186 Employer Nomination.
Your sponsored path to PR.
The Subclass 186 is the most common pathway from employer sponsorship to permanent residence. The TRT stream requires 2 years of work with your sponsor - and a deadline most people don't know they're racing against.
Confirmed changes relevant to 186 applicants
Onshore applicants prioritised
129,590 of 132,240 skilled places in 2026–27 are for migrants already in Australia. If you're on a 482, your 186 TRT is now more competitive than ever.
CSOL applies to Direct Entry
The Core Skills Occupation List (456 occupations, Dec 2024) now governs Direct Entry nominations alongside 482. Confirm your ANZSCO code before your employer lodges.
Age 45 deadline unchanged
You must be under 45 at the time of nomination. No changes to this rule in 2026. The TRT calculator on this page helps you find your latest lodgement date.
Sources: 2026–27 Federal Budget papers, DHA. Not migration advice.
Processing time
9–14 months
TRT stream p50–p90 2026
Work requirement
2 years
With same employer on 482/457
Age limit
Under 45
At time of nomination
Documents needed
15 items
Across 5 categories
Two streams
TRT or Direct Entry?
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)
For 482/457 visa holders. You must have worked for your sponsoring employer for at least 2 years in the same role before nomination.
- Must be under 45 at nomination
- 2 years work with sponsor required
- No skills assessment needed (usually)
- English requirement applies
Direct Entry
For overseas applicants or those who haven't worked with the sponsor on a temporary visa. Requires a skills assessment.
- Occupation must be on the CSOL (456 occupations)
- Skills assessment required
- 3 years of relevant work experience
- English requirement applies
The critical deadline
The date most 482 holders don't know
You must be under 45 when your employer nominates you for the 186. With a 2-year TRT work requirement, your 482 must be granted early enough to complete that work before your birthday.
Miss this date and the TRT pathway closes. The only remaining option is Direct Entry, which requires a skills assessment and different requirements.
Check my deadline →Documents for 186 TRT
Identity
Employment
English
Character
Nomination
Track your 186 application in Visafold
Document checklist, processing tracker, TRT age deadline, milestone timeline.
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