- Kelly Lloyd
The subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa is a temporary visa that lets an Australian employer sponsor you to work in an occupation they can’t fill locally. The subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa is a permanent visa. Many people move from a 482 to a 186 over time, but they are different visas with different requirements, and holding a 482 does not automatically make you eligible for a 186. We know that can feel like a lot to hold in your head at once, so here’s how the two fit together.
What is the 482 visa (Skills in Demand)?
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024 (Department of Home Affairs, 2024). It lets an approved Australian business sponsor an overseas worker for an eligible occupation, generally for up to four years depending on the stream and occupation. A 482 visa generally allows you to work in your nominated occupation for your sponsoring employer, or an associated entity, subject to the conditions of your visa. If you change employers, the new employer generally needs an approved nomination in place before you start working for them, so it’s worth planning ahead rather than leaving this until the last minute.
The three 482 streams
- Core Skills stream: for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The nominated salary needs to meet both the Core Skills Income Threshold (indexed each 1 July) and the market salary rate for the role.
- Specialist Skills stream: for ANZSCO occupations in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, rather than occupations being limited to the Core Skills Occupation List. The nominated salary needs to meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
- Labour Agreement stream: for employers operating under a specific labour agreement with the Australian Government, typically used where the standard streams don’t fit the occupation or terms.
Across all three streams, you’ll generally also need at least 12 months of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation, or a closely related field, within the last 5 years.
What is the 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme)?
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa is a permanent visa. It lets an Australian employer nominate a skilled worker for permanent residence, either directly or as the next step after time spent on an eligible temporary employer-sponsored visa.
The three 186 streams
- Direct Entry stream: a pathway to permanent residence for eligible applicants nominated directly by an employer, without first needing to transition from a 482 through the TRT stream. Most applicants need an occupation generally on the CSOL, a positive skills assessment, at least 3 years of relevant work experience, competent English, and to be under 45, although exemptions can apply to several of these.
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream: for people already sponsored on the 482, who meet the work experience requirement and are nominated by an employer for permanent residence. A skills assessment is generally not required for this stream, although you’ll still need to show you have the skills, qualifications, and any licensing your occupation requires.
- Labour Agreement stream: for employers nominating under a specific labour agreement, similar in principle to the 482 equivalent.
482 vs 186 at a glance
A side-by-side view of the key differences:
| 482 (Skills in Demand) | 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Temporary | Permanent |
| Employer involvement | Employer sponsorship and nomination required | Employer nomination required |
| Main streams | Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement | Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, Labour Agreement |
| Occupation / skills requirements | Core Skills: occupation on the CSOL. Specialist Skills: ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, plus the Specialist Skills Income Threshold | Direct Entry: eligible occupation, generally on the CSOL, and most applicants need a skills assessment. TRT: generally no separate skills assessment required |
| Work experience | Generally at least 12 months in the nominated occupation or a closely related field | Direct Entry: generally at least 3 years, unless exempt. TRT: 2 years of eligible sponsored employment within the 3 years before applying |
| Age and English | Set by visa conditions rather than a fixed age or English test in the comparison above | Direct Entry: generally under 45 with competent English, subject to exemptions. TRT: generally more flexible |
| Permanent residence | May provide a pathway to PR if eligible, not automatic | Permanent residence from grant |
| Prior 482 required? | N/A | Not necessarily, depends on the stream |
How the 482 can lead to the 186 (the TRT pathway)
For some skilled workers, a 482 can form part of a longer-term pathway to permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream. But a 482 does not automatically lead to a 186: it depends on your work history, your occupation history, and your employer’s willingness to nominate you.
As at August 2026, applicants generally need a total of two years of eligible sponsored full-time employment within the three years immediately before applying, while holding a subclass 457 or 482 visa (Department of Home Affairs, 2025). This doesn’t have to be with a single employer or in a single occupation: if you’ve held more than one 457 or 482 visa, eligible sponsored employment can generally be added together, even across different employers, provided the employer nominating you for the 186 was your most recent approved sponsor. This setting did change recently (before the qualifying period was previously three years), so confirm the current requirement for your own history rather than treating this as fixed, speak to our Registered Agents to assess your personal circumstance.
How might the 482 and 186 fit into your migration pathway?
- You have an employer willing to sponsor you for a temporary skilled role: a 482 may be one pathway worth assessing.
- You’re already working in Australia on an eligible sponsored visa: the 186 TRT stream may become relevant once you and your employer meet the requirements.
- An employer wants to nominate you directly for permanent residence: the 186 Direct Entry stream may be worth assessing if you meet its requirements.
Wherever you sit in this list, the details of your own occupation, employer, and history matter more than the general rule. That’s exactly what an individual assessment is for.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 482 visa a pathway to permanent residency?
The 482 visa is temporary on its own, but eligible sponsored employment while holding a 482 can count towards the work requirement for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream. As at August 2026, applicants generally need a total of two years of eligible sponsored full-time employment within the three years before applying, alongside the other TRT requirements. It’s a common pathway, not an automatic outcome.
How long do I need to work on a 482 before I can apply for the 186?
As at August 2026, the Temporary Residence Transition stream generally requires a total of two years of eligible sponsored full-time employment within the three years before applying. This doesn’t have to be with a single employer: periods with a previous approved sponsor can generally be added together, provided the employer nominating you for the 186 was your most recent approved sponsor. This requirement has changed before (the qualifying period was previously three years), so confirm the current setting for your own situation rather than treating it as fixed.
Do I need a skills assessment for the 186 visa?
It depends on the stream. The Direct Entry stream generally requires a positive skills assessment, alongside at least 3 years of relevant work experience. The Temporary Residence Transition stream generally does not require a separate skills assessment, although you’ll still need to show you have the skills, qualifications, and any licensing your occupation requires.
Can I apply for the 186 visa without ever holding a 482?
Yes, through the Direct Entry stream, which is a pathway to permanent residence for eligible applicants nominated directly by an employer. Most applicants need an occupation generally on the CSOL, a positive skills assessment, at least 3 years of relevant work experience, competent English, and to be under 45, although exemptions can apply to several of these requirements.
What’s the difference between the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams on the 482?
Core Skills requires your occupation to appear on the Core Skills Occupation List, plus a salary that meets both the income threshold and the market salary rate. Specialist Skills applies to ANZSCO occupations in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 instead of a fixed list, with eligibility based on the salary offered clearing the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
Our advice if you’re weighing up the 482 and 186
- Check whether your occupation sits on the CSOL, or in the ANZSCO groups covered by Specialist Skills.
- Talk to your employer early about which stream and pathway they’re willing to support. Sponsorship and nomination are commitments on their side too.
- Don’t assume time on a 482 automatically counts towards a 186, confirm your own eligible sponsored employment history before relying on it.
- Seek professional advice if your pathway isn’t a clear TRT or Direct Entry case.
If you’re navigating the move from a 482 to a 186, or working out which one applies to you, our team can help.
Contact PR Migration for expert Australian migration advice: prmigration.com.au/get-in-touch
Kelly Lloyd
MARN 1386565
