482 to PR Pathway
Temporary to Permanent

Holders of a 482 in the Core Skills stream are generally eligible for the TRT pathway once they have completed at least two years of full-time employment with the same employer in the same nominated occupation. The occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) at the time of the 186 nomination — it is not sufficient that it was on the list at the time the 482 was granted.

Workers sponsored under the Specialist Skills stream (high-earning specialists, no occupation list requirement) may be eligible for the TRT pathway, though the specific conditions may differ. The nominated occupation for the 186 must generally be on a relevant list unless covered by a Labour Agreement. Specialist Skills 482 holders considering a 186 TRT pathway should obtain specialist advice, as the interaction between the stream conditions and the 186 eligibility criteria is complex.

Where a worker holds a 482 under a Labour Agreement, the PR pathway — including whether TRT or Direct Entry applies, the qualifying period, and the relevant occupation requirements — is generally determined by the terms of the specific labour agreement. Some labour agreements include explicit 186 TRT provisions; others require a Direct Entry nomination or a bespoke arrangement. The terms of the agreement and any modifications should be reviewed carefully.

The TRT stream requires the 186 nomination to come from the same employer who held the 482 sponsorship. If you change employers — even to a related entity — the qualifying period generally resets. The new employer must become an approved sponsor, nominate you for a 482, and you will generally need to complete a further two years before they can nominate you for a 186 under TRT. Direct Entry from a new employer may be an alternative but requires a skills assessment.

Working in duties that no longer match the ANZSCO unit group of the 482 nominated occupation can undermine the TRT pathway. The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether the work actually performed matches the nominated occupation, not just the job title. Gradual role changes in technology, management, or evolving industries are a common risk. If duties have materially changed, seek advice before the 186 nomination is lodged.

The qualifying work period generally requires continuous full-time employment. Extended leave without pay, stand-down periods, or breaks in employment may reduce the qualifying period or not count towards it. Statutory leave — such as annual leave, personal leave, and parental leave — is generally included in the qualifying period, but the specific rules should be confirmed. Gaps should be documented and, if material, discussed with a migration agent before the nomination is lodged.

The 482 visa must generally be in effect at the time the 186 application is lodged. If the 482 expires before the 186 is decided, a bridging visa may apply — but only if the 186 was lodged before the 482 expired and while the holder was in Australia. Lodging the 186 in sufficient time before the 482 expires is important. If the 482 expires while the 186 is pending and no bridging visa applies, the applicant would generally need to depart Australia.

The 186 nomination is lodged by the employer, not the applicant. If the employer withdraws the approved nomination — for example, because the business closes, the employment relationship ends, or the employer decides not to proceed — the 186 application may be refused or become invalid. The applicant has limited ability to prevent a nomination withdrawal. Maintaining a good employment relationship and seeking advice promptly if there are any signs of difficulty is advisable.