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Australia employer-sponsored immigration
Australia Employer Sponsored Immigration (482 / 186)
Start on a work visa sponsored by an Australian employer, then apply for permanent residence after two years of sponsored work.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
Australian employer-sponsored immigration has two stages. First, an Australian employer sponsors your temporary 482 (Skills in Demand) work visa; after working for approved sponsors for a total of two years, you can apply for permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). The 482 visa replaced the former TSS visa in December 2024 and has Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams, among others.
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InvestmentNo investment required
SponsorshipAn Australian employer must sponsor you
Work visaUp to four years (five for Hong Kong passport holders)
Permanent residenceThrough 186 after two years of work
Summary
The 482 visa requires nomination by an approved Australian sponsor, pay that meets the relevant income threshold and market salary rate, and usually at least 12 months of relevant work experience. Core Skills occupations must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL); the Specialist Skills stream is for highly paid roles. After two years with approved sponsors, you can apply for permanent residence through the 186 transition stream (generally under 45).
Key benefits of Australia Employer Sponsored
- No investment or asset testYou qualify on your job and skills; there is no investment or net worth requirement.
- Work first, PR after two yearsAfter two years in total with approved sponsors, apply for PR through the 186 (generally under 45).
- Five-year visa for Hong Kong passportsHong Kong passport holders can get a 482 of up to five years, against up to four for others.
- Extra PR route for Hong Kong passportsAfter four years' continuous residence on an eligible visa such as the 482, apply via the 189 Hong Kong stream.
- More flexibility to change employerTime with different approved sponsors counts together, and you generally have up to 180 days to find a new sponsor.
- Bring your familyYour partner and dependent children can be included; your partner can work and children can attend school.
- Medicare once PR is lodgedAfter lodging a 186 PR application, people living in Australia with work rights can generally enrol in Medicare.
- Work-visa years count towards citizenshipTime living in Australia on a 482 counts towards the four years needed; only the last 12 months must be as a PR.
- A wide choice of occupationsThe Core Skills Occupation List covers more than 450 occupations; high earners can use the Specialist Skills stream.
Why Global Immigrate for Australia Employer Sponsored
- families approved
- 12+
- approval rate
- 96%
- offering this programme since
- 2019
GI Group recruitment network
GI Group has its own recruitment team to help match you with suitable employers and roles — not just the visa paperwork.
End-to-end labour certification and visa support
One team coordinates the timeline from labour certification and nomination through to the visa and permanent residence.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- Nomination for a full-time role by an approved Australian sponsor
- Pay that meets the relevant income threshold and market salary rate (from July 2026, AUD 79,499 or more in the Core Skills stream)
- For the Core Skills stream, an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- At least 12 months of relevant work experience in the past five years
- English, skills, health and character requirements met
- For 186 permanent residence: two years in total with approved sponsors (only time with an approved sponsor counts), generally under 45
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
The main 482 streams compared
| Stream | Roles | Income threshold (from July 2026) | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Skills | Occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List | AUD 79,499 or more | Usually a few months |
| Specialist Skills | Highly paid specialist roles (excluding trades and some occupations) | AUD 146,717 or more | Prioritised, generally faster |
| Labour Agreement | Employers with a labour agreement with the government | Per the agreement | Depends on the agreement |
Income thresholds are indexed every July; the actual amounts are subject to the Department of Home Affairs’ latest announcements.
Free Australia Employer Sponsored brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
Thank you — the brochure is on its way to your inbox
If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and employer matchVariesWe assess your occupation, pay and experience and confirm the employer and role.
- Sponsorship and nominationSeveral monthsThe employer applies to become an approved sponsor and nominates the role.
- 482 visa applicationUsually a few monthsLodge the 482 visa application and move to Australia with your family to work and live.
- 186 permanent residenceAfter two years of workAfter two years with approved sponsors, apply for permanent residence through the 186 transition stream.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Subclass 482 work visaUsually a few months
A work visa sponsored by an approved Australian employer; your spouse can work full-time and children can study locally.
While on this statusWork in Australia for the approved sponsor; changing employers needs a new sponsorship
- Permanent residence (subclass 186)After 2 years in total with approved sponsors
Apply through the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme; your family receives Australian permanent residence.
Keeping permanent statusFree travel for the first 5 years of the permanent visa; after that you need a Resident Return Visa, generally requiring 2 years in Australia within the last 5
- Australian citizenshipAfter 4 years of lawful residence in Australia (at least 1 as a permanent resident)
Apply to become an Australian citizen and get an Australian passport, passing the citizenship test. Australia allows dual citizenship.
Residence for citizenshipNo more than 12 months in total outside Australia in the 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the year before applying
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
Australia Employer Sponsored client stories
Client storyA five-year 482 visa on a Hong Kong passport, and the family moves to Australia
Mr Ho’s Australia Employer Sponsored experience. He wanted to work in Australia and settle his family.
Read the full storyClient storyPreparing 186 documents early, and a smooth move from 482 to PRMr Chan’s Australia Employer Sponsored experience. He wanted to move from a 482 work visa to Australian permanent residence.
Read the full storyClient storyFrom a 482 work visa to 186 permanent residenceMs Yeung’s Australia Employer Sponsored experience. She wanted to work in Australia first, then gain permanent residence.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Australia & New Zealand
See the Australia & New Zealand overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV) — Incubator Pathway | Programme fee USD 160,000 (incubator pathway) | Permanent residence | Usually about 8–15 months (by invitation) | Entrepreneurs and researchers with innovative projects |
| Australia Employer Sponsored Immigration (482 / 186)This programme | No investment; Australian employer sponsorship | Work visa, then permanent residence (186) | 482 usually a few months; 186 after two years | Professionals hired by an Australian employer |
| New Zealand Active Investor Plus (AIP) | From NZD 5,000,000 | Resident visa | Depends on processing | High-net-worth investors, with no English requirement |
Australia Employer Sponsored FAQ
Can the 482 visa lead directly to permanent residence?
Yes. After two years with approved sponsors, the employer can nominate you for permanent residence through the transition stream of the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.
Does changing employer affect my application?
A new employer must nominate you again. Under the current rules, time with different sponsoring employers can generally be combined towards the two years needed for 186.
Are there special arrangements for Hong Kong people?
Hong Kong SAR passport holders can be granted 482 visas of up to five years.
Will the pay requirements change?
Income thresholds are indexed every July; the amounts published at the time you apply apply.
Sources
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