The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 – Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream is a permanent residence visa pathway for skilled workers who have already been employed in Australia on a qualifying temporary work visa (such as the Subclass 482 TSS visa or the former Subclass 457 visa) and are ready to transition to permanent residency with their sponsoring employer.

This stream is designed for workers who have proven their skills, contributed to their employer’s business, and meet the strict criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.

⸻

1) Nomination Eligibility – Employer Requirements

Your Australian employer must meet all nomination requirements before you can apply for the 186 TRT visa.

Be an Eligible Business

Your business must:
• Have no adverse information known about it or associated persons (or it is reasonable to disregard such information)
• Actively and lawfully operate in Australia
• If on-hire labour is part of the business, ensure the position is within the business activities and not on-hire to unrelated businesses
• Have a genuine need for a paid employee to fill a skilled position
• Pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy when lodging the nomination
• Have complied with Australian immigration and workplace relations laws

Your business must also:
• Offer a full-time, ongoing position for at least 2 years (the employment contract must not limit the role to 2 years exactly)
• If the nominee earns less than AUD 250,000 per year, pay at least the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)
• Show the nominee is eligible for any licence, registration, or membership required for the occupation at the time of nomination

⸻

Have a Skilled Position

The nominated occupation must:
• Be listed in ANZSCO
• Be the same occupation as your most recently approved nomination for the applicant

Note: Occupations in the ENS program are benchmarked to the ANZSCO 2022 release. Code or title changes under ANZSCO 2022 will not disadvantage you (subject to meeting all other criteria).

⸻

Pay the Skilling Australians Fund Levy

You must pay the SAF levy for every nomination.

⸻

Be the Applicant’s Current Sponsor

You can only nominate the applicant if you are their most recently approved sponsor (Standard Business Sponsor or labour agreement holder).
If there has been a restructure or new ABN/ACN, you must ensure the sponsorship record is updated before lodging the ENS nomination.

⸻

Visa Status at Nomination

At the time of nomination, the applicant must hold or have most recently held:
• A Subclass 457 visa (any stream)
• A Subclass 482 visa (any stream)

If the applicant does not hold a substantive visa, they must hold a bridging visa granted in connection with an application for a 457, 482, 186, or 187 visa.

⸻

Continuity of Employment / Business Changes

If the business has changed ownership, you may still be able to nominate the applicant if you and the previous sponsor are considered the same employer and you remain the most recently approved sponsor.
Note: If your business (or an associated entity) has been subject to ASIC action such as administration, your application may not be approved.

⸻

2) Visa Application Eligibility – Applicant Requirements

Skills and Qualifications (Including Skills Assessment)

You must have the skills and qualifications needed to perform the nominated occupation.
• The Department may request a skills assessment to confirm you meet the requirements, even if you have already been working in the role.
• You must also hold any mandatory licence, registration, or membership required in the state or territory where you intend to work.

⸻

Two Years of Eligible Sponsored Employment

You must have been employed for at least 2 years in the 3 years before your application in eligible sponsored employment. This employment must be:
• Full-time
• Undertaken in Australia
• While holding a 457, 482, or eligible bridging visa
• In the occupation you were approved to work in on your 457 or 482 visa

If you held multiple 457/482 visas, employment can be counted across any approved occupations. If you changed employers, you can count work from the date the new approved nomination was lodged.

⸻

Be Nominated by Your Current Sponsor
• Your employer must have been the last to sponsor you for a 457 or 482 visa.
• You must apply for the visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved.
• Your application cannot proceed if:
• There is adverse information about your employer (unless disregarded)
• The nomination is withdrawn
• The position is no longer available

⸻

Age Requirement

You must be under 45 at application unless exempt. Exemptions include:
• Certain academics
• Certain scientists, researchers, or technical specialists
• Medical practitioners in designated regional areas with at least 2 years of service on a 457/482 visa
• High-income earners meeting the Fair Work High Income Threshold in each of the 2 years of required employment
• Transitional arrangement: 457 holders (or those who applied before 18 April 2017) can apply up to age 50

⸻

English Language

You must have at least Competent English. No exemptions apply in the TRT stream.

⸻

Hold an Eligible Visa

You must be the primary holder of a:
• Subclass 457 visa
• Subclass 482 visa
• Bridging visa associated with a 457, 482, 186, or 187 application where your last substantive visa was a 457 or 482

⸻

Health and Character

You and any family members applying with you must meet health and character requirements. The Department may also ask for information about non-migrating family members.

⸻

Australian Values Statement

If you are 18 or over, you must:
• Read (or be explained) the Life in Australia booklet
• Sign an Australian Values Statement

⸻

Debt to the Australian Government

Any debt must be repaid or have an approved repayment arrangement.

⸻

Visa History

You must not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused (subject to limited waivers).

⸻

Common Issues That Can Delay or Refuse a 186 TRT Application
• Restructure not updated on the 482 sponsorship before ENS nomination
• Contract limiting employment to exactly 2 years
• Licensing or registration not held at the time of nomination/application
• Incorrect ANZSCO mapping after the 2022 update
• Miscalculating the 2-year eligible employment period

⸻

How Growmore Immigration Can Help

The Subclass 186 TRT stream is a fantastic pathway to Australian permanent residency but requires strict compliance with both employer and applicant requirements. At Growmore Immigration, our Registered Migration Agents can:
• Assess eligibility for both the employer and the applicant
• Correct potential compliance issues before application
• Prepare a decision-ready nomination and visa application to avoid costly delays

⸻

📞 Contact Growmore Immigration

📧 Email: info@growmore.one
📞 Call: +61 3 8764 3334
💬 WhatsApp: +61 434 202 021

🌐 Follow Us:
• YouTube: @growmoreimmigration
• Facebook: @growmore.one
• Instagram: @growmore.one
• LinkedIn: @growmore-immigration
• TikTok: @growmore.one

⸻

⚖️ Disclaimer
This blog provides general information only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Requirements may change, and individual circumstances vary. Always seek personalised advice from a Registered Migration Agent or legal professional before applying.