Got a Job Offer in Australia?
Here is How to Turn It
Into a Work Visa.
Australia's employer-sponsored visa system is one of the most reliable pathways into the country - but the rules around salary thresholds, occupation lists and PR eligibility change regularly. Get the right guidance before you start so you do not waste time or money on the wrong pathway.
Get Work Visa Help
Tell us your situation - we will be in touch within 24 hours.
Know Your Options
482 vs 186 - Which Work Visa Is Right for You?
Both visas require an Australian employer to sponsor you - but they work very differently in terms of who qualifies, what they lead to, and how long the process takes.
Skills in Demand Visa (Formerly TSS)
Australia's primary temporary employer-sponsored work visa. Allows skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved sponsor for up to 4 years. For most people this is the first step - with a clear pathway to permanent residency via the 186 visa after meeting work experience requirements. Full 482 eligibility guide.
- Visa type: Temporary (up to 4 years)
- Requires: Approved sponsor + occupation on relevant list
- Salary requirement: Must meet the Specialist Pay Rate (SPR) or Core Skills Pay Rate
- Family: Partner and dependent children can be included
- Work rights: Full work rights with sponsoring employer
- PR pathway: Yes - via subclass 186 after 2-3 years
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) - Direct Permanent Residency
The 186 visa grants permanent residency directly through employer sponsorship. Most applicants come from a 482 visa and transition via the Temporary Residence Transition stream once they have met the required years of work with their employer. Can you leave your employer after getting the 186?
- Visa type: Permanent residency
- Main stream: Temporary Residence Transition (from 482)
- Work requirement: 2-3 years with sponsoring employer on 482
- Direct Entry stream: Available in limited circumstances
- Family: Partner and dependent children included
- Pathway to citizenship: Yes - after 4 years as PR
Skills in Demand Visa
The 3 Streams of the Subclass 482 Visa Explained
The Skills in Demand visa (which replaced the TSS visa) has three separate streams. Which one you qualify for depends entirely on your occupation and salary level.
Highest Salary - Broadest Occupation Access
Designed for highly paid specialists. If your salary meets the Specialist Pay Rate (currently AUD $135,000+), almost any occupation is eligible - even those not on the standard list. This stream has the most flexibility.
Mid-Range Salary - Occupation List Required
The most commonly used stream. Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and your salary must meet the Core Skills Pay Rate for your occupation. This is where the majority of 482 applications sit.
Lower-Paid Roles in Critical Sectors
Introduced to address workforce shortages in essential industries like aged care, disability support and early childhood education. Salary thresholds are lower but the occupation must be on the Essential Skills list and the employer must be in an approved sector.
Your PR Pathway
How to Go From a Work Visa to Permanent Residency
Getting a 482 work visa is just the beginning for most people. Here is how the two main PR pathways from employer sponsorship work in practice. Read about the fastest PR pathway for 482 holders.
482 to 186 - Temporary Residence Transition Most Used
This is the standard PR pathway for 482 visa holders. Once you have worked for your sponsoring employer for the required period, your employer nominates you for permanent residency via the 186 ENS visa.
- 1Get sponsored by an Australian employer on a 482 visa
- 2Work for the same employer for at least 2-3 years in the same occupation
- 3Employer lodges a nomination for you under the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream
- 4You lodge the 186 visa application with all supporting documents
- 5186 visa granted - you are now a permanent resident of Australia
482 to 186 - Direct Entry Stream Less Common
The Direct Entry stream allows some applicants to apply for the 186 ENS visa without first holding a 482 visa - typically for highly skilled or experienced workers. This stream has stricter requirements and is less commonly approved.
- 1Australian employer identifies you as a candidate for direct permanent sponsorship
- 2Skills assessment completed by the relevant assessing authority
- 3Employer lodges a nomination under the 186 Direct Entry stream
- 4You lodge the 186 visa application - can be from offshore or onshore
- 5186 visa granted - immediate permanent residency upon arrival or in-country
What You Need
Key Requirements for the 482 and 186 Visas
Both visas require meeting requirements from multiple angles - you, your employer, and your occupation all need to qualify. Full employer sponsored visa eligibility guide.
Applicant Requirements
- Skills and qualifications relevant to the nominated occupation
- Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience (482 Core Skills)
- English proficiency - usually IELTS 5.0 each band or equivalent
- Meet health and character requirements
- Skills assessment may be required for certain occupations
- Age limit: under 45 at time of nomination (186 visa)
Employer / Sponsor Requirements
- Must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
- Business must be actively operating in Australia
- Must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy
- Salary offered must meet the relevant Pay Rate threshold
- Must demonstrate genuine need for the position
- Must commit to paying return travel costs if required
Occupation Requirements
- Occupation must be on the relevant list (CSOL for Core Skills stream)
- Your actual role must match the nominated ANZSCO occupation code
- Occupation must be genuine - position cannot be created solely for visa purposes
- For 186: same occupation as held on 482 for the transition period
- Specialist Skills stream: no occupation list restriction if salary threshold met
Salary Requirements
- Specialist Skills stream: AUD $135,000+ (Specialist Pay Rate)
- Core Skills stream: must meet the Core Skills Pay Rate for your occupation
- Salary must be market rate - cannot be set artificially low
- All salary components must be genuine (base + super counted differently)
- Salary rules also apply when transitioning from 482 to 186
- How salary rules impact 482 and 186 applicants.
Avoid These
Mistakes That Derail 482 and 186 Applications
These are the most common issues we see in employer-sponsored visa applications - many of which are entirely avoidable with the right guidance upfront.
Employer Not an Approved Sponsor
Many employers are willing to sponsor but have not yet gone through the Standard Business Sponsor approval process. Without this, the application cannot proceed. Some employers assume it is automatic - it is not.
Occupation Not on the Right List
Assuming your job title qualifies is not enough. The actual ANZSCO code must appear on the correct occupation list for your stream. Many applicants discover this only after their employer has started the sponsorship process.
Salary Below the Required Threshold
The salary offered must meet the relevant Pay Rate for your stream and occupation. Offers that include non-cash benefits to reach the threshold are often not counted the way applicants expect. Read how salary rules work.
Changing Employers or Roles Too Soon
Once on a 482 visa, your work rights are tied to your sponsoring employer and nominated occupation. Changing jobs without proper approval - or changing your role significantly - can jeopardise your visa and your PR pathway.
Missing the 186 Transition Window
The 186 application must be lodged while your 482 visa is still valid. Letting your 482 expire before lodging the 186 - even by a few days - creates serious complications that can be very difficult to resolve.
Not Understanding the Age Limit
The 186 ENS visa requires applicants to be under 45 at the time of nomination. Many people on 482 visas lose track of this deadline - and by the time they try to transition to PR, they have aged out of eligibility.
How We Help
How Our Free Work Visa Assessment Works
From checking your employer's eligibility to mapping out your PR timeline - here is what happens after you fill in the form.
Tell Us Your Situation
Share your occupation, current visa status, employer details and what you are trying to achieve - 482, 186 or a full PR plan.
We Review Your Case
Our team checks your occupation eligibility, salary position, employer sponsorship status and which stream and pathway best fits your profile.
We Get Back to You
Within 24 hours we reach out on WhatsApp or email with a clear breakdown of your options and the right next steps for your specific situation.
Move Forward Confidently
With the right strategy mapped out - visa stream, salary check, PR timeline - you and your employer can move forward without costly surprises.
Real Stories
Work Visa Success Stories
"My employer was ready to sponsor me but had no idea how to become an approved sponsor. After getting guidance I was able to walk them through the whole process. My 482 was granted within 4 months and I am now planning my 186 application."
"I had been on a 482 for nearly 3 years and did not know I was close to the age limit for the 186. The assessment I got made me realise I needed to act immediately. I lodged my 186 application in time and now have PR."
"My occupation was not on the standard list and I thought employer sponsorship was not possible for me. After submitting my details I found out my salary qualified me for the Specialist Skills stream. Changed everything."
Frequently Asked
Work Visa Questions We Get Asked Most
No. The subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa is an employer-sponsored visa - you must have a genuine job offer from an approved Australian sponsor before you can apply. There is no points-based or independent pathway for this visa. If you do not yet have a job offer, a skilled independent visa (189/190/491) may be more appropriate for your situation.
Most applicants transition from 482 to permanent residency via the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme after working for their sponsoring employer for at least 2-3 years. Adding the time to process the 186 application (typically 6-18 months), the realistic timeline from 482 grant to PR is around 3-5 years for most people. Read about the fastest PR pathways for 482 holders.
Yes, but not freely. If you change employers, your new employer must also be an approved Standard Business Sponsor and must lodge a new sponsorship nomination for you before you start working for them. Working for an unapproved employer - even temporarily - is a breach of your visa conditions and can result in cancellation.
The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is a mandatory contribution paid by employers when they sponsor a worker on a 482 or 186 visa. The amount depends on the size of the business and the length of the visa. Small businesses pay less than large businesses. The levy is paid by the employer - it is illegal for an employer to pass this cost on to the visa holder.
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in your 482 or 186 visa application as secondary applicants. They receive the same visa conditions as you - full work and study rights in Australia. They must also meet health and character requirements and their details must be included at the time of lodgement.
If your sponsorship is withdrawn or your visa is refused, your options depend on your circumstances. You may be able to find a new sponsor, apply for a bridging visa while you explore alternatives, or pivot to a different visa pathway entirely. Acting quickly is important - particularly if you are already in Australia. Submit your details and we will assess your situation. Read all your options after a visa refusal.
Have a Job Offer? Let us Help You Make the Most of It.
Employer sponsorship is one of Australia's most reliable visa pathways - but only if you get the details right from the start. Get your free assessment today.
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