Choosing the right employer-sponsored pathway for your business
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 (Skills in Demand) 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 two years of full-time sponsored employment on a 482 in the three years before applying. 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 usually requires you to be under 45 when you apply, the same as the Direct Entry stream, though some people are exempt. 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 must meet financial health, training obligation, and good faith requirements.
Step 2 Nomination and 482 visa: the employer nominates the position and the worker
The 482 visa grants temporary residence to the worker for up to four years. TRT requirements checked against the Department of Home Affairs on 10 October 2026.
Step 3 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
The worker then lodges the 186 visa application.
Step 5 186 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 your visa or sponsorship options. 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, nominated by their employer for a position in a designated regional area, to live and work in Australia for five 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.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
A points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, with no employer or state nomination required.
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. Your new employer must be an approved sponsor and lodge a new nomination for you. A new visa application is only needed if the occupation changes, or if other conditions of the employment change, such as the salary level or the work location. Speak to us first, before you start with the new employer.
What if the employer closes before I complete two years for the 186 TRT?
The two years of sponsored employment must fall in the three years before the visa application and can be with more than one sponsor, but the employer nominating you for the 186 must be the last one to have sponsored you. If your employer ceases to trade, get advice straight away; a new sponsor can keep the pathway open.
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. Registered since 2008, Andrew is a registered migration agent (MARN 0850840) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, ensuring expert guidance through every step of the immigration process.
