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
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)
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.
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.
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
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