1. The Two 186 Streams
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme grants permanent residence and has two active streams. Understanding which stream applies to you determines both your eligibility criteria and your preparation strategy.
| Feature | TRT Stream | Direct Entry Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Current 482 (or 457) holders | Skilled workers outside Australia or without 482 history |
| Waiting period | 2 years on 482 | None, but 3 yrs experience required |
| Skills assessment | Not required | Positive assessment required |
| Age limit | Under 45 (exemptions apply) | Under 45 (exemptions apply) |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Outcome | Permanent PR | Permanent PR |
2. TRT Stream Eligibility
The Transition to Residence stream is the standard pathway for 482 visa holders working toward permanent residence with their current employer.
Core Requirements
- Visa history: Must hold or have held a Subclass 482 (or 457) visa for at least 2 years prior to the 186 application.
- Employment continuity: Must have worked in the nominated occupation for the same sponsoring employer for the 2-year qualifying period.
- Occupation: The nominated occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) at the time of the 186 application.
- Age: Must be under 45 years of age at the time of application (unless an age exemption applies to your occupation or nationality).
- English: Competent English required (IELTS 6.0 overall or equivalent).
- Health and character: Standard requirements apply.
What Counts as the Same Employer?
Business restructures, mergers, and acquisitions can affect whether continuity of employment is maintained. In general, if the legal entity employing you has changed — even through a corporate restructure — this should be assessed carefully. A change in employer ABN, for example, may require additional documentation to establish continuity.
What If My Occupation Changed?
The TRT stream requires continuity in the same ANZSCO occupation as the 482 nomination. If your duties evolved significantly, or if a new nomination was lodged under a different ANZSCO code, the occupation continuity requirement may not be met under the original nomination. A migration agent can assess whether the new occupation code and original code are sufficiently similar to support the TRT claim.
3. Direct Entry Stream
The Direct Entry (DE) stream is available to workers who are either outside Australia, have not held a 482 or 457 visa, or held a 482 visa but do not meet the TRT employment continuity requirements.
DE Requirements
- Skills assessment: A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required — the same assessment used in the skilled independent visa pathway.
- Work experience: At least 3 years of work experience in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.
- Occupation: The occupation must be on the MLTSSL.
- Age: Under 45 (exemptions apply).
- English: Competent English required.
- Employer nomination: The employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor and must demonstrate that the position is genuine and cannot be filled by an Australian worker.
4. The Nomination Process
Before a 186 visa can be lodged, the employer must submit a nomination application to the Department of Home Affairs. The nomination must establish:
- The employer is an approved sponsor (or seeking concurrent approval).
- The position is a genuine full-time role.
- The nominated occupation is on the MLTSSL.
- The nominated salary meets or exceeds the TSMIT and the Annual Market Salary Rate.
- Labour Market Testing has been conducted (for DE stream; LMT is generally not required for TRT).
The nomination and visa application can be lodged simultaneously, and it is standard practice to do so to avoid delays. Processing of the nomination and visa application occurs concurrently in most cases.
5. Costs and Fees
| Component | Fee (approx.) | Paid By |
|---|---|---|
| 186 Nomination (employer) | $540 | Employer |
| 186 Visa application (primary applicant) | $4,640 | Applicant or employer |
| 186 Visa application (secondary — adult) | $2,320 | Applicant or employer |
| 186 Visa application (secondary — child) | $1,160 | Applicant or employer |
| Skills assessment (DE stream only) | $300–$1,000+ | Applicant |
| Migration agent fees (indicative) | $3,000–$8,000 | Applicant or employer |
6. Timeline from 482 to PR
The table below outlines a typical timeline from initial 482 grant through to 186 permanent visa grant.
| Milestone | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| 482 visa granted | Day 0 |
| 2-year qualifying period complete | Month 24 |
| 186 nomination and visa lodged | Month 24–26 |
| Health and character requests issued | Month 26–30 |
| 186 visa decided | Month 36–42 (12–18 months processing) |
Planning the 186 nomination to be lodged as close as possible to the 2-year mark — rather than waiting until the 482 is about to expire — gives the most time for processing. Workers whose 482 visa expires during 186 processing remain lawfully in Australia on a bridging visa, but should confirm their work and travel rights with their migration agent.