Are you working in Australia on a 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa but dreaming of permanent residency? While your current visa permits you to work down under for up to four years, it doesn’t automatically lead to permanent settlement.
Good news awaits you, though. The 186 Direct Entry visa creates a clear path to permanent residency in Australia—even if you haven’t completed the typical two-year employment period with your current sponsor. This valuable opportunity means you could:
•Live anywhere in Australia without location restrictions
• Work for any employer of your choice
• Study at Australian institutions with domestic fee structures
• Access Medicare benefits for healthcare needs
• Stay in Australia indefinitely
The journey requires proper planning and preparation. You’ll need to demonstrate three years of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation and be under 45 years old when you apply. The processing timeline typically spans 5 to 12 months, but understanding the specific requirements helps ensure a smoother transition.
Wondering how to turn your temporary stay into a permanent home? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about moving from a 482 visa to permanent residency through the 186 Direct Entry stream.
Can a 482 Visa Holder Apply for 186 Direct Entry?
The answer is a clear yes! If you currently hold a 482 visa, you can apply for the 186 Direct Entry stream without completing any mandatory work period with your sponsoring employer. This path offers a direct route to permanent residency that many temporary visa holders find attractive.
Legal eligibility of 482 holders for 186 DE
Qualifying for the 186 Direct Entry pathway requires meeting specific criteria:
- Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- You must be under 45 years of age when you lodge your application
- You need a formal skills assessment matching your nominated occupation
- You must show evidence of at least three years of full-time work experience in your nominated occupation
- You need nomination from an Australian employer with an active, lawful business operation
Some applicants qualify for age exemptions. These include academics, scientists, researchers, technical specialists, and certain New Zealand visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for at least two years.
Health requirements apply to you and any family members included in your application. The Department will also review your immigration history during assessment.
Recent policy changes affecting 482 to 186 transitions
December 2024 brought significant changes to the migration framework, creating better opportunities for 482 visa holders seeking permanent status:
- The 186 Direct Entry stream now uses the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) instead of the previous Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- This change widens access for people whose jobs were previously on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- A key benefit: even if your occupation has been removed from the CSOL but you currently hold a 482 visa, you might still qualify for the 186 visa
The core skills income threshold remains at AUD 111,845.64 for the Direct Entry stream. Remember that you must submit your visa application within 6 months after your nomination approval.
These updates show a practical move towards a fairer, more flexible sponsorship system in Australia, helping skilled workers secure permanent residency with fewer obstacles.
Step-by-Step Guide to 186 Direct Entry Application
Picture yourself unpacking boxes in your permanent Australian home. The journey from your 482 visa to this moment starts with a well-executed 186 Direct Entry application. This pathway demands careful planning and attention to specific requirements at each stage.
Preparing for your skills assessment
Your first task is obtaining a positive skills assessment from the authority relevant to your occupation. Complete this assessment before lodging your visa application, though you can submit the actual assessment document later. Most skills assessments remain valid for 3 years from issue date unless they specify a different expiry date.
Securing employer nomination
The Australian company wanting to hire you must submit a nomination application through their ImmiAccount. They’ll also need to pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy:
- For businesses with annual turnover less than AUD 15.29 million: AUD 4,586.97 per nomination
- For businesses with annual turnover of at least AUD 15.29 million: AUD 7,644.95 per nomination
This nomination details your employment conditions and position specifics, forming the foundation of your application.
Gathering required documentation
Your application package should include:
- Valid passport and identification documents
- Positive skills assessment certificate
- Proof of three years’ work experience in your nominated occupation
- English language test results
- Character clearances from countries you’ve lived in
- Health examination results
- Professional registration/licence (if your occupation requires one)
Meanwhile, your employer needs to provide business registration documents, financial statements, and evidence showing genuine need for your position.
Lodging your application
After nomination approval, a six-month window opens for you to submit your visa application through ImmiAccount. Pay the application fee and make note of your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) – this becomes your tracking code throughout the process.
What happens after submission
The Department will acknowledge receiving your application shortly after submission. During processing, they may request additional information or clarification. Quick responses to these requests help avoid unnecessary delays. While you can check your application status through ImmiAccount, be aware that the Department rarely provides progress updates during standard processing periods.
Key Requirements for 482 Holders Transitioning to PR
Looking to secure your future in Australia permanently? When shifting from a 482 visa to permanent residency through the 186 Direct Entry stream, several critical requirements stand between you and success. Let’s explore what you’ll need to prepare.
Three years work experience requirement
The 186 Direct Entry stream demands proof of at least three years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation. This must be full-time experience directly related to your intended role. Unlike the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, which counts time with your current sponsor, the Direct Entry path considers your total career experience in the occupation.
What’s helpful for international applicants is that overseas work counts toward this three-year total. However, your skills assessment authority will carefully evaluate whether this experience matches Australian workplace standards and practices.
Occupation on the eligible skilled list
Your occupation must feature on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) to qualify for 186 Direct Entry. This list has taken the place of the previously used Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for Direct Entry applications. For classification purposes, the Department relies on the 2022 version of ANZSCO for the 186 visa programme.
Your first task should be confirming your current role appears on the CSOL. Every occupation listed has a specific ANZSCO code and designated assessing authority. Through their skills assessment, this authority confirms whether your qualifications and experience align with Australian standards for your nominated position.
Salary thresholds and market rates
Meeting salary requirements involves satisfying multiple financial thresholds:
- Your guaranteed annual earnings must reach at least AUD 111,845.64 (excluding superannuation and non-monetary benefits)
- Your pay packet must match or exceed the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for equivalent Australian workers in the same location
- Both your AMSR and actual salary need to meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) of AUD 73,150 for applications submitted between 7 December 2024 and 30 June 2025
High earners should note: if your salary tops AUD 382,247.56 annually, you’re exempt from AMSR requirements. The Department determines AMSR through several methods, including comparisons with equivalent Australian workers, enterprise agreement reviews, job advertisement analysis, and remuneration survey data.
These salary rules serve an important purpose – ensuring overseas workers receive fair compensation that matches what Australian workers earn in similar roles.
Common Challenges and Solutions for 482 to 186 DE Transitions
The path from temporary work status to permanent residency isn’t always smooth. Many 482 visa holders face roadblocks during their 186 Direct Entry application journey. Let’s explore these common hurdles and the practical solutions that could save your application.
Skills assessment difficulties
Skills assessment is a mandatory requirement for the 186 Direct Entry stream and often becomes the first major obstacle. Received a negative assessment outcome? Don’t panic. Most assessing bodies offer review or appeal processes within specific timeframes—for instance, TRA allows 90 days to lodge a review application.
Different assessment authorities handle additional documentation differently. The Australian Computer Society and VETASSESS specifically permit extra supporting documents during reviews but not appeals. Sometimes, unsuccessful outcomes stem from lacking required qualifications or experience. When this happens, your best path forward is gaining those necessary credentials before submitting a fresh application.
Employer sponsorship issues
Even with an enthusiastic employer backing you, sponsorship complications might emerge. Your employer needs to demonstrate they’re actively and lawfully operating in Australia and that your position is genuine. Many applications face delays because employers struggle with complex requirements shaped by Department policy and case law.
To sidestep these problems, ensure your employer fully understands all nomination obligations, including the Skilling Australians Fund levy payment. Seeking professional advice from migration experts specialising in employer-sponsored visas can significantly smooth your journey through these requirements.
Age limitation workarounds
Though applicants typically need to be under 45 years when applying, several valuable exemptions exist:
- Academics nominated by Australian universities
- Scientists, researchers or technical specialists nominated by government agencies or universities
- Special Category (subclass 444) or New Zealand citizen family member (461) visa holders who have worked for the nominating employer for at least 2 years
- High-income earners making at least AUD 267,573.29 annually for three consecutive years
English test preparation
You must showcase at least competent English through specified test results. For competent English, this means achieving minimum scores in tests like IELTS (at least 6 in each component) or TOEFL iBT.
Non-native English speakers often find this requirement particularly challenging. Prepare thoroughly by joining language classes, using online resources, and practising under timed conditions to simulate actual test environments. Citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland enjoy a simpler option—they can submit their valid passports as evidence of English proficiency.
Alternative PR Pathways if 186 DE Isn’t Suitable
Picture this: your 186 Direct Entry application hits an unexpected roadblock. Perhaps your occupation isn’t on the right list, or your skills assessment didn’t go as planned. Don’t worry—your Australian dream isn’t over. Several alternative pathways to permanent residency exist for 482 visa holders who can’t proceed with the Direct Entry stream.
Waiting for 186 TRT eligibility
Good news arrived in November 2023. All 482 visa holders can now access the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after working for their sponsoring employer for just two years instead of the previous three-year requirement. This vital change means you could qualify for permanent residency sooner through your current employer, provided they’re willing to continue your sponsorship.
Exploring 190/189 skilled visas
Want freedom from employer sponsorship? Independent skilled migration offers these options:
- The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) needs no sponsorship but requires at least 65 points and your occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
- The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) requires state/territory nomination, gives you 5 extra points, and asks you to live in the nominating state/territory for at least 2 years
Both visas provide full permanent residency benefits, including Medicare access and unrestricted work rights across Australia. The 190 typically processes faster as a trade-off for committing to a specific location.
Regional visa options (494 leading to 191)
Fancy life beyond the big smoke? Regional visas create excellent opportunities for those happy to settle outside major cities. The subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visa leads to the permanent subclass 191 visa after three years. To qualify for the 191 visa, you must:
- Have held a 494 visa for at least 3 years
- Provide tax assessments covering three income years
- Meet all visa conditions throughout your stay
- Pay the application fee of AUD490 for the main applicant
Partner and family visa alternatives
Sometimes your personal connections open doors to residency. If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you might qualify for a Partner visa (subclass 820/801). Plus, as a 482 visa holder, you can include family members when transitioning to any permanent visa—covering dependent children and partners (whether married or de facto).
Conclusion
Imagine unpacking your belongings in your own Australian home, knowing you’re here to stay permanently. The journey from a 482 visa to permanent residency through the 186 Direct Entry stream offers this reality for skilled workers ready to call Australia home. While the process demands careful attention to age requirements, skills assessments and work experience verification, recent policy shifts have created a more accessible pathway than ever before.
Will your application succeed? The answer largely depends on your preparation and understanding of the requirements. Meeting the core skills income threshold, securing solid employer nomination and assembling comprehensive documentation will dramatically improve your approval chances. If the 186 Direct Entry stream doesn’t suit your circumstances, don’t despair—alternative pathways like the TRT stream, skilled independent visas, or regional options remain within reach.
Each visa pathway caters to different situations and requirements. Take time to honestly assess your qualifications, circumstances and long-term goals before selecting your route to permanent residency. Some pathways offer faster processing but demand higher salaries. Others provide more flexibility but require state sponsorship.
With the knowledge gained from this guide, you can approach your Australian immigration journey with confidence. The path might seem complex, but understanding your options makes permanent residency an achievable goal rather than a distant dream.