Subclass 482 vs 186: which employer-sponsored visa?
Subclass 482 vs 186: What is the Difference?
Navigating the migration process can feel overwhelming, but with MigrationBuro, you are never alone.
The subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) and subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) are the two most commonly used employer-sponsored visas in Australia. They are not alternatives — for most sponsored workers, the 482 is the temporary entry visa and the 186 is the permanent destination. Understanding both is necessary to plan an employer-sponsored migration pathway.
THE KEY DIFFERENCES
Permanence: the 482 is a temporary visa. The 186 is a permanent visa. This is the most fundamental distinction.
Employer nomination required for both: both visas require the employer to be an approved standard business sponsor and to nominate the worker. Nomination is a separate application from the visa.
Time requirement for 186 TRT: the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the 186 requires the worker to have held a 482 visa in the occupation nominated for at least two years with the same employer. This is the most common path from 482 to 186.
186 Direct Entry stream: the 186 also has a Direct Entry (DE) stream for workers who have a positive skills assessment and do not need to have first held a 482. This is used less commonly.
Age limit: the 186 TRT has no age limit. The 186 DE stream has a limit of 45 years of age at the time of application (with some exceptions).
HOW THE 482 AND 186 WORK TOGETHER
Step 1 The employer sponsors the worker: standard business sponsor application
The employer sponsors the worker: standard business sponsor application. The employer must meet financial health, training obligation, and good faith requirements.
Step 2 Nomination and 482 visa: the employer nominates the position and the worker
Nomination and 482 visa: the employer nominates the position and the worker. The 482 visa grants temporary residence to the worker (four years for MLTSSL occupations, two years for STSOL).
Step 3 Two years in role: the worker completes two years of employment with the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation
Two years in role: the worker completes two years of employment with the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation.
Step 4 Employer nominates for 186 TRT: the employer lodges a new nomination for the 186 ENS
Employer nominates for 186 TRT: the employer lodges a new nomination for the 186 ENS. The worker then lodges the 186 visa application.
Step 5 186 granted: the permanent visa is granted
186 granted: the permanent visa is granted. The worker is a permanent resident.
Speak to a Migration agent
Call 1300 VISA OZ (1300 8472 69) to discuss employer sponsorship for your Brisbane business. Available Monday to Friday. Zoom consultations take 45-60 minutes and give you a clear answer on what is achievable.
Prefer to start in writing? Email info@migrationburo.com.au with the role title, the occupation, and the candidate's nationality and qualifications.
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
(Subclass 482)
Custom migration pathways for businesses facing ongoing skills shortages, including DAMA’s, industry-specific Labour agreements and Company Specific Labour Agreements.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)
Secure permanent residency for skilled international employees, strengthening your workforce with long-term expertise.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
This visa provides a way for skilled workers in specific occupations, who are nominated by their employer in regional Australia, to live and work in Australia for 5 years. This visa contains two ‘streams’ with varying conditions and eligibility requirements. Click below to learn more, and contact us for professional advice and assistance.
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400)
The Subclass 400 visa allows individuals with highly specialised skills to undertake short-term, non-ongoing work or projects in Australia..
Your Australian Visa application
Some frequently asked questions
Answers to some questions we often hear from people in your situation.
Can I change employers on a 482?
You can change employer, but you need a new sponsorship, nomination, and visa application. Your 482 is tied to the sponsoring employer. Changing employer mid-visa requires a new 482 nomination at minimum.
What if the employer closes before I complete two years for the 186 TRT?
The two-year service requirement is with the same sponsoring employer. If the employer ceases to trade, the TRT pathway is interrupted. Options exist (including the 186 DE stream where eligible) but the situation requires advice.
Can a 482 holder apply for permanent residence a different way?
Yes. 482 holders can also pursue the points-tested skilled stream (189, 190) independently of their employer, subject to having a positive skills assessment. The employer-sponsored 186 is not the only permanent pathway for a 482 holder.
What is CSIT?
The Core Skills Income Threshold. The nominated salary for a 482 or 186 must meet or exceed the CSIT. The CSIT is indexed annually. Confirm the current CSIT with MigrationBuro before nomination.
What is the difference between a 482 and a 186 visa?
Migration experience you can trust
MigrationBuro are your trusted migration agents in Brisbane. Founded and led by Andrew Heathcote, we specialise in Australian immigration services. With over 18 years of experience, Andrew is a registered migration agent (MARN) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, ensuring expert guidance through every step of the immigration process.
