With the 25 November 482 visa reforms now officially in place, the Department has also updated the requirements for the 186TRT stream. Many applicants, however, are still unclear on the difference between this stream and the 186DE stream. In this article, Tiffany walks through the key differences between the two streams, and explains how to choose the right visa if you have 1-3 years of full-time work experience. A side-by-side comparison chart is included at the end!

Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residence

If your ultimate goal is Australian permanent residence, the final destination will almost certainly be the Subclass 186 Employer Sponsored visa. The 186 visa has two streams — one being the 186 TRT stream and the 186 DE stream.

Broadly speaking, the 186 TRT stream is for Subclass 457 or 482 work-visa holders to apply for permanent residence after two years of sponsored employment, while the 186 DE stream lets eligible applicants apply for permanent residence directly.

So what are the key differences between their requirements?

186 DE eligibility requirements:

1. Under 45 years of age (unless a specific exemption applies);

2. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6 in each of the four components;

3. A positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation;

4. At least three years of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation;

5. Nominated occupation is on the MLTSSL (medium/long-term strategic skills list);

6. An eligible employer is willing to offer employment and sponsor the application;

7. The employer must offer a minimum two-year employment contract with an annual salary of AUD 70,000 or more.

186 TRT eligibility requirements:

1. Generally under 45 years of age (unless a high-income or other specific exemption applies);

2. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6 in each of the four components;

3. Held a Subclass 457 or 482 visa for at least two years;

4. Nominated occupation may be on the MLTSSL (medium/long-term), STSOL (short-term) or ROL (regional occupation) list;

5. An eligible employer is willing to offer employment and sponsor the application;

6. The employer must offer a minimum two-year employment contract with an annual salary of AUD 70,000 or more.

The clearest differences between the two streams are the occupation list and whether a skills assessment is required. So if you are an applicant from a humanities or commerce-based occupation, or you are unable to complete a skills assessment, then — provided you meet the 482 visa requirements — applying for the 482 first and transitioning to PR after two years of sponsored employment is a strong option.

1 Year of Work Experience

With one year of work experience, the Subclass 407 can be a good choice for you:

With the Subclass 408 era having come to an end, if you are onshore in Australia and have no other full-time work visa available to you, applying for the Subclass 407 is an entirely valid pathway — it lets you keep building work experience while holding a lawful work visa to remain and work in Australia.

407 visa advantages:

1. No skills assessment required for any occupation;

2. No age limit and no quota restrictions;

3. Low application fees, low English-language requirements and even more relaxed employer requirements;

4. Work experience accrued can count toward skilled migration points;

5. Work experience accrued can support a future 482 employer-sponsored application;

6. Full work rights for up to two years.

407 visa eligibility requirements:

1. English proficiency equivalent to an IELTS overall score of 4.5 (some applicants may be exempt);

2. Within the two years immediately before lodging the 407 application, either:

a. at least one year of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation (part-time work may be pro-rated), or

b. one year of full-time study related to the nominated occupation;

3. An employer is willing to sponsor the application and deliver a training plan.

2 Years of Work Experience

With two years of work experience, the Subclass 482 is the right choice for you:

482 visa advantages:

1. Transition to permanent residence after two years of sponsored employment;

2. More than 500 eligible occupations, covering the vast majority of professions;

3. Relatively modest employer and English-language requirements;

4. No age limit and no quota restrictions;

5. Most occupations do not require a skills assessment;

6. No EOI points test required;

7. Dependent minor children are entitled to free or discounted compulsory schooling in several states and territories.

482 visa eligibility requirements:

1. English-language requirement:

a. STSOL (short-term list) occupations: IELTS overall 5.0, with no band lower than 4.5;

b. MLTSSL (medium/long-term list) occupations: IELTS overall 5.0, with no band lower than 5.0;

2. At least two years of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation (part-time work may be pro-rated);

3. Most occupations do not require a skills assessment;

4. An eligible employer is willing to offer employment and sponsor the application;

5. The employer must offer a minimum two-year employment contract with an annual salary of AUD 70,000 or more.

With three years of full-time work experience, you can choose either the 186 or the 494 stream:

As outlined at the start of this article, not every applicant will meet the 186 DE eligibility requirements. The 494 visa offers a further advantage: if you are over 43 and your occupation rules out a 186 application, the 494 is often the most viable pathway forward.

494 Regional Employer-Sponsored Visa

494 visa advantages:

1. More than 500 eligible occupations, covering the vast majority of professions;

2. Lower employer thresholds — even self-employed sponsors may qualify;

3. After three years, the transition to PR does not require further employer sponsorship;

4. Applicants may access Medicare, and dependent minor children can receive free or discounted compulsory schooling in several states and territories;

5. No age limit when transitioning to the Subclass 191 permanent visa.

494 visa eligibility requirements:

1. Under 45 years of age (unless a high-income or other specific exemption applies);

2. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6 in each of the four components;

3. A positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation;

4. At least three years of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation;

5. Nominated occupation is on the MLTSSL (medium/long-term) or ROL (regional occupation) list;

6. An eligible regional employer is willing to offer employment and sponsor the application.

Employer-Sponsored Visa Categories Side by Side

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