How to Change Employers on a 482 Visa in Australia

TL;DR

Don't panic. You can change employers on a 482 visa, but your new employer must lodge a fresh nomination for you — and they must be an approved sponsor. There is no automatic job portability like the US H-1B system.

Introduction

You have a 482 visa and you want to change jobs. Maybe your workplace is not a good fit. Maybe you have been offered something better. Maybe your employer is downsizing.

Switching employers on a 482 visa is possible. But it is not as simple as handing in your notice and starting somewhere new on Monday. Your visa ties you to a specific employer and a specific nominated occupation. Changing either one triggers a formal process involving your new employer and the Department of Home Affairs.

If you have lost your sponsoring employer unexpectedly, that guide covers your immediate rights. This article is for people planning a move to a new employer.

First: Confirm Your Current Visa Details

Before you make any decisions, check your visa conditions and status.

### Use VEVO

Log in to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system with your passport details. Check your visa expiry date, your nominated occupation, and your visa conditions — especially condition 8607.

### Check ImmiAccount

Your ImmiAccount shows your visa history, your current nomination details, and any applications in progress.

### What to look for

- Your visa expiry date
- Your nominated occupation (ANZSCO code)
- Condition 8607 (restricts you to working for your sponsoring employer in your nominated occupation)
- Whether your current nomination is still active

Understanding these details tells you exactly where you stand and what your new employer needs to do.

How Changing Employers Actually Works

### Step 1: Your New Employer Must Be an Approved Sponsor

Your new employer must hold Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) approval from Home Affairs. If they do not have this, they must apply first.

The employer can lodge the sponsorship application and the nomination at the same time, but the sponsorship must be approved before the nomination can be decided. If your new employer has never sponsored anyone before, expect additional time.

### Step 2: The New Employer Lodges a Nomination

Once approved as a sponsor, the employer lodges a nomination for you. The nomination names you, specifies the occupation (which must be on the relevant occupation list), and includes details about the role, salary, and terms.

The salary must meet or exceed both the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) 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. Specialist roles have a separate threshold of AUD $141,210.

The employer must also complete labour market testing to show they tried to recruit an Australian worker first.

### Step 3: Wait for Nomination Approval

Nomination processing times vary. Straightforward cases with complete documentation typically take 1 to 6 weeks. Complex applications or those missing key documents can take 12 to 24 weeks.

During this waiting period, your ability to work for the new employer depends on your specific visa conditions.

### No Automatic Portability

Unlike the US H-1B system, where workers can start a new job as soon as a petition is filed, the 482 visa does not offer automatic portability.

Condition 8607 means you can only work for your nominating employer in your nominated occupation. Until your new nomination is approved, you remain tied to your existing arrangement.

In some situations, you may be able to start with the new employer before the nomination is decided, but specific conditions must be met. Get advice from a migration agent before starting any new role without an approved nomination.

The 180-Day Grace Period

If your employment ends — whether you resign, are made redundant, or are dismissed — you now have up to 180 consecutive days to find a new sponsor. This replaced the old 60-day limit under reforms in December 2024.

During this period, you remain lawful in Australia. You cannot work for a new employer without a valid nomination, but you have time to secure a new arrangement.

There is a cap of 365 total days across the life of the visa without a valid nomination. If you have used time in a previous gap, that counts toward the limit.

What Happens to Your Old Nomination

When you leave your current employer, their nomination for you should be withdrawn. In practice, employers sometimes forget or delay this.

You do not need your old employer's cooperation to get a new nomination. Your new employer can lodge one regardless of whether the old nomination has been withdrawn. However, the timing can matter — talk to a migration agent about sequencing this correctly.

Impact on Your Pathway to Permanent Residency

If you are planning to apply for permanent residency through the 186 visa, changing employers affects your timeline.

The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the 186 requires at least two years of full-time work for an approved sponsor. If you switch employers, your time restarts with the new employer — the clock does not carry over from your previous sponsorship.

Plan your employer change with this in mind. If you are close to meeting the two-year requirement with your current employer, switching could delay your PR pathway by years.

Common Mistakes

Starting work before the nomination is approved. This is the most dangerous mistake. Working for an employer who has not had their nomination approved can breach condition 8607 and put your visa at risk of cancellation.

Not checking the occupation list. Your new role must be on the relevant occupation list. If the occupation has been removed or your new job title does not match a listed occupation, the nomination will fail. Check the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) before accepting any offer.

Assuming any employer can sponsor. Not every business is an approved Standard Business Sponsor. Some employers will tell you they can sponsor you without understanding the process. Verify their sponsorship status before committing.

Ignoring the salary threshold. The role must meet the TSMIT or market rate, whichever is higher. An offer that falls below the threshold will result in a refused nomination, no matter how willing the employer is to sponsor you.

Forgetting the PR timeline impact. Changing employers resets your time toward the 186 permanent residency pathway. Many workers do not consider this until it is too late.

Not keeping records. Save copies of your nomination approval, employment contract, payslips, and any correspondence about the change. You will need these for future visa applications.

When to Talk to a Migration Agent

Get professional advice if:

- You want to start with the new employer before the nomination is decided
- Your new employer is not yet an approved sponsor
- You are concerned about your employer nomination being refused
- You are close to meeting the requirements for permanent residency through the 186 visa
- Your current employer has threatened to cancel your sponsorship

A MARA-registered migration agent can review your specific conditions, advise on timing, and make sure you do not breach your visa.

Next Steps

Check your current visa conditions now. Log in to VEVO or ImmiAccount and confirm your nominated occupation, your sponsor details, and your visa expiry date.

Talk to your new employer about their sponsorship status. Find out if they are already an approved Standard Business Sponsor, and whether they understand the nomination process and costs.

Do not resign before you have a plan. Understand the timeline for your new nomination and make sure you will not end up in a gap that puts you at risk.

Get professional advice early. A registered migration agent can map out the process, advise on timing, and help you avoid the common mistakes that put 482 visa holders at risk.

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

Related Resources

- Lost your sponsoring employer on a 482 visa?
- 482 to permanent residency: the pathway explained
- Employer nomination refused: what to do next
- Indian software engineers moving to Australia
- UK electricians: working in Australia
- Filipino nurses: pathways to Australia
- India to Australia visa options
- UK to Australia visa options
- Philippines to Australia visa guide

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Can I work for my new employer while the nomination is being processed?

In some cases, yes. If your new employer lodges a nomination and you meet certain conditions, you may be able to start work before the nomination is decided. However, the rules are strict and depend on your specific visa conditions. Get professional advice before starting any new role without an approved nomination.

What happens if my employer withdraws my nomination?

If your current employer withdraws your nomination and you do not have a new one, you have up to 180 consecutive days to find a new sponsor. You cannot work for a new employer without a valid nomination, but you remain lawful during this period provided your visa has not expired.

How long does a new nomination take to process?

Straightforward nominations typically take 1 to 6 weeks. Complex cases or applications with missing documents can take 12 to 24 weeks. Delays are usually caused by incomplete paperwork from the employer side.

Does my new employer need to be an approved sponsor already?

Yes. Your new employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor before they can nominate you. If they are not, they must apply for sponsorship approval first, which adds time to the process. This application can be lodged at the same time as the nomination.

Can I change to a different occupation with my new employer?

Changing both employer and occupation is more complex. The new occupation must be on the relevant occupation list, and the employer must demonstrate they cannot find a local worker for that role. This is essentially a new sponsorship arrangement from scratch, and your visa conditions may need to change.