The 2025 Migration Program in Australia has added new more lenient regulations of changing the temporary visa (Subclass 482: Temporary Skill Shortage) to permanent status through the Employer Nurse Scheme (Subclass 186) visa and especially in the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.
The Most Important Changes in Transition Rules in 2025
– Transition Eligibility: The transition has been allowed to all subclass 482 visa holders, including the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa, to transition to permanent residency once they have worked full-time with the sponsoring employer in the same occupation during two years in Australia.
– Work Experience Counting: The number of years of work undergone between the nomination application and the approval can now be counted in the two-year employment requirement and the permanent residency can be processed faster.
– Enhanced Flexibility: Provided that employees that have changed employers under a 482 visa are sponsored by the current employer under the 186 TRT visa, employees will still be eligible.
– It has removed the need of the nominated occupation to stay on the occupation list, so there is increased certainty on the workers about their PR pathway.
Qualification of 186 TRT Visa
– Requires or has required subclass 482 visa attached to employer nomination.
– Held full-time employment with the employer a minimum of two years (employment during nomination approval).
– Must be below 45 years (in other cases, age exemptions may be considered).
– Have health, character, and English proficiency requirements.
– The employer should prove genuine need and testing of labor market regarding the position.
How to Apply
– The nomination application is made by the sponsoring employer through the department of home affairs portal.
– The visa applicant files his or her PR application either upon the nomination being approved or at the same time depending on the pathway.
– Turnaround time would be with changes in the work experience but should be reduced with the streamlining of work experience counting.
Summary Table: Transition (2025) Subclass 482 to 186
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Work Duration | 2 years full-time (includes nomination approval period) |
| Age Limit | Under 45 (exceptions apply) |
| English Language | Competent English (IELTS score 6.0 or equivalent) |
| Employer Sponsorship | Mandatory for nomination approval |
| Occupation List | No longer mandatory for nomination |
FAQs
Q1: Does work on a 482 visa count to the 2 year requirement?
Work prior to nomination approval is now encompassed.
Q2: Is it possible to change the employer and continue applying to PR?
At the time of application of the 186 TRT visa, you have to be sponsored by your current employer under the 482 visa.
Q3: Is the profession still confined in the official list?
No longer, the nominated occupation does not necessarily need to stay on the occupation list.
