Last updated: 30 March 2026

482 to PR: How to Convert Your TSS Visa to Permanent Residency

The subclass 482 TSS visa is temporary — but for medium-term stream holders, it is a structured first step toward permanent residency in Australia. The pathway runs through the subclass 186 employer nomination visa Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. If you have worked for your nominating employer for the required period, meet the eligibility criteria, and your employer is ready to nominate you, this guide walks you through every stage of the transition.

How Does the 482 to PR Pathway Work?

The 482-to-PR pathway is not automatic. It requires two applications — one from your employer (a 186 nomination) and one from you (a 186 TRT visa application) — both lodged with the Department of Home Affairs. When both are approved, you receive a permanent visa from the date of decision.

The mechanism is the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the subclass 186 employer nomination visa. The TRT stream was designed for workers already in Australia on employer-sponsored temporary visas who have built a verified work history with their nominating employer. Your employer applies under the 186 framework, confirming that your role is ongoing, your salary meets requirements, and your employment history is genuine. You then apply for the 186 TRT visa, assessed on your work period, English, health, character, and age.

A few structural points worth understanding before you proceed:

• Stream matters. The TRT pathway is accessible to medium-term stream 482 holders. Short-term stream holders generally cannot use the 186 TRT — their options for employer-sponsored PR are significantly more limited.
• No points test. The 186 TRT does not use a competitive points score or SkillSelect. Eligibility is assessed against fixed criteria.
• No invitation round. Unlike the 189 and 190 pathways, there is no competitive queue. If you meet the criteria and your employer nominates you, you can lodge at any time.
• Your family is included. Secondary applicants on your 482 can be included in the 186 application and receive permanent residency at the same time.

For workers with a willing employer and the right occupation, this is a direct and navigable route to permanent residency.

What Are the Requirements for the 186 TRT Stream?

The requirements for the 186 TRT stream cover four main areas: your work history, skills, English proficiency, and age.

Work period with the same employer

You must have worked for your nominating employer in your nominated occupation for a qualifying period before the 186 application is lodged — typically two years of full-time work in the three years immediately before lodgement. Your work must have been under a 482 (or 457) visa with the employer who is now nominating you.

Part-time work, extended unpaid leave, and breaks in employment can affect whether this requirement is met. Review your actual employment record carefully before lodging. The Department scrutinises work history in TRT assessments.

Skills assessment

For most TRT applicants, a formal skills assessment is not required if one was completed and accepted for your 482 application. If your occupation changed between your 482 and your 186 nomination, you may need a current skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.

English proficiency

You must demonstrate competent English — an IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band below 5.0, or equivalent results in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. Passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland are generally exempt. Your test result must not have expired at lodgement — most tests are valid for three years, so book a renewal well in advance if needed.

Age

You must be under 45 at the time you lodge your 186 visa application. The TRT stream has exemptions in specific circumstances — if you are approaching the threshold, discuss your position with a migration agent before assuming you are ineligible.

What Does Your Employer Need to Do?

The employer’s role is substantial. They lodge a formal nomination application, meet compliance obligations, and maintain their commitment throughout the processing period.

Approved sponsorship status

Your employer must hold current Standard Business Sponsor approval — valid for five years. If approval has lapsed, it must be renewed before the nomination can proceed.

Lodging the 186 nomination

The employer lodges a 186 TRT nomination through ImmiAccount demonstrating that the role is genuine and ongoing, the position matches the nominated ANZSCO occupation, the salary meets the current TSMIT and market rates, and the employment relationship is continuing at the time of nomination.

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy

The SAF levy applies again for the 186 nomination — it is not a one-time payment from the 482 stage:

• Small businesses (annual turnover under AUD 10 million): AUD 1,800 (one-off, permanent nomination)
• Other businesses: AUD 3,000 (one-off, permanent nomination)

This is an employer cost. Employers are prohibited from recovering the levy or nomination fees from you.

Labour market testing

The TRT stream generally does not require labour market testing, since the employment relationship is already established — a practical advantage over the Direct Entry stream.

Ongoing commitment during processing

Your employer must maintain the employment relationship — same role, same salary — while the 186 is being assessed. Material changes should be disclosed to the Department promptly.

Step-by-Step Process: From 482 to 186 TRT to PR

Step 1 — Confirm your eligibility (1–4 weeks)

Review your employment history, English test expiry, occupation match, and age before anything is lodged. If any of these areas have gaps, address them first.

Step 2 — Your employer lodges the 186 nomination (processing: 1–3 months)

Your employer lodges the nomination through ImmiAccount, paying the SAF levy and AUD 330 nomination application charge. The nomination includes employment records, payslips, employment contract, and business details.

Step 3 — You lodge the 186 TRT visa application (can be concurrent with Step 2)

Concurrent lodgement is common and does not disadvantage either application. Your application includes identity documents, English evidence, health results (the Department sends a health referral after lodgement), and police certificates.

Step 4 — Health examinations and police clearances (2–8 weeks)

Book your medical examination promptly after the health request arrives. Obtain police clearances in advance and attach them at lodgement where possible.

Step 5 — Assessment and decision (3–12 months from lodgement)

A case officer assesses both the nomination and visa application. Complete applications move faster. Respond quickly if additional information is requested.

Step 6 — PR grant

If approved, you receive a subclass 186 visa — permanent residency from the date of the decision. Secondary applicants included in your application receive the same grant.

How Long Does the 482 to PR Transition Take?

The total timeline has two components: the qualifying work period on your 482 and the 186 processing period.

The qualifying work period

You must complete the required work period before lodging a 186 TRT application — typically two years of full-time work with your nominating employer. For most workers, the 482-to-PR journey takes at least two years from 482 grant, often longer once you factor in preparation and lodgement time.

186 TRT processing time

These figures apply to complete applications. Missing documents or unresolved health assessments extend timelines significantly.

Combined timeline

For a typical medium-term stream worker: two years to build the work history, then six to twelve months for the 186 to be decided — roughly two to three years total from 482 grant to PR.

Your 482 status is maintained throughout 186 processing. If your 482 expires before the 186 is decided, a Bridging Visa A preserves your lawful status and work rights. Renewing your 482 before it expires — rather than relying on the bridging visa — provides a more stable position during the wait.

How Much Does It Cost to Go from 482 to PR?

The 482-to-PR transition involves fees from both the 482 stage and the 186 application. The table below covers the 186-specific costs, since the 482 fees will already have been paid.

The AUD 4,640 visa application charge for the primary applicant is the largest fixed cost. There is no refund if the application is refused. If your employer contributed to your 482 fees, discuss the 186 cost arrangement with them early — some employers cover the SAF levy and part of the visa charge as part of a retention arrangement.

Common Mistakes That Delay the 482 to PR Pathway

The 186 TRT pathway is well-defined, but several common errors cause applications to stall or be refused.

Changing employers before meeting the work period requirement

Your TRT work period must be with the nominating employer — work done for a previous employer on a different 482 nomination does not count. If you change jobs, the clock resets. Plan employer changes carefully and understand the PR implications before you move.

Gaps in employment

Extended unpaid leave, reduced hours, or employment gaps can raise questions about whether you genuinely meet the full-time requirement. Keep thorough records from day one — payslips, leave approval letters, and employment contracts. Discuss any leave periods with a migration agent before lodging.

Applying under the wrong stream

Short-term stream 482 holders generally cannot use the 186 TRT stream. Applying under the wrong stream results in refusal. Check your visa grant notice to confirm your stream if you are unsure.

English test expiry

If your English test result expires before lodgement, you will need a new result. Check your test expiry date and book a renewal well in advance.

Incomplete applications at lodgement

Missing documents — health results not initiated, police clearances absent, employment records incomplete — generate further information requests that add months to processing. A complete application at lodgement is the most reliable way to keep assessment on track.

Material employment changes during processing

Changes to your role, salary, or employment status after lodging the 186 can affect the nomination outcome. Disclose material changes to your migration agent promptly.

What If Your Employer Cannot Nominate You?

Not every employer is in a position to nominate their 482 workers for permanent residency. Businesses that close, downsize, or lose sponsorship approval leave their sponsored workers needing to reassess PR options.

If this applies to you, several pathways may be available depending on your occupation, location, and points score.

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa

If your occupation is on the relevant list and you can build a competitive points score through SkillSelect, the 189 offers permanent residency without employer sponsorship. Invitation competitiveness varies significantly by occupation.

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa

The 190 is sponsored by a state or territory government. A state nomination adds 5 points to your SkillSelect score. Requirements and occupation lists vary by jurisdiction and are updated regularly.

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

If you are willing to commit to regional Australia, the 491 provides a provisional pathway to PR via the subclass 191 after three years. It provides a 15-point SkillSelect boost and a five-year provisional visa.

Finding a new sponsoring employer

A new employer could nominate you for a fresh 482, restarting the TRT clock. This keeps the employer sponsored visa Australia pathway open if you find a committed sponsor, though it is not a short-term solution.

Assess your points score and alternative options before your circumstances become urgent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you have to work for your employer before applying for PR?

For the 186 TRT stream, the standard requirement is two years of full-time work in the nominated occupation within the three years immediately before lodgement. The exact application depends on your stream and when your 482 was granted. Always verify current requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website, as policy details can be updated.

Can you change employers and still get PR from a 482?

If you change employers, the TRT work period clock may reset entirely. Work completed for your previous employer does not transfer to a new nomination’s TRT period. Your new employer would need to be an approved sponsor and lodge a fresh nomination. Model the impact on your PR timeline before accepting any new offer.

Do you need a points test to go from 482 to PR?

No. The 186 TRT stream does not use a points test, SkillSelect, or an invitation process. Eligibility is assessed against fixed criteria — work history, occupation match, English, health, character, and age. Your eligibility does not depend on your score relative to other applicants.

What happens if your employer withdraws the nomination?

If the nomination is withdrawn before the visa is granted, the application is typically refused. The nomination and visa application are linked — the visa cannot proceed without an approved nomination. Employer commitment throughout the processing period is essential. Any concerns about your employer’s intentions warrant an early conversation with a migration agent.

What Should You Do Next?

If you are on a 482 visa and permanent residency is your goal, start by confirming where you stand. Check your 482 stream — if you are on the medium-term stream, you have a direct TRT pathway. Calculate how much qualifying work time you have accumulated with your current employer and when you will reach the required threshold. Check your English test expiry. Have an honest conversation with your employer about their willingness to nominate you for permanent residency when the time comes.

The variables that create uncertainty — employer changes, employment gaps, incomplete documents — are largely within your control if you manage them from the outset.

For the full picture on permanent visa options, the permanent residency in Australia overview covers every pathway. For the complete 186 nomination and visa requirements, the subclass 186 employer nomination visa guide covers both the TRT and Direct Entry streams in detail.

We work with 482 holders at every stage of the pathway to PR — from initial eligibility assessment through to 186 lodgement and beyond.