Employer-Sponsored Visas Australia: Complete 2026 Guide (482 and 186)

How Employer Sponsorship Works

Employer-sponsored migration involves three separate but linked steps: Step 1 — Sponsorship Approval: The employer applies to become an Approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). This is a one-time approval (valid 5 years) that covers all future sponsored employees. The employer must demonstrate they are a lawfully operating business with no adverse immigration history. Step 2 — Nomination: The employer nominates the specific position for the specific person they want to sponsor. The nomination must demonstrate: the nominated occupation is on the relevant occupation list; the employer has genuinely tried to find an Australian for the role (Labour Market Testing); the offered salary meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) or the market salary rate (whichever is higher). Step 3 — Visa Application: Once the nomination is approved, the worker applies for the visa. The worker must: hold a positive skills assessment for their occupation (for some subclasses); meet health and character requirements; have the relevant English proficiency. All three steps can be lodged concurrently to save time, but the visa cannot be granted until both the sponsorship and nomination are approved.

Subclass 482 TSS: Temporary Employer Sponsorship

The Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa has two streams based on occupation: Short-term stream (STSOL occupations): visa granted for up to 2 years (4 years if a Free Trade Agreement applies). Cannot transition directly to permanent residence via the 186 ENS Direct Entry — requires a separate pathway. Medium-term stream (MLTSSL occupations): visa granted for up to 4 years. Can transition to the 186 ENS (Transition stream) after 3 years on the 482. The 482 requires: positive skills assessment (for most occupations); TSMIT-level salary; Labour Market Testing (LMT); employer commitment. The 482 holder must work for the nominating employer in the nominated occupation. Working in a different role or for a different employer requires a new nomination or new visa. If the employment ends, the 482 holder must notify the Department and has 60 days to find a new sponsor, lodge a bridging application, or depart.

Subclass 186 ENS: Permanent Employer Sponsorship

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent residence visa with two streams: Direct Entry stream: for skilled workers applying directly for permanent sponsorship (not on a 482 first). Requires a positive skills assessment; occupation on the MLTSSL; less than 45 years of age (with exceptions for certain health and education professionals); at least 3 years of work experience in the occupation. This stream is available for new hires from overseas or for workers already in Australia on other visa types. Transition stream: for workers who have been on a Subclass 482 (medium-term stream) for at least 3 years and are applying to transition to permanent residence with the same employer. Skills assessment requirements are reduced or waived for the transition stream; the 3 years of Australian work experience is used instead. The 186 grants full permanent residence to the primary applicant and their family members. It carries no conditions about staying with the employer after grant — once permanent, you can work for anyone.

Labour Market Testing: What It Requires

Labour Market Testing (LMT) requires the employer to demonstrate they have genuinely tried to recruit an Australian citizen or permanent resident for the role before seeking to sponsor an overseas worker. LMT requirements: the employer must advertise the position within 4 months before lodging the nomination; at least 2 advertisements are required; advertisements must be on 2 different platforms (including at least one national job board such as Seek, LinkedIn, Indeed, or jora.com.au); the advertisement must run for at least 4 weeks total across all platforms; the advertisement must include: the title, the duties, the required skills/qualifications, the salary or salary range, and the location. The employer must certify that no suitably qualified Australian applied and was available for the role. LMT exemptions apply in limited circumstances — if the position is covered by an international Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or if the role is high-salary (above $250,000 per year). A migration agent can help employers structure their LMT process to ensure it is compliant and adequately documented before lodging the nomination.

From 482 to Permanent Residence: The Transition Pathway

For workers on the 482 medium-term stream who want permanent residence without returning to the SkillSelect pool, the 186 Transition stream is the most direct route. Requirements: at least 3 years working for the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation while on the 482; the same employer must nominate the 186; a skills assessment is generally not required if the 3 years of Australian work experience satisfies the skill requirement; the occupation must be on the MLTSSL. Timeline: the 3-year clock starts from when you begin working on the 482 visa — not from the visa grant date. The 186 Transition stream application can be lodged from day 1 of the 3-year period but cannot be granted until the 3 years are completed. Processing for the 186 Transition stream currently takes approximately 9–18 months. For the full 482 → 186 pathway, plan for a total of 4–5 years from 482 grant to 186 (permanent residence) grant.

Can any employer sponsor me, or do they need to be an approved sponsor?

The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor before they can nominate you. Becoming an approved sponsor takes approximately 4–8 weeks and is a separate application before the nomination is lodged. Employers who are frequently sponsoring staff apply for approval first and maintain their approval status.

What is the TSMIT and does it affect me?

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is the minimum salary that must be paid to any sponsored worker on the 482 visa. As of 2024, TSMIT is $73,150 per year. If the market salary rate for the occupation is above TSMIT, the market rate applies. You cannot be paid below TSMIT regardless of what an unsponsored Australian in the same role might earn.

Can I change employers on a 482 visa?

Yes, but you need to find a new employer willing to sponsor you, have them become an approved SBS, lodge a new nomination for the new role, and apply for a new 482 visa. You have 60 days from when your employment ends to lodge a new application or depart. Do not assume you can simply find a new job — the new role must be in your nominated occupation and meet all 482 requirements.

Is a skills assessment always required for the 482?

Not always. Skills assessment requirements vary by occupation and nationality. Some occupations on the STSOL do not require a formal skills assessment for the 482 (though the employer still needs to demonstrate they checked qualifications and experience). Check the specific requirements for your ANZSCO occupation code.