Changing Employer During the 186 TRT Period: Is It Possible?
The TRT stream of the subclass 186 requires you to work for the same employer who sponsored your subclass 482. In reality, it is not always that simple — sometimes an employer closes down, merges, or circumstances change.
The TRT requirement regarding the employer
To qualify for the TRT stream, a subclass 186 applicant must:
- Have worked for the same sponsoring employer for at least 2 years
- Within the three years immediately before the nomination is lodged
- In the same ANZSCO occupation that was sponsored
This is a core requirement — it cannot be applied flexibly at will.
When can you change employer?
In some special situations, DHA may show flexibility:
Employer acquired or merged (business succession): If the sponsoring employer is acquired and you continue doing the same job for the new entity, DHA will often treat this as the “same employer” where there is evidence of continuity. A migration lawyer should advise on each specific case.
Employer closes down: This is the hardest situation. If the sponsoring employer closes before you complete two years of TRT, you lose the TRT pathway. At that point you need to consider the Direct Entry stream, or find a new employer to sponsor a fresh subclass 482 and start the TRT again.
What is not permitted
You cannot:
- Change employer during the TRT period and still count the time worked for the old employer
- Combine time worked for two different employers
- Lodge a 186 TRT after moving to a new employer who is not the 482 sponsor
Periods of interruption
Short interruptions (annual leave, sick leave) are accepted. However, a long interruption or moving to full-time work with another employer during the TRT period may affect your eligibility.
DHA assesses each case individually — there is no hard rule on the maximum number of days you may be interrupted.
If you lose your job during the TRT
See the article on losing your job while waiting on the subclass 186 for the available options. In short: find a new employer as soon as possible and consult a migration agent straight away.
Practical advice
Do not make the decision yourself when an employer situation changes — each business succession or merger can be handled differently. Consult a migration agent before changing jobs or signing a new contract.