Subclass 186 · Temporary Residence Transition stream
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): Temporary Residence Transition Stream
The 482 to PR pathway: move to permanent residence with the employer who sponsored you, after 2 years of sponsored employment in the last 3.
About the Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent residence through your employer.
- Live, work and study in Australia permanently
- Enrol in Medicare
- Sponsor eligible relatives
- Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
- Apply for citizenship when eligible
From AUD6,140 for the main applicant, plus charges for family members. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
You can include your partner and dependent children in your application.
Your employer's nomination must be approved, and you must apply within 6 months of the nomination approval.
Eligibility for applicants
Your requirements.
You must be the main holder of a 457 or 482 visa (any stream), or a bridging visa linked to a 457, 482, 186 or 187 application if your last substantive visa was a 457 or 482.
You must have worked in eligible sponsored employment for a total of 2 years in the 3 years before you apply.
Your employer must be the last business to sponsor you full time on your 457 or 482 visa.
You must have the skills and qualifications to perform the nominated occupation.
If your occupation needs a licence, registration or professional membership in the state or territory where you will work, you must hold it.
Usually you must be under 45. If you held, or had applied for and later received, a 457 visa on 18 April 2017, you can apply if you are under 50.
You must have at least Competent English. For example, at least IELTS 6 in each of the four components, or PTE Academic scores of at least 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking. Other accepted tests have equivalent scores, and holders of certain passports (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Republic of Ireland) are treated as having Competent English.
You and family applying with you must meet the health requirement, and those aged 16 or over the character requirement. Permanent and provisional visa applicants, and family members applying with them, must have health examinations with an approved panel physician. Temporary visa applicants might need them, depending on the visa and their circumstances. For the character requirement, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and Form 80.
Applicants aged 18 or over must read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.
Debts to the Australian Government must be repaid or under a formal arrangement, and previous refusals or cancellations are considered.
Step by step
How the application works.
Before you apply
Your employer's nomination must be approved. Organise your skills assessment (if needed), English test and health checks.
Not sure this is the right visa for you? Contact Outlook Immigration and our registered migration agent will confirm the best pathway.
Gather your documents
Provide accurate evidence of identity, skills, employment, English and character, plus documents for family members.
Apply online
Lodge in ImmiAccount within 6 months of the nomination approval, using the nomination reference number.
After you apply
Respond quickly to any requests and keep your details up to date.
Visa outcome
Home Affairs tells you the decision in writing.
When you have this visa
You are a permanent resident.
You can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely, with access to Medicare.
You are expected to work for your nominating employer as intended when your visa was granted.
Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from grant. After that, you need a Resident Return visa to return as a permanent resident.
After meeting the residence requirements, you may be able to apply for Australian citizenship.
About nominating for TRT
Costs and timing for employers.
No nomination fee for positions in regional Australia. The Skilling Australians Fund levy applies.
Sponsors also pay a one-off Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy of AUD3,000 (annual turnover under AUD10 million) or AUD5,000 (AUD10 million or more). The levy is paid with the nomination, cannot be passed on to the worker, and is only refundable in limited circumstances.
Your nominee must apply within 6 months of the nomination approval, or the nomination ends.
Employ the worker on terms no less favourable than Australians doing the same work in the same place.
Eligibility for employers
What your business must show.
Your business must actively and lawfully operate in Australia, comply with immigration and workplace laws, and have no unreasonable adverse information. Positions cannot be for on-hire to unrelated businesses.
You must have a genuine need for a paid employee in a full-time position that is ongoing for at least 2 years.
The occupation must be listed in ANZSCO and be the same occupation as your most recent approved nomination for the worker.
The levy is paid when you lodge the nomination, where required.
Employ the worker on terms no less favourable than an Australian citizen or permanent resident doing the same work in the same place.
You must be the business that sponsored the worker on their temporary work visa. If your business has been sold, taken over or restructured, you may still be able to nominate them.
When you nominate, the worker must hold or have most recently held a 457 or 482 visa, or a bridging visa from a 457, 482, 186 or 187 application.
Step by step for employers
How to nominate a worker for permanent residence.
Before you nominate
Check your business and the position meet the requirements.
Not sure this is the right visa for you? Contact Outlook Immigration and our registered migration agent will confirm the best pathway.
Gather your documents
Prepare evidence of your business, the genuine position and the employment terms.
Lodge the nomination
Complete the nomination in ImmiAccount, attach documents, pay the fee and the Skilling Australians Fund levy if required, and give your employee the reference number.
After you nominate
Respond to any requests. Your employee must apply within 6 months of approval.
After the visa is granted
Your obligations continue while the worker is in Australia.
Pay the nominated salary, keep records and notify Home Affairs of certain changes. Employer compliance support.
Keep the position available as nominated. Ask us if your business circumstances change.
Based on Department of Home Affairs information (October 2026). Visa costs, thresholds, occupation lists and processing times can change, so always confirm current details on the Department of Home Affairs website or ask our team. This page is general information, not migration advice for your circumstances.
Other Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) Streams
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): Temporary Residence Transition Stream FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Still have questions?
Book an appointment with a registered migration agent and get clear answers about your visa options.
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Through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream, with 2 years of sponsored employment in the 3 years before applying and a nomination from your sponsor.
Usually under 45, or under 50 if you held or had applied for a 457 visa on 18 April 2017.
No fee for positions in regional Australia. The Skilling Australians Fund levy applies.
The nominating employer must be your most recent 457 or 482 sponsor. Changes in business ownership may still be allowed.
Ready for Permanent Residence Through Your Employer?
We prepare the employer nomination and the visa application together.