IT Migration Pathway to Australian PR: From ACS to Subclass 186

Two main routes

IT professionals migrating to Australia typically follow one of two routes:

1. Employer-sponsored route: Find a job → subclass 482 visa → work for 2 years → subclass 186 visa (permanent residence)
2. Independent points route: ACS assessment → lodge an EOI in SkillSelect → receive an ITA → subclass 189 visa (no employer sponsor needed)

Route 1 is more common and depends less on your SkillSelect points or the occupation ceiling. Route 2 is faster if you have the points (often 85 or more), but not every IT occupation is eligible for the subclass 189 visa.

There is also a combined route: work on a 482 while also lodging an EOI in SkillSelect — if you receive an ITA you apply for the 189, and if not you continue on to the 186 TRT.

Step 1 — Complete the ACS assessment

This first step cannot be skipped. An ACS assessment must be in place before you lodge any kind of skilled visa.

Estimated time: 2 to 4 weeks to prepare the application + 8 to 12 weeks for ACS to process = 3 to 4 months in total

While you wait, start preparing your English language application (IELTS/PTE) if you do not yet have a qualifying result.

Step 2A — Subclass 482 visa (if taking the employer-sponsored route)

Once you have a positive ACS assessment, start looking for an Australian employer to sponsor a subclass 482 visa.

Basic requirements for the applicant:

• A positive ACS assessment with a suitable ANZSCO code
• Relevant ICT work experience as required, within the last 5 years
• English at least at Vocational level (IELTS overall 5.0, with 5.0 in each component)
• A salary proposed by the employer that meets the TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold)

The employer must complete Labour Market Testing (LMT) — only an unsuccessful recruitment advertisement makes them eligible to sponsor a foreign worker. For IT, especially DevOps and Software Engineer roles, LMT is often approved relatively quickly.

Subclass 482 processing time: Usually 2 to 6 months after the employer lodges the nomination.

Step 2B — EOI in SkillSelect (if taking the points route)

Once you have an ACS assessment, lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect — the Department’s points-based system.

SkillSelect points are calculated from:

• Age (25 to 32: the highest points)
• Work experience (both in Australia and overseas)
• Level of education
• English score (Superior: IELTS 8.0+ for the maximum points)
• Study experience in Australia
• State nomination (if applicable)

To receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for the subclass 189 visa, you typically need 85 to 90 points or more for common IT occupations. The cut-off changes with the occupation ceiling each year — you need to track the real figures from SkillSelect.

Step 3 — Working in Australia on the subclass 482 visa

The period of working on a subclass 482 visa typically lasts 2 to 4 years. This is the time to build up the requirements for the subclass 186 TRT and to accumulate Australian experience (which raises your SkillSelect points if you are lodging an EOI in parallel).

Points to keep in mind:

• You cannot change employers at will while on a subclass 482 visa (it requires a process)
• The work must match the ANZSCO code you were sponsored for
• Keep evidence of your work (contracts, payslips, confirmation emails) — you will need it for the 186 application later

Step 4 — Subclass 186 ENS visa (permanent residence)

Once you meet the requirements (typically 2 years full-time with the same employer), apply for the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa under the TRT (Temporary Residence Transition) pathway.

TRT pathway requirements:

• Work full-time for at least 2 years out of the past 3 for the same employer
• Be under 45 years old at the time of application
• English at Competent level (IELTS overall 6.0, with 6.0 in each component)
• A salary no lower than the market rate

The employer needs to be approved once more (nomination approval) before the applicant can lodge the visa.

Subclass 186 processing time: Usually 6 to 18 months, depending on the Department’s workload.

Realistic total timeframe

The 482 → 186 TRT route, from the moment you start preparing:

• ACS: 3 to 4 months
• Job search + 482: 4 to 12 months
• 2 years of work: 24 months
• 186 processing: 6 to 18 months

Total: 3 to 5 years from the start to receiving permanent residence. For someone who already has a job and an employer willing to sponsor early, it can be shorter.

The subclass 189 route (if you have the points) can be considerably faster — ITA → lodge → permanent residence within 1 to 2 years.

What you can prepare right now

Whatever step you are at, you can act now:

1. Identify the right ANZSCO code — don’t leave it until you lodge the ACS application to think about it
2. Request employment reference letters from your current and former employers — many people put this off until a company has closed down
3. Start or maintain your IELTS score — results are valid for 3 years; plan for renewal
4. Store your work evidence — contracts, payslips, project documents — needed for both ACS and the visa
5. Track your SkillSelect points — use the Department’s calculator to know where you currently stand