream?

No. The TRT stream does not require a formal skills assessment. Your two years of work for the sponsoring employer serves as the evidence of your skills. However, the Direct Entry stream does require a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.