482 vs 186: how the two pathways differ

Subclass 482 provides temporary work rights through employer sponsorship. Subclass 186 grants permanent residence when its employer nomination and visa criteria are met. A 482 can support a later 186 plan, while eligible workers may use 186 Direct Entry without first holding a 482.

Aarish Haider · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2619656
Updated 2026-10-22 · General information · Official-source check 2026-10-22

Rules and program availability can change. Check the official sources below before making an application or committing to a course, job or relocation.

Key facts

Temporary and permanent employer routes
Question	482 — Skills in Demand	186 — Employer Nomination Scheme
Status	Temporary	Permanent
Streams	Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement	Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, Labour Agreement
Employer process	Sponsor approval or relevant agreement, plus role nomination	ENS nomination; SBS is not a universal prerequisite
Experience	Standard Core and Specialist streams: one year relevant full-time-equivalent work within the preceding five years	Direct Entry: generally three years skilled full-time work; TRT: generally two years eligible sponsored work within the preceding three years
Formal assessment	Mandatory for certain applicants	Usually required for Direct Entry; different rules for TRT and agreements
EOI or points	No	No

Requirements

Compare the occupation, actual role, salary, age, English, assessment and work history against the chosen stream. For 482 Core Skills and 186 Direct Entry, check the CSOL and caveats. TRT has no separate occupation list; its occupation rules relate to the most recently held temporary skilled visa.

Process

Assess whether the worker and position qualify for 186 now.
If a temporary route fits, identify the relevant 482 stream and its employer requirements.
For a proposed TRT route, check the eligible visa and sponsored work history separately.
Confirm the employer’s willingness and ability to lodge the appropriate nomination.

Common issues

Holding a 482 for two years is not an automatic 186 entitlement. A new permanent nomination and full stream eligibility are required. Processing priority does not waive eligibility criteria or provide a decision deadline.

Official sources

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Core Skills streamAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Specialist Skills streamAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Labour Agreement streamAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): Direct Entry streamAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): Temporary Residence Transition streamAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): Labour Agreement streamAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Department of Home Affairs — Skilled occupation listsAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22
Skilled visa processing prioritiesAustralian Government, Department of Home Affairs · Source check 2026-10-22

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