Written by Gaurav Duggal · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1805710 · Last updated October 2026
For many sponsored workers, permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme is the end goal. The 186 visa Temporary Residence Transition stream and the Direct Entry stream are the two main routes, and they suit very different workers. This guide explains who each stream is for, what Home Affairs requires, and how to decide which fits your situation. It is general information current as at October 2026, based on the Department of Home Affairs website. It is not a guarantee of any outcome, and complex cases need personal advice from a registered migration agent.
What is the difference between the TRT and Direct Entry streams?
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) lets an Australian employer nominate a skilled worker for permanent residence. It has three streams: Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), Direct Entry and Labour Agreement. The first two are the focus here.
The TRT stream is for workers who have already been working for their employer on a 457 or 482 visa, or an eligible bridging visa. The Direct Entry stream is for skilled workers who do not have that sponsored work history with the employer, and is assessed mainly on skills, experience and the nominated occupation. The Labour Agreement stream applies only where the employer is party to a labour agreement.
Who qualifies for the Temporary Residence Transition stream?
Home Affairs sets out the following requirements for the TRT stream:
- Two years of sponsored employment. You must have worked in eligible sponsored employment for a total of two years in the three years before you apply. That employment must be full-time, in Australia, while holding a 457, 482 or eligible bridging visa, and in an occupation you were granted the visa to perform.
- The right employer. The employer nominating you must have been the last to sponsor you to work full-time on your 457 or 482 visa.
- Skills and licensing. You need the skills and qualifications for the nominated occupation, you may be asked for a skills assessment, and any mandatory licensing or registration must be in place.
- Age. You must usually be under 45 when you apply, with limited exemptions listed by Home Affairs.
- English. You need at least Competent English, and Home Affairs notes there has been no exemption since 16 November 2019.
- Timing. You must apply within six months of the nomination being approved.
If you have changed employers in the three years before applying, Home Affairs says sponsored employment can be counted from the date an approved nomination was lodged, provided you started working with the new employer before the nomination was approved. Our 482 to PR roadmap shows how the whole pathway fits together.
Who qualifies for the Direct Entry stream?
For the Direct Entry stream, Home Affairs states that:
- Occupation. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
- Experience. Unless exempt, most applicants need at least three years of relevant work experience in their occupation.
- Skills assessment. Most applicants need a positive skills assessment, with limited exemptions.
- Nomination. An Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating must nominate you, and you must apply within six months of approval.
- Age and English. You must usually be under 45 and have at least Competent English.
Because Direct Entry does not depend on two years of sponsored work with the employer, it can suit workers who are offshore, on a different visa, or whose time on a 482 does not meet the TRT rules.
TRT or Direct Entry: which should you choose?
The answer depends on your work history, not on preference. In general terms, a worker who has completed two years of full-time work for the same sponsor on a 482 will usually look at TRT first, because the stream is built around that history. A worker without that history, or whose occupation and experience are strong but whose sponsored time is short, may need Direct Entry.
Be careful with timing. Some workers put TRT eligibility at risk by changing employers or working outside the occupation they were granted the visa to perform. Others assume they qualify for Direct Entry without checking the CSOL or the skills assessment requirements. A registered migration agent can map your history against both streams before the nomination is lodged.
What does the 186 visa cost?
Home Affairs lists the visa application charge for each 186 stream as starting from AUD 6,140, and notes that the Visa Pricing Estimator does not include the second instalment or other costs. Charges can change, so always check the Home Affairs estimator for your own circumstances. Employers should also budget for nomination-related costs, and our 482 cost guide and sponsor cost calculator help with planning.
How long does a 186 application take?
Processing times change often, and Home Affairs states that its published times are a guide only and not specific to your application. The Department processes 186 applications under Ministerial Direction 122. As at 19 October 2026 its website shows it is working on applications lodged in July 2025 for the construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources sectors and for law enforcement and defence interests, March 2025 for applicants who were in Australia when they lodged, and July 2024 for most applicants who were outside Australia when they lodged. Home Affairs warns that these dates and timeframes may fluctuate. This is why the wait for permanent residence is best treated as a long-term plan, and why 482 holders should plan their visa expiry carefully. For the temporary stage, see our 482 processing time guide.
What should employers do before nominating?
Employers should confirm that the business is actively and lawfully operating, that the position is genuine, and that the worker meets the stream requirements before lodging. Nomination mistakes can delay the visa or cause a refusal, and Home Affairs notes that a visa cannot be granted if the nomination is withdrawn or the position is no longer available. Our free Employer Sponsorship Readiness Checklist helps you gather evidence early. For the full employer picture, read our complete guide to sponsoring an employee or visit the subclass 186 visa page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the 186 visa straight after getting my 482?
Not in most cases. The Temporary Residence Transition stream generally requires two years of full-time eligible sponsored employment in the three years before you apply. A worker who does not hold or has not held a 482 may look at the Direct Entry stream instead, if they meet its skills, experience and occupation requirements.
Does my employer have to be the same one that sponsored my 482?
For the Temporary Residence Transition stream, yes. Home Affairs states that the nominating employer must have been the last person to sponsor you to work full-time on your 457 or 482 visa.
What English level is required for the 186 visa?
Home Affairs states that both the Temporary Residence Transition and Direct Entry streams require at least Competent English. The Temporary Residence Transition page notes there has been no exemption to this requirement since 16 November 2019.
Is there an age limit for the 186 visa?
Usually you must be under 45 when you apply, with limited exemptions set out on the Home Affairs website. Check whether an exemption could apply to you before assuming you are ineligible.
How long do I have to apply after the nomination is approved?
Home Affairs states that you must apply for the visa within six months of the nomination being approved.
How much does the 186 visa cost?
Home Affairs lists the visa application charge as starting from AUD 6,140, with a second instalment and other costs not included in the estimator. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator on the Home Affairs website for your circumstances.
This article is general information only and is not migration advice. Complex cases need personal advice from a registered migration agent.
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