Employer-sponsored work and permanent visas — Skills in Demand (482) & ENS (186)
A clear guide to the pathway from working under the sponsorship of an Australian employer through to permanent residency, based on the major 2024 reforms.
Overview — what is an employer-sponsored visa?
Australian employer-sponsored visas are visas in which an Australian employer sponsors a foreign worker to fill a specific occupation. The main examples are the temporary work visa Skills in Demand (subclass 482) and the permanent visa Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). With the major reform of 7 December 2024, the former TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) 482 became the Skills in Demand visa, and the streams and the income and work-experience requirements changed significantly.
Distinguishing temporary (482) from permanent (186)
The 482 (Skills in Demand) is a temporary visa allowing you to work for up to 4 years in a nominated occupation under an approved employer. The 186 (ENS) is a visa that grants permanent residency from the outset, and it has a Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream for people who have already been working on a 482 or similar visa and are transitioning, and a Direct Entry stream for those applying directly from overseas or as new applicants. Many people follow the path of working on a 482 and then obtaining permanent residency through the 186.
Application process and key requirements
Employer-sponsored visas proceed in a three-stage structure. First, the employer becomes an approved sponsor; second, they nominate a specific position (nomination); and third, the worker applies for the visa. The nomination and the visa application can be lodged at the same time.
Who does what?
Obtaining sponsor approval and lodging the nomination are the employer's responsibility, and the employer must also meet the income threshold (salary) and occupation-list suitability. The worker applies for the visa having met the work-experience, English, skills assessment, health and identity requirements. The nominated occupation must be on a relevant occupation list such as the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and the salary paid must be at or above the income threshold (e.g. the Core Skills Income Threshold) and the market salary rate.
- Confirm that the employer is an approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsorship)
- Confirm that the nominated occupation is on a relevant occupation list such as the CSOL and that the salary is at or above the applicable income threshold
- Confirm whether you meet the work-experience, English and skills assessment requirements
Income thresholds, occupation lists and work-experience requirements change frequently with the 2024–2025 reforms. Do not simply apply the old TSS criteria — always check the latest information from Home Affairs.
Eligibility requirements and documents to prepare
The main requirements a worker must meet are relevant work experience, English proficiency, a skills assessment (if required), and health and identity. The reform relaxed the work-experience requirement (e.g. to 1 year), but this varies by occupation and stream, so individual verification is needed.
- Passport and identity documents, evidence of relevant work experience within the last 5 years, and education/qualification documents
- A skills assessment result (from the relevant assessing authority) where required by the occupation or stream
- English test results (IELTS, etc.), a health examination at a designated clinic, and a penal clearance (police clearance)
Documents issued overseas may require a NAATI-certified translation. A skills assessment can take a long time to process, so it is best to apply in advance.
Four visa types / streams
Employer-sponsored visas have different requirements depending on the stream. The three streams of the temporary visa (482) and the permanent visa (186) can be summarised as follows.
The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and the salary must be at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT, AUD 73,150 at introduction). This is the most common stream.
This is for high-earning professional and managerial roles with a salary at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT, AUD 135,000 at introduction). There is no occupation-list restriction, but some occupation groups (such as trades, machinery operators and labourers) are excluded, and it is noted as being for priority processing.
This applies where an employer that has entered into a Labour Agreement with the government sponsors under the terms of that agreement. Occupations and requirements differ from agreement to agreement.
This is a permanent visa, and it has the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, which you transition to after working with a sponsoring employer for a certain period, and the Direct Entry stream, which you apply for directly. There are conditions at the time of application, such as being under 45 years of age.
Step-by-step checklist
Practical points worth checking before and after applying.
- Clearly agree the stream, nominated occupation and salary with your employer in advance.
- Accurately confirm the nominated occupation's ANZSCO code and whether it is on the occupation list.
- A skills assessment can have a long processing time, so apply as early as possible.
- Prepare NAATI-certified translations of overseas documents and set up an ImmiAccount account in advance.
- If you have the 186 transition in mind, manage your employment period, age (45 years) and English requirements ahead of time.
Common mistakes and cautions
The following mistakes can lead to visa delays or refusals or to financial loss, so be especially careful.
- Do not trust unregistered brokers who claim a "100% guarantee of permanent residency". No one can guarantee the outcome.
- Many people mistakenly assume the old TSS criteria for income thresholds and occupation lists. Check the criteria applicable after the 2024 reform.
- If your evidence of work experience or English is inadequate, the nomination and visa assessment may be delayed or refused.
- Do not neglect to manage the period in which you can find a replacement sponsor (e.g. up to 180 days) after your employment ends.
- Some people miss the timing for the 186 transition because they did not attend to the age and employment-period requirements in advance.
Useful official links
- Home Affairs — Skills in Demand (subclass 482)(opens in a new window)
Official guidance on Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa requirements and streams
- Home Affairs — Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)(opens in a new window)
Official guidance on the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) permanent visa
- Home Affairs — 기술직업목록(Skilled occupation lists)(opens in a new window)
Check the skilled occupation list (CSOL, etc.) that includes the nominated occupation
- OMARA — 등록 이민사 확인(opens in a new window)
Verify an OMARA-registered migration agent — protect yourself from unregistered brokers
- Fair Work Ombudsman(opens in a new window)
Information on worker rights such as pay and employment conditions (Fair Work Ombudsman)
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the old TSS 482 visa been abolished?▾
The number is still subclass 482, but from 7 December 2024 its name and content changed to the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. The streams — such as Core Skills and Specialist Skills — and the income and work-experience requirements have been reformed, so check the latest criteria with the Department of Home Affairs.
How many years of relevant work experience do I need?▾
With the major reform the requirement was relaxed to a reported minimum of 1 year (full-time work in a relevant field or the equivalent). The recognised period and how it is calculated differ by stream and occupation, so confirm through the official website and a registered migration agent.
What is the salary (income) threshold?▾
When the reform was introduced, the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) was AUD 73,150 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) was AUD 135,000. These amounts are adjusted (indexation) every 1 July, and the actual salary paid must be at or above the market salary rate, so always check the current figures with Home Affairs.
How long do I need to work on a 482 before moving to permanent residency (186)?▾
The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) was, under the reform, reportedly relaxed to 2 years of work with the sponsoring employer. There are separate requirements for age, English, health and so on, and circumstances vary, so confirm with a registered migration agent.
Is there an age limit?▾
The 482 (SID), being a temporary visa, has no separate upper age limit. However, the 186, being a permanent visa, generally requires you to be under 45 years of age at the time of application, with some exceptions. Check the official website for the detailed conditions.
Can I apply without an employer (sponsor)?▾
No. The 482 and 186 are sponsored visas that require a nomination from an approved employer. If you do not have a sponsoring employer, you will need to separately consider other pathways such as independent or state-nominated skilled migration (e.g. subclass 189/190/491).
Do I have to use a migration agent?▾
It is not legally mandatory, but because the streams, occupation lists and documentation are complex, it is safer to get help from an OMARA-registered migration agent or an immigration lawyer. Avoid unregistered brokers who use phrases like "guaranteed permanent residency."