Employer Sponsored Visa Australia: 482 & 186 Explained (2026)
How Australian employer sponsorship actually works — the three-step process, the 482 Skills in Demand visa and its income thresholds, Labour Market Testing requirements, and the pathway from the 482 to permanent residence on the 186. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 No points test.
- 0:12 Sponsorship approval:
- 0:23 Three steps, in order
- 0:44 The 482 streams
- 0:57 Core: $79,423.
- 1:14 Job ends?
- 1:30 Labour Market Testing:
- 1:41 Exempt from LMT:
- 2:06 Transition processing: 9–18 months.
- 2:19 Sponsor approval takes
- 2:37 Where to read more
Transcript
An employer-sponsored visa doesn't need a points score — it needs an Australian employer willing to sponsor you, and three separate approvals in order.
Step one is sponsorship approval — the employer becomes an approved Standard Business Sponsor, valid for 5 years and covering every future sponsored employee.
Three linked steps: the employer becomes an approved sponsor, then nominates the specific role, then the worker applies for the visa itself.
The Subclass 482 was called the Temporary Skill Shortage visa until 7 December 2024, when it was renamed the Skills in Demand visa and restructured into three streams.
The Core Skills stream is granted for up to 4 years, and after 2 years on it, transition to the Subclass 186 becomes possible. There's also a Specialist Skills stream and a Labour Agreement stream.
The old TSMIT was replaced by two thresholds: the Core Skills Income Threshold at $79,423, and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold at $146,576, both indexed each 1 July.
If the sponsored job ends, the 482 holder must notify the Department, and condition 8607 gives up to 180 consecutive days — capped at 365 in total — to find a new sponsor, lodge a bridging application, or leave.
Labour Market Testing means the employer must advertise the role within 4 months of lodging — at least 2 ads, on 2 different platforms, running at least 4 weeks in total.
There's one salary exemption: roles paying above $250,000 a year don't need Labour Market Testing at all.
The Subclass 186 has two streams. Direct Entry needs a positive skills assessment, an MLTSSL occupation, under 45, and at least 3 years of experience. Transition needs 2 years on a 482 with the same employer.
The 186 Transition stream currently takes about 9 to 18 months to process. Plan for around 3 to 4 years total, from 482 grant through to 186 grant.
Becoming an approved sponsor in the first place takes roughly 4 to 8 weeks, and it's a separate application before any nomination is lodged.
The Subclass 186 carries no obligation to stay with the sponsoring employer after grant — once permanent, the worker can work for anyone.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.
Short versions
- Employer sponsorship isn't a points test — it's 3 steps (0:31)
- Lose your 482 job? A 180-day clock starts (0:34)
- What Labour Market Testing actually requires (0:33)
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