482 to 186 Pathway: From Temporary Work Visa to Permanent Residency
The most direct employer-sponsored route to Australian permanent residency runs from the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) to the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. After working for your sponsoring employer for at least 2 years on a 482 visa, your employer nominates you for the 186, and you apply for PR. The entire process from first 482 application to PR grant typically takes 3–4 years.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Minimum time on 482 | 2 years with the same employer |
| 186 visa cost | $4,640 (worker) + $540 nomination (employer) |
| Age limit | Under 45 at 186 application |
| Skills assessment for 186 TRT | Not required |
| English for 186 TRT | Competent (IELTS 6.0 each band) |
| Total timeline | 3–4 years (482 application to 186 grant) |
| Employer change during process | Not recommended — resets the 2-year clock |
The Step-by-Step Timeline
Here's how the 482 to 186 pathway works in practice, with realistic timeframes at each stage.
Year 0: Getting the 482 Visa
Months 1–2: Employer applies for Standard Business Sponsorship (if not already approved). Cost: $420. Processing: 1–5 months.
Months 2–4: Employer lodges nomination for your role. Labour market testing must be completed. Cost: $330. Processing: 1–4 months.
Months 3–6: You lodge your 482 visa application. Skills assessment, English test, health checks, police clearances. Cost: $1,455–$2,645. Processing: 1–5 months.
Month 6–8: 482 visa granted. You start (or continue) working for your employer in Australia.
Years 1–2: Working on the 482
The 2-year clock starts from when you begin working for your employer on the 482 visa. You must work full-time in the nominated occupation for the nominating employer for at least 2 years.
During this period:
- Work in the occupation specified on your 482 nomination
- Maintain your salary at or above the TSMIT ($73,150) and market rate
- Stay with the same employer — changing employers resets everything
- Keep your passport valid
- Maintain health insurance
Important: The 2-year requirement is based on when you started working for the employer on a 482, not when the visa was granted. If you were already working for them when the 482 was granted, the clock may have started earlier.
Year 2–3: Applying for the 186
After completing 2 years on the 482, you and your employer can begin the 186 process.
Step 1: Employer lodges 186 nomination (TRT stream).
- The employer nominates you for a permanent position
- Must demonstrate the position is genuine and ongoing
- Pay nomination fee ($540) and SAF levy ($3,000–$5,000)
- Processing: 1–6 months
Step 2: You lodge the 186 visa application.
- Can be lodged at the same time as the nomination
- No skills assessment needed (already done for 482)
- English test: Competent level (IELTS 6.0 each band)
- Updated health examinations and police clearances
- Cost: $4,640
- Processing: 1–9 months
Step 3: Visa grant.
- You receive permanent residency
- Immediate Medicare eligibility
- No longer tied to your sponsoring employer
- 5-year travel facility
Total Timeline
| Stage | Duration | Running Total |
|---|---|---|
| 482 sponsorship + nomination + visa | 6–8 months | 8 months |
| Work for employer on 482 | 2 years | ~2.5 years |
| 186 nomination + visa processing | 3–12 months | ~3–4 years |
Requirements for the TRT Stream
The TRT stream has fewer requirements than the Direct Entry stream because much of the assessment was already done when you got your 482. Here's what you need.
Your Requirements
- 2 years on a 482 (or old 457) with the same employer in the same (or closely related) occupation
- Under 45 years old at the time of application (exemptions exist for high earners over $162,000/year)
- Competent English: IELTS 6.0 in each band, or PTE 50 each, or TOEFL iBT 12 listening, 13 reading, 21 writing, 18 speaking, or Cambridge 169 each
- Health and character requirements: Updated medical examinations and police clearances
- Valid passport
Employer Requirements
- Approved Standard Business Sponsor (active status)
- Genuine position: Full-time, ongoing role that meets a real business need
- Market salary rate: Must pay at or above what an equivalent Australian worker would earn
- SAF levy: $3,000 (turnover under $10 million) or $5,000 (turnover $10 million+)
- Good sponsor track record: No adverse findings or compliance issues
What Counts Toward the 2-Year Requirement?
The 2-year requirement counts time spent working full-time for the nominating employer while on a 482 or 457 visa. Some nuances:
Time on a bridging visa counts — if your 482 expired and you applied for a new visa, time on the Bridging Visa A while working for the same employer generally counts.
Leave counts — paid annual leave, sick leave, and parental leave count toward the 2 years. Unpaid leave of more than a few weeks may not.
Part-time doesn't count — you must have worked full-time (at least 35 hours per week). Periods of part-time work are generally excluded.
Time before the 482 doesn't count — if you worked for the employer on a different visa (e.g., 417 or bridging visa) before the 482 was granted, that time typically doesn't count toward the 2-year requirement.
What Happens If You Change Employers?
Changing employers during the 482 to 186 pathway creates complications.
Before the 2-year mark: If you leave your sponsoring employer before completing 2 years, you lose your TRT eligibility with that employer. Your new employer would need to sponsor you on a fresh 482, and the 2-year clock restarts from zero.
After the 2-year mark but before 186 application: You've met the time requirement with your original employer, but they must still nominate you. If you've left, they're unlikely to nominate you. Your new employer could sponsor you through the Direct Entry stream of the 186 instead (which requires a skills assessment and 3 years of work experience).
The practical advice: Stay with your sponsoring employer until your 186 visa is granted. The 2–3 year commitment is the price of this pathway. If the working relationship becomes untenable, seek advice from a registered migration agent before making any moves.
Costs Breakdown
| Cost Item | Paid By | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 482 nomination | Employer | $330 |
| 482 visa application | Worker | $1,455–$2,645 |
| 482 SAF levy | Employer | $1,200–$1,800/year |
| 186 nomination | Employer | $540 |
| 186 SAF levy | Employer | $3,000–$5,000 (one-off) |
| 186 visa application | Worker | $4,640 |
| Health examinations (482 + 186) | Worker | $600–$1,200 total |
| Police clearances | Worker | $100–$400 total |
| English test | Worker | $300–$400 |
| Skills assessment (for 482) | Worker | $300–$1,500 |
| Total worker cost | ~$7,000–$10,000 | |
| Total employer cost | ~$5,000–$10,000 |
Migration agent fees (optional but recommended) add $3,000–$10,000 depending on complexity.
Common Risks and How to Mitigate Them
Risk: Employer goes out of business. If your sponsoring employer closes, they can't nominate you for the 186. Mitigation: you may be able to find a new employer willing to sponsor through the Direct Entry stream, or pivot to a skilled visa if you have enough points.
Risk: Employer refuses to nominate for 186. Some employers sponsor on the 482 with no intention of pursuing the 186. There's no legal obligation for an employer to nominate for PR. Mitigation: discuss the PR pathway expectation explicitly before accepting the 482 sponsorship.
Risk: You turn 45 before applying. The age limit is assessed at the date of your 186 application. If you're approaching 45, apply as soon as you hit the 2-year mark. Mitigation: start preparing all documents at the 18-month mark so you can lodge immediately at 2 years.
Risk: Changes to immigration policy. Visa rules can change. The 482 and 186 have been modified multiple times in recent years. Mitigation: lodge your 186 as soon as you're eligible rather than waiting.
Alternatives If the 482 to 186 Path Isn't Working
If the employer-sponsored pathway hits a dead end, you have options:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): Apply through SkillSelect if you have enough points. No employer needed.
- Subclass 190 (State Nominated): State nomination gives 5 bonus points if 189 is out of reach.
- Subclass 491 (Regional): Regional provisional visa with 15 bonus points, leading to 191 PR.
- Partner visa (Subclass 801/100): If you have an Australian partner.
- Find a new employer sponsor: Another employer can sponsor you on a fresh 482 or directly on a 186 (Direct Entry).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the 186 before completing 2 years?
No. The 2-year employment requirement for the TRT stream is firm. You can prepare your documents in advance, but the application can only be lodged once you've completed the required period. Some applicants lodge on the exact day they hit 2 years.
Do I need a new English test for the 186?
Your English test result must be less than 3 years old at the date of your 186 application. If you took IELTS for your 482 application more than 3 years ago, you'll need to retake it. Plan ahead — book your English test before you hit the 2-year mark.
Can my employer nominate me for a different occupation on the 186?
The occupation on the 186 nomination must be the same as, or closely related to, the occupation on your 482 nomination. A significant change in occupation would likely require the Direct Entry stream instead of TRT, which means a new skills assessment.
What if I need to travel during the 2-year period?
You can travel on your 482 visa (it's typically multiple-entry). Short business or personal trips don't reset the 2-year clock, provided you remain employed by your sponsor. Extended absences overseas may impact your eligibility — keep trips reasonable and maintain your employment relationship.
How long do I have to stay with my employer after the 186 is granted?
Zero days. Once the 186 visa is granted, you're a permanent resident with no employer obligations. You can resign the next day if you choose. However, the Department of Home Affairs does monitor patterns — if it becomes clear that the employment was only maintained for visa purposes and wasn't genuine, there could be consequences in rare cases.
