From 482 to permanent residency: employer sponsored

How the pathway works

To use the TRT stream, a worker must meet all eight rules below.

1. The worker holds the right visa
The worker holds a 482 visa (Skills in Demand, or the earlier Temporary Skill Shortage visa), a 457 visa, or a bridging visa linked to one of these. A 482 in any stream qualifies.

2. The current sponsor nominates
The nominating employer must be the worker's current 482 sponsor. A new employer must first have a 482 nomination approved for the worker.

3. The worker has 2 years of sponsored work
The worker needs at least 2 years of full-time work in Australia in the 3 years before lodging the visa application. The following points apply:

a) Unpaid leave does not count.
b) The work must have been in an occupation the worker was approved for.
c) Work with more than one employer can be combined.
d) Only work done while sponsored by an approved work sponsor counts.
c) After a change of employer, work counts from the date the new employer's nomination was lodged.

4. The worker is under 45 when applying
Exemptions cover some academics, scientists and researchers, and some regional medical practitioners. They also cover workers who earned at least the Fair Work high income threshold, currently AUD190,100, across the qualifying 2 years.

5. The worker has Competent English
There are no exemptions for this stream. Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland can meet the rule with their passport. Everyone else needs an approved English test taken in the 3 years before applying.

6. The salary meets both minimums
The market salary rate for the role must be at least the CSIT. The worker's guaranteed earnings must be at least the CSIT and at least the market rate. The threshold that applies is the one in force when the nomination is lodged.

7. No occupation list applies
Eligibility follows the occupation on the worker's 457 or 482 visa.

8. The worker applies within 6 months
The visa application must be lodged within 6 months of the nomination being approved. The visa charge starts from AUD6,140.

If the worker doesn't meet these rules yet, another route may fit:

- 186 Direct Entry: for workers without 2 years of sponsored work. It uses an occupation list and needs a skills assessment. Competent English, the age limit and the CSIT still apply.
- 186 Labour Agreement: for employers with a labour agreement, such as a DAMA. Age, English and salary terms follow the agreement, which may include concessions.
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): for holders of a 491 or 494 visa. The worker must have held that visa for 3 years and earned at least AUD53,900 taxable income in each of 3 income years. No employer nomination is needed.

Who it affects

• Employers with 482 or 457 visa holders they want to keep long term.
• Employers whose sponsored workers have recently changed employers. These employers should check that the worker's earlier work was with an approved sponsor.
• Employers with a labour agreement, who may nominate through the 186 Labour Agreement stream.
• Regional businesses whose workers hold 491 or 494 visas, where the 191 may be the permanent step.

What to do

• Track each sponsored worker's full-time sponsored employment and their age at the date they are likely to apply.
• Check the salary for a 186 nomination meets the annual market salary rate and the income threshold in force when you lodge.
• Confirm the worker's English, skills and any mandatory licence or registration before you nominate.
• Plan timing: the worker has six months from nomination approval to lodge their visa application.
• Where the worker does not yet meet the TRT timeframe, ask whether the Direct Entry, Labour Agreement or regional pathway fits better.