One of the most common questions among 482 Skills in Demand visa holders is: how do I get from temporary sponsorship to permanent residency?

The most well-travelled pathway is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme — Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. If you are currently on a 482 visa and your employer is willing to support your permanent residency, this is likely your primary pathway.

This guide explains how the 186 TRT stream works, when you become eligible, what the requirements are, and what you need to do to secure your permanent residency.

At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) helps 482 visa holders navigate the transition to permanent residency via the ENS 186 pathway.

This article is for general information only. Migration law changes — verify current requirements at homeaffairs.gov.au or with a registered migration agent.

What Is the ENS 186 Temporary Residence Transition Stream?

The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme has two streams:

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream — for 482 holders who have worked for their sponsor for the required period
Direct Entry stream — for workers who don’t meet the TRT requirements (typically with a skills assessment and a job offer)

The TRT stream is the standard pathway for 482 holders. It does not require a separate skills assessment — your work history with the same employer is the foundation of the application.

When Are You Eligible for the 186 TRT Stream?

The key eligibility threshold is 2 years of full-time employment with your current approved sponsor in your nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation). In detail:

You must have worked for your current sponsor for at least 2 years full-time (or 4 years part-time, generally)
The employment must have been in the same occupation (or a closely related occupation) as your nominated 482 occupation
The 2 years must have been completed while you held a 482 visa or a previous TSS/457 visa — certain bridging visa periods may not count
You must currently hold a 482, 457, or certain other qualifying visas

Note: Prior to August 2018, the rules were different for 457 holders. If you have been on a 457 for part of your employment, the transitional rules may apply — seek specific advice for your situation.

What Are the Other Requirements for the 186 TRT?

Age

You must be under 45 years of age at the time the nomination is lodged. This is a strict requirement — there are no general exceptions, though some healthcare occupations have an exemption.

English Language

You must demonstrate at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band, or equivalent in PTE/TOEFL/etc.) unless you are a passport holder of a prescribed English-speaking country (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland).

Skills Assessment

For the TRT stream, a skills assessment is not required in most cases — your 2 years of employment with the sponsor is accepted in lieu. However, for certain occupations (including some health professions) and in certain circumstances, a skills assessment may still be required. Check the requirements for your specific occupation.

Health

You and your family members included in the application must meet Australian health requirements (medical examination).

Character

You and your family members must meet Australian character requirements (police clearances from countries lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years).

Employer Nomination

Your employer must:

Be an Approved Standard Business Sponsor (or become one)
Submit a nomination for you under the 186 TRT stream
Offer you ongoing full-time employment in the nominated position
Pay you at or above the applicable salary threshold

The 186 TRT Application Process

Confirm eligibility — verify you have completed 2 years of qualifying employment and meet all other requirements
Employer submits nomination — your employer lodges a nomination application (Subclass 186 TRT nomination) with the Department
You submit the visa application — concurrently with or after the nomination (typically concurrent)
Provide supporting documents — employment records, payslips, English test results, health examinations, police clearances
Department assesses both applications — nomination and visa are assessed together
Grant — if approved, you are granted a Subclass 186 permanent visa

What Documents Do You Need?

For the 186 TRT application, the most important documents are:

Document	Purpose
Payslips covering 2+ years	Demonstrate 2 years of continuous employment
Employment contract(s)	Establish the nature and start of the employment
Tax returns / group certificates	Corroborate income and employment continuity
Employer letter confirming employment	On letterhead, with dates, occupation, and future employment offer
English test results	IELTS, PTE, etc. — within validity period
Police clearances	From Australia and each country lived in for 12+ months
Completed health examination	From an approved panel physician
Passport and identity documents	For you and any family members included

Processing Times and Costs

Processing times for the 186 visa vary but currently average 3–9 months from lodgement (subject to change and current Department workloads). Complex cases or those requiring additional information can take longer.

Key costs include:

Nomination application fee: approximately $540 (employer pays)
Visa application fee: approximately $4,770 for the primary applicant (as of 2026 — verify current fees at homeaffairs.gov.au)
Additional applicant fees for family members included in the application
Migration agent fee: varies — typically $2,000–$4,000+ for a full-service agent

What If My Employer Won’t Support My PR Application?

Your employer’s support is essential for the TRT stream. If your employer will not nominate you — or if your employer’s business is closing or your employment has ended — the TRT pathway is not available. Alternatives include:

186 Direct Entry stream — if you have a skills assessment and can secure a job offer from a new employer willing to nominate you
Skilled migration pathways (189/190/491) — if you have enough points; see our guide: 189 vs 190 vs 491: Which Skilled Visa If You Have 70–75 Points?
Partner visa — if you are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Find a new employer willing to sponsor — a new sponsor can nominate you under the 186 Direct Entry stream or sponsor a new 482 and begin a fresh 2-year count toward a future TRT application

For what happens when your employer loses sponsorship on a 482 visa, see: 482 Employer Lost Sponsorship: What Happens to Your Visa?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a skills assessment for the 186 TRT stream?

In most cases, no. The TRT stream does not require a separate skills assessment — your 2 years of employment with the same sponsor substitutes for it. However, some occupations (particularly health professions) and some circumstances may still require assessment. Check your specific occupation.

Can I change jobs while waiting for my 186 to be processed?

Changing employers after lodging your 186 application is very risky. The application is tied to your current employer’s nomination. If your employment ends, the nomination is likely to be withdrawn and the application cannot proceed. Discuss any change carefully with your migration agent before acting.

Does the 2-year employment have to be continuous?

Generally yes — the 2 years must be continuous employment. Significant gaps in employment may break the continuity and restart the count. Short gaps (illness, annual leave) generally do not affect continuity, but longer gaps can. Seek specific advice if you have had gaps in employment.

Can my family join me on the 186 application?

Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in the 186 application as secondary applicants. They will need to meet health and character requirements.

What if I am over 45?

The 186 TRT stream requires you to be under 45 at the time of nomination. If you are 45 or over, you are generally not eligible — except for specific exempt occupations (including doctors, nurses, and some other health professionals). If you are approaching 45, lodge early to avoid missing the age requirement.

Key Takeaways

The 186 TRT is the primary pathway from 482 to permanent residency — 2 years with the same sponsor in the same occupation.
No skills assessment required for most occupations — your work history is the evidence.
Age limit is 45 at time of nomination — lodge early if approaching this threshold.
Your employer must actively support the application — without a nomination, TRT is not available.
Processing takes 3–9 months — apply as soon as you are eligible to minimise time on the temporary visa.

Ready to Transition to PR? Contact Magpie Consultants

The 186 TRT is one of the most reliable PR pathways for employer-sponsored workers — but getting the documentation right and navigating the employer nomination process requires expertise.

At Magpie Consultants, Umar Ashraf (MARN 2619222) assists 482 holders and their employers through the 186 transition — from checking eligibility through to the permanent residency grant. We advise in English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi.

Book a consultation: magpieconsultants.com.au/book-appointment
Location: Office 3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076, Melbourne

DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements, fees, and processing times change frequently. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a MARA-registered migration agent. Umar Ashraf — MARN 2619222 — verify at mara.gov.au.

482 Visa to Permanent Residency: ENS 186 Transition Period Explained 2026