AustraliaMigrate, a registered migration agency established in 2000, has released a review of the pathway from the Skills in Demand (482) visa to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). The review sets out how recent changes have made the 482-to-186 route the most common way for sponsored workers to secure employer-sponsored permanent residence.
Under the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the subclass 186 visa, an applicant must have worked full- time for their sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation for at least two out of the last three years while holding a 482 visa. The 482 visa holder can transfer their visa from their sponsoring employer to a new sponsor by lodging a new nomination application, and time spent on a 482 visa with the first employer can count towards the 2-year requirement when lodging a subclass186 visa with the second employer.
If employment ceases with any sponsor, the 482 visa holder can work wherever they wish in any job for up to 180 days (6 months) without applying for their 482 visa to be nominated by a new sponsor. This time obviously does not count towards the two-year requirement of a 482 visa.
The review explains that the Temporary Residence Transition stream suits workers already sponsored by their employer, while the Direct Entry stream remains open to skilled workers, possibly new to a sponsor, including applicants outside Australia. Direct Entry requires a skills assessment, at least three years of post-qualification experience and an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, and applicants must be under 45 at the time of application. The Temporary Residence Transition stream carries limited age exemptions for certain academics, researchers, medical practitioners and high-income earners.
The review also notes the salary conditions that apply to both streams. From 1 July 2026, the Core Skills Income Threshold is $79,499, and a nominated worker must be paid at least that figure or the annual market salary rate for the role, whichever is higher. AustraliaMigrate advises that a nomination paying below the threshold or the market rate is a frequent reason for refusal, and that employers and workers should confirm the current figure before lodging. A 482 visa holder who may be on a lower salary due to a previously lodged and approved 482 nomination can remain on the salary which they were approved under.
Mr Singer said timing is where most avoidable problems arise. "The most common mistake we see is a worker reaching two years with their sponsor and only then thinking about the 186," he said. "By that stage, a lapsed skills assessment, an expired English result or a nominated role that has drifted from the original position can all cause delays. Planning the transition from the start of the 482 is what keeps it smooth. Other problems which frequently arise are when the applicant has worked less than 2 years on a 482 visa due to, for example, taking leave without pay or working reduced hours. The two-year requirement is meant for FULL TIME with no unpaid leave. Normal leave entitlements are of course fine.
AustraliaMigrate reports that indicative processing for the subclass 186 currently sits at roughly fourteen months for half of applications, though the Department of Home Affairs updates these figures monthly and does not commit to a fixed timeframe. The agency has published guidance on both the employer-sponsored and permanent residence pathways on its website.
AustraliaMigrate is based in Chatswood, Sydney, and has assisted individuals, families and businesses with Australian visa applications for more than 25 years. The firm's agents are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority and provide advice across employer-sponsored, skilled, partner, parent and student visa categories. For more information about the 186 visa (subclass 186), the Skills in Demand (482) visa or the transition to permanent residence, visit the AustraliaMigrate website.
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For more information about Australia Migrate Pty Ltd, contact the company here:
Australia Migrate Pty Ltd
Ian Singer
0294116000
ian@australiamigrate.com
Suite 601, 10 Help Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia
