Eligible visa history
The applicant generally holds a subclass 457 or 482 visa, or an eligible bridging visa associated with one of those visas.
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482 TO 186 · TRT PATHWAY
A 482 visa can support a later 186 application, but it does not convert automatically.
The Temporary Residence Transition stream connects eligible sponsored work with an employer nomination. Timing, employment history and the employer’s continuing role all need to align.
The usual benchmark is two years of eligible sponsored employment in the previous three years.
That benchmark is only one part of the case. The employer nomination, position, age, English, visa history and any exemption must be checked under the rules applying when the applications are lodged.
TRT eligibility checks
Six issues should be resolved before relying on this pathway.
Two years of eligible sponsored work
Usually at least two years of eligible full-time sponsored employment in Australia during the three years immediately before the visa application.
Employer nomination
An approved 186 TRT nomination is required. The nomination generally needs to have been approved within six months before the visa application.
Age and English
The applicant is usually under 45 and has Competent English unless a current legislative or agreement exemption applies.
Genuine ongoing position
The employer and position must support genuine, ongoing full-time employment and satisfy nomination, salary and compliance requirements.
Health, character and evidence
The applicant and relevant family members still need to satisfy the applicable visa, health and character criteria.
Application timeline
Nomination and visa preparation should be planned together.
01Audit visa and sponsored employment history
02Confirm employer eligibility and the ongoing position
03Resolve age, English and any exemption question
04Prepare and lodge the 186 TRT nomination
05Lodge the 186 visa within the applicable timing
06Respond to requests and maintain lawful status and employment
Common mistake
Treating two calendar years as the whole test
Employment periods need to be eligible and evidenced. Unpaid leave, work outside Australia, changes in visa status, occupation or sponsorship, and interrupted employment can affect the calculation and evidence required.
Alternative route
Direct Entry is a separate 186 stream
A person who does not fit TRT may still examine Direct Entry, but that stream applies its own occupation, skills assessment, experience, age and English criteria. It is not a shortcut around an ineligible TRT case.
Popular employer sponsorship questions
Move from a visa name to a workable pathway.
These guides connect the temporary, permanent and regional options. They provide general information, not a conclusion about an individual case.
PERMANENT PATHWAY
How does a 482 visa lead to a 186 visa?
Understand the TRT two-year work period, nomination timing and the checks that still apply.
Read the guide →482 TO 186 CHECKLISTWhat are the 482-to-186 TRT requirements?
Review eligible sponsored employment, nomination, age, English, skills and evidence.
Read the guide →PATHWAY COMPARISON482, 186 or 494: which visa fits?
Start with the employer, position, location and intended outcome—not the visa number.
Read the guide →OCCUPATION & ASSESSMENTWhich occupation list and skills assessment apply?
Check ANZSCO versions, occupation lists, caveats and assessment settings for 482, 186 and 494.
Read the guide →CHANGE OF EMPLOYERWhat happens after a 482 job ends?
Understand the 180-day period, aggregate limit, new nomination and effect on a future 186 pathway.
Read the guide →482 TO 186 REVIEW
Review my pathway