Subclass 482 / 186
Employer Sponsored Visas (Subclass 482 / 186)
Work in Australia with an approved employer and build a direct pathway to permanent residency through sponsorship.
3–12 Months
$3,115 AUD
Up to 4 Years
Via 186/494
Overview
What is the Employer Sponsored Visas (Subclass 482 / 186)?
Australia's employer-sponsored visa framework gives businesses the ability to fill critical skill gaps with overseas workers, while giving those workers a structured pathway to permanent residence. The two primary visas are the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186).
The Subclass 482 (TSS) is a temporary visa allowing you to work for an approved sponsor in a nominated occupation for up to 4 years (or 5 years for some labour agreements and accredited sponsors). It has three streams: the Short-term stream (for occupations on the STSOL), the Medium-term stream (for MLTSSL occupations, which provides a clearer 186 transition pathway), and the Labour Agreement stream.
The Subclass 186 (ENS) is a permanent visa and can be applied for directly (if you meet the Direct Entry stream requirements) or after 3 years on a 482 visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream). It requires your employer to nominate you for a full-time position in an eligible occupation, and offers immediate permanent residency on grant.
2026 Policy Updates
Critical 2026 Changes
Important — Read Before Applying
The 2025–26 Migration Programme has introduced updated TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold) requirements and revised occupation eligibility for the 482 visa framework. These changes affect sponsorship obligations and stream access.
TSMIT increased to AUD 73,150/year — sponsoring employers must pay the higher of the TSMIT or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the nominated position
Labour Market Testing (LMT): most 482 applications require the employer to demonstrate they advertised the role to Australian residents for at least 4 weeks — records must be retained for 5 years
Short-term stream (STSOL) holders may now apply for a second 482 visa within Australia in limited circumstances — the rules have been clarified for 2025–26
Accredited Sponsor status allows priority processing and some exemptions from LMT — employers with accredited status offer a significant processing advantage
186 Direct Entry stream: requires a skills assessment for most occupations and at least 3 years of relevant full-time work experience — the skills assessment requirement has been tightened for several ANZSCO codes
Age limit for 186 ENS: applicants must be under 45 years at time of application (with some exceptions for high-value roles and state/territory nominations)
Eligibility Criteria
Do You Qualify?
Approved Sponsor
Your employer must be an ATO-registered business approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) by the Department of Home Affairs
Sponsors must meet ongoing obligations including paying market salary rates, not recovering visa costs from employees, and notifying the Department of changes
Maven can help identify and approach potential sponsors and assist employers through the sponsorship approval process
Occupation & Skills
Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant occupation list (MLTSSL for medium-term stream, STSOL for short-term stream)
For the 186 Direct Entry stream, a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body is typically required
You must have at least 2 years of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation (3 years for 186)
English Language
482 (TSS): minimum 'Vocational English' — IELTS 5.0 per band, or equivalent in an approved test
186 (ENS): minimum 'Competent English' — IELTS 6.0 per band or equivalent
Some labour agreements may allow lower English thresholds — check your specific agreement
Pathway to 186 PR
After 3 years on a Subclass 482 in a medium-term stream occupation, you are eligible for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
Your employer must nominate you for a permanent position — the nomination and visa are lodged together
If under 45, have Competent English, and meet the experience requirement, the TRT stream to permanent residency is straightforward
Step-by-Step Process
Your Application Journey
Employer Obtains Sponsorship Approval
Before you can be nominated, your employer must be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). If not already approved, Maven can guide the employer through a process that takes 4–8 weeks.
Employer Lodges a Nomination
The employer nominates you for a specific position (ANZSCO occupation code, salary, and location). Labour Market Testing documentation must accompany most nominations. Nomination processing takes 1–3 months.
You Lodge the Visa Application
You can lodge the 482 visa application at the same time as the nomination (concurrent lodgement), or after the nomination is approved. You will need to provide employment evidence, English test results, health exams, and character documents.
Health & Character Checks
Complete health examinations with an approved panel physician and provide police clearance certificates for every country you have lived in for 12+ months over the past 10 years.
Visa Grant & Commence Work
On visa grant you may commence work with your sponsor. You are tied to your sponsor employer — if you change employers, a new nomination and visa application is required (unless on a 5-year 482).
Transition to Subclass 186 (PR)
After 3 years in a medium-term stream occupation with your sponsor, you can lodge a 186 TRT nomination and visa application. On grant of the 186, you become a permanent resident with no ties to your employer.
Costs & Fees
Understanding the Full Cost
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is payable by the sponsoring employer. It is calculated based on the business's annual turnover and the duration of the 482 visa. Employees cannot be asked to repay the SAF levy — doing so is a breach of sponsor obligations. All visa application charges are non-refundable.
All fees are current as at July 2025 and are subject to annual indexation. Maven Consulting Group's professional fees for preparation and lodgement are separate to the Department of Home Affairs visa application charges. Contact us for a full cost outline.
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