The Visa 482 to Australian PR Pathway: Step by Step
Many migrants come to Australia via the visa 482 with a long-term goal: permanent residence. This is the most clearly defined pathway in the Australian migration system — and also the one with the highest success rate if you follow each step correctly.
The big picture
Australian job
↓
Visa 482 (temporary, employer-sponsored)
↓ 2 years working with the same employer
Visa 186 TRT (permanent residence)
↓ 4 years as a permanent resident
Australian citizenship (subject to conditions)The total time from holding a visa 482 to being eligible to apply for citizenship is usually at least 6 years. But many people have successfully completed this pathway.
Stage 1 — Applying for and obtaining the visa 482
Before applying: The business must become (or already be) a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS). It then lodges a Nomination for your position. You lodge the visa 482 after the nomination is approved (or at the same time).
Processing time: Processing varies by phase and by case — check the Home Affairs Global visa processing times tool for current timeframes.
Once you hold the visa 482: You may work in Australia in the exact position and for the employer that was nominated. The occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List or permitted under another stream.
Stage 2 — Working for 2 years
TRT requirement: You need to work for the same sponsor for at least 2 years in the exact occupation that was nominated.
“Same employer”: Not necessarily the same ABN — if the business is acquired or merged and the SBS status is validly transferred, the working time still counts as continuous.
This stage trips people up the most: Businesses change, layoffs happen, or workers want to change employers. If you have to change employers, the TRT clock starts again from zero with the new employer.
What to do during this stage: Keep evidence of your working time (payslips, contracts, tax records). When you lodge the 186 TRT, you will need a Form 888 from the employer confirming the time and the role.
Stage 3 — Lodging the visa 186 TRT
Conditions when lodging: A full 2 years working with the same employer in the exact nominated occupation. Aged under 45 years old (with some exceptions). Meeting the English language and health/character requirements.
Process: The employer lodges the 186 TRT nomination → you lodge the visa application. Both can be lodged in parallel.
Fee: The reference base fee for the visa 186 is 6,140 AUD. This is the application fee and does not include the business’s nomination fee or agent fees if any.
Processing time: Varies by phase and by case — check the Home Affairs Global visa processing times tool.
Stage 4 — Permanent resident (PR)
After the visa 186 is granted, you become an Australian permanent resident. This means:
- You can live and work anywhere in Australia
- You can change employers freely — no longer bound by a sponsor
- You can access Medicare
- You can apply for citizenship once you meet the time requirements
Travel rights: The visa 186 has a “resident return visa” facility built in for the first 5 years — you can leave and re-enter Australia freely. After 5 years, you need a resident return visa if you want to keep travelling in and out.
Stage 5 — Australian citizenship (optional)
This is the destination for many people but is not mandatory. The conditions to apply for citizenship:
- Being in Australia for a total of 4 years immediately before applying
- Of which at least 1 year is as a permanent resident (PR)
- Meeting the “lawful presence” requirement — time on valid visas counts towards the 4 years
Time on the visa 482 (temporary) does count towards the 4 years before applying for citizenship — you just need at least 1 of those 4 years to be while you were a PR.
Key decision points
- Should you change employers? Each change resets the TRT clock. If you want to follow the TRT, be sure about your relationship with your current employer before deciding.
- If you are laid off? You have 180 days to make arrangements. Do not let this deadline pass.
- Combine with another pathway? If you are approaching eligibility for the 189 or 190 and have a skills assessment, consider a parallel pathway — do not overlook this option.