The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is a temporary visa. For many workers, that feels like an uncertain position — living and working in Australia with a visa that has an end date, without knowing whether permanent residency is actually within reach.

The good news is that the 482 visa has one of the most direct pathways to Australian permanent residency available to skilled workers. The route is through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. For workers who have been employed by an approved sponsor in Australia, this pathway is clear and achievable.

What Is the 186 TRT Stream?

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is a permanent visa. It allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency in Australia. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is the specific 186 pathway for workers who are already in Australia on a 482 visa and have built qualifying employment with their sponsor.

Unlike the Direct Entry stream of the 186 visa — which is generally for applicants who have not previously held a 482 visa — the TRT stream is designed for workers transitioning from an existing employer-sponsored temporary visa to permanent residency with the same employer.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the subclass 186 visa lets skilled workers nominated by their employer live and work in Australia permanently.

What You Need to Qualify

The 186 TRT has its own set of requirements that are separate from — and in some ways stricter than — the 482 visa conditions.

Two years of qualifying employment: You must have worked for your nominating employer for at least two years in the nominated occupation while holding a valid 482 visa. This requirement changed in November 2025. Before that change, workers needed three years of qualifying employment. Reducing it to two years made permanent residency accessible earlier for a significant number of 482 holders already working in Australia.

The two years do not have to be continuous in all circumstances. If you have changed approved sponsors during that period, and both employers were approved sponsors, the employment may still count toward the requirement — provided the work was genuine and in the nominated occupation.

Age under 45: You must be under 45 years of age at the time you apply. Specific exemptions exist for academics and scientists in some circumstances, but these are limited in scope.

English language: The 186 TRT requires a higher English standard than the 482 visa. You generally need an IELTS overall score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.0. This is notably higher than the 5.0 overall score required for the 482 itself. (It is a common surprise for workers who met the 482 English requirement to find they need to resit a test before applying for the 186.) For preparation strategies, read: How to Improve Your PTE Score for Australian Visa Success.

No skills assessment required: Unlike the Direct Entry stream of the 186, the TRT stream generally does not require a formal skills assessment. This is one of the practical benefits of the TRT route for workers who have already been working in their occupation in Australia.

Employer nomination: Your employer must agree to nominate you and lodge a nomination application under the 186 program. This is an active step the employer takes. Permanent residency does not happen automatically when the two-year period is reached.

Salary Thresholds for the 186 Visa in 2026

The salary thresholds for the 186 visa are aligned with those for the 482. The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) applies to 186 nominations as well. From 1 July 2026, the CSIT rises to $79,499 per year, up from $76,515, as confirmed by Baker McKenzie. Nominations lodged before 1 July 2026 are assessed against the current threshold. Any nomination submitted from that date must meet the new figure.

How Long Does the 186 TRT Take?

Processing times for the 186 visa TRT stream are currently running at approximately 13 months at the median. Around 90% of applications are processed within approximately 18 months, based on available migration industry data. Individual processing times vary based on document completeness, case complexity, and the Department of Home Affairs caseload at time of lodgement.

For updated processing time benchmarks, read: Ultimate Guide to Australian Visa Processing Times (2025).

What Happens While You Wait

If your 482 visa expires while your 186 application is still being processed, you can apply for a bridging visa. A bridging visa allows you to remain in Australia lawfully while the Department of Home Affairs assesses your permanent residency application. You can generally continue working for your sponsoring employer during this period. For full details on bridging visa conditions and work rights, read: Bridging Visas Explained: Work Rights & FAQs.

What If the 186 TRT Is Not Available to You?

Not every 482 holder will have access to the 186 TRT. If your employer does not wish to nominate you, or if you are over 45, this specific pathway is not available. There are other routes worth considering.

If your occupation is on the skilled migration occupation list and you have enough points, the points-tested system offers a pathway to PR through the 189 or 190 visa, independent of any employer. Read: Australia PR Points System 2025 and use the Australia PR Points Calculator to check your score.

If you are in a regional area, the 491 regional visa may be a step toward permanent residency. Read: Regional Visa 491 to PR: The 3-Year Journey Nobody Talks About.

For a complete overview of employer sponsorship requirements including LMT and the application stages, read: Employer Sponsorship for the Skills in Demand Visa: What You Need to Know.

AEO Questions: 482 Visa to PR via the 186 TRT Stream

How long do I need to work on a 482 visa before I can apply for the 186 TRT?

You need to have worked for your sponsoring employer for at least two years in the nominated occupation while holding a valid 482 visa. This minimum period was reduced from three years to two years following a policy change in November 2025.

What English score do I need for the 186 TRT visa?

The 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream requires an IELTS overall score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.0. This is higher than the IELTS 5.0 required for the 482 visa, so some workers who met the 482 English requirement will need to take a new test before applying.

Do I need a skills assessment for the 186 TRT stream?

Generally, no. The TRT stream does not require a formal skills assessment, unlike the Direct Entry stream of the 186 visa. This is one reason the TRT stream is often the preferred permanent residency pathway for workers who have been employed in Australia on a 482 visa.

What happens to my 186 application if my 482 visa expires during processing?

If your 482 visa expires while your 186 application is being assessed, you can apply for a bridging visa to remain in Australia lawfully. You can generally continue working for your sponsoring employer while on the bridging visa. For more information on bridging visa rights and conditions, read: Bridging Visas Explained: Work Rights & FAQs.

Speak to a Registered Migration Agent

The 186 TRT application requires accurate timing, complete documentation, and employer cooperation. Getting each of these right before lodging makes a material difference to the process. Desire Migration is led by Mrs. Manisha Bhutani, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217756), with offices in Truganina and Melbourne CBD. Contact Desire Migration for guidance on transitioning from the 482 visa to permanent residency.