Comparing Costs: 482 Then 186 TRT vs Direct 186 DE
There are two common routes to Australian permanent residence under employer sponsorship: going through a subclass 482 visa first and then moving to 186 TRT, or applying directly for 186 Direct Entry if you meet the requirements. The costs of these two routes differ considerably.
Pathway A — 482 Then 186 TRT
This is the most common route.
Costs on the worker’s side:
- Subclass 482 visa fee (main applicant): 4,015 AUD
- Subclass 186 TRT visa fee (main applicant): 6,140 AUD
- Health examination fees: each examination (482 and 186 separately), for each family member
- Police clearance fees: depends on the country, usually USD 15–50 per country
- Document translation and certification fees
- Migration agent (MARA) fees: if used, from a few hundred to a few thousand AUD per application
Costs on the business side:
- SBS (Standard Business Sponsor) fee: one-off (if not already held)
- SAF levy on the 482 nomination: 1,200 AUD or 1,800 AUD per year of the visa (paid in full upfront)
- 482 nomination fee (in addition to the SAF levy)
- 186 TRT nomination fee
Example total cost on the worker’s side (main applicant, excluding MARA): 482 visa fee + 186 visa fee + health + police clearance = typically estimated at around AUD 10,000–15,000 or more, depending on family circumstances.
Note: A business is generally not permitted to pass the SAF levy on to the worker — this is a mandatory cost on the business side.
Pathway B — Direct 186 DE
Applying directly for 186 Direct Entry skips the 482 stage, but requires:
- A skills assessment
- Relevant work experience in the occupation (usually 3 years)
- Age under 45 years old (with exemptions)
Costs on the worker’s side:
- Skills assessment fee: depends on the assessing authority (ACS, VETASSESS, EA, TRA, ANMAC) — from around 500 to 2,000+ AUD
- Subclass 186 DE visa fee (main applicant): 6,140 AUD
- Health, police clearance and translation fees
- MARA agent fees (if used)
Costs on the business side:
- SBS fee
- 186 DE nomination fee
- No SAF levy for the 186 DE nomination (the SAF levy applies only to the 482 nomination)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Item | 482 → 186 TRT | Direct 186 DE |
|---|---|---|
| Worker visa fees | 482 + 186 | 186 only |
| SAF levy | Yes (business pays) | None |
| Skills assessment | Usually not required | Required |
| Time to PR | Longer (~4+ years) | Shorter (if eligible) |
| Risk | Tied to employer for 2 years | Depends on SA and DE criteria |
It Is Not Only About Money
Cash cost is only part of the picture. A full assessment should also consider:
Time: The 482→TRT route takes more years. During that period, you are tied to one employer and one occupation.
Risk: Direct 186 DE carries a higher refusal risk if the skills assessment or experience is not strong enough. The 482→TRT route carries the risk of the employer changing circumstances or going insolvent.
Opportunity: While on a 482, you can still prepare a skills assessment and lodge an EOI for 189/190 in parallel — these are not mutually exclusive.
Every individual situation calls for its own analysis. Consulting a registered migration agent (MARA) before choosing a route helps you make a decision grounded in your actual circumstances, not just a simple fee comparison.