482 vs 186 Visa: The Complete Employer Sponsorship Guide for 2026
Skills in Demand (482) or Employer Nomination Scheme (186)? We compare sponsorship obligations, the income thresholds, Labour Market Testing, costs and processing — for employers and workers.
Skills in Demand (482) or Employer Nomination Scheme (186)? We compare sponsorship obligations, the income thresholds, Labour Market Testing, costs and processing — for employers and workers.
- Both visas share one salary floor: the Core Skills Income Threshold, AUD 79,423 for a nomination lodged in 2026–27
- 482 is fast (6–12 weeks) and temporary; 186 is permanent but 18–36 months
- An employer must hold sponsorship for 12 months before a 186 nomination
- Labour Market Testing is mandatory — and waived on a 482→186 transition
- Smart sequence: 482 first, then 186 (or pivot to 189/190 independently)
The two pillars of employer sponsorship are the Skills in Demand (482) visa — renamed from Temporary Skill Shortage on 7 December 2024 — and the Employer Nomination Scheme (186). One fills a skill gap fast; the other delivers permanent residency. Both are built on an income threshold and the annual market salary rate, and both involve labour market testing, but they differ sharply on cost, timing and outcome.
The numbers that decide it
482 — temporary, fast, practical
The 482 lets an employer sponsor an overseas worker for up to 4 years to fill a short-term gap. It's explicitly temporary — the worker leaves at expiry unless they transition to another visa. Before lodging, the employer must complete Labour Market Testing (advertise the role for ~4 weeks, 8 in regional areas) and show no suitable Australian candidate was available. Processing averages 6–12 weeks — far quicker than the 186.
Project-based or contract roles, seasonal peaks, or a “try before permanent” hire. Lower upfront cost and fast turnaround make it the default first step for most sponsorships.
186 — permanent, but stricter
The 186 leads straight to permanent residency — Medicare, family inclusion, a path to citizenship, and no exit requirement. But it's tougher: the employer must have held sponsorship approval for at least 12 months, and there are two routes — Direct Entry (no prior employment) and Transition (after ~2 years on a 482). Transition is approved more often because the employment record already proves suitability. Processing is 18–36 months.
You can’t move a brand-new hire straight onto a 186. The employer must first be an approved sponsor for 12 months — which is exactly why 482-then-186 is the standard sequence.
482 vs 186 — side by side
At a glance
Labour Market Testing — the critical difference
Both visas need LMT, but the bar differs. For the 482, advertise for ~4 weeks before lodging and document why Australian applicants weren't suitable ("no suitable candidates" means skills/experience gaps, not zero applicants). For 186 Direct Entry, testing runs ~8–12 weeks; for Transition candidates it's waived.
The Department treats LMT seriously. Falsifying records or claiming “no suitable candidates” when strong applications arrived can mean sponsorship cancellation and future bans. Keep detailed, defensible records.
The transition pathway
482 → 186 → permanent residency
- 1Years 0–2
Work on the 482
Employer sponsors; worker builds Australian employment history.
- 2Year 2+
Transition to 186
Meet the 2-year employment and income-threshold (CSIT) requirements; LMT is waived.
- 3On grant
Permanent residency
PR is not conditional on staying employed; citizenship pathway opens.
Workers can also use 2–3 years of Australian employment to lift their points and pursue 189/190 independently — a strong plan B that doesn’t depend on the employer.
For most employers the smart sequence is 482 first, 186 later. It fills the role in weeks, proves the fit, and sets up a clean, lower-risk permanent nomination.
Is sponsorship realistic for you?
A quick read on your skilled-migration eligibility signal — useful whether you sponsor or go independent.
A quick read on your Australian migration eligibility.
Indicative only — not personal migration advice.
Wondering how this applies to your situation?
Get an honest, no-obligation read on your pathway from a MARA-registered agent.
People also ask
What salary threshold applies to a 482 or 186 nomination?
Both use the Core Skills Income Threshold, which the Department sets at AUD 79,423 for a nomination lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. It has applied to Subclass 186 ENS nominations since 7 December 2024, so the two visas share one floor. The Subclass 482 Specialist Skills stream has its own, higher threshold of AUD 146,576 for the same period. The nominated earnings must also be at least the annual market salary rate for that occupation in that workplace and location, and the higher of the two governs. The thresholds are indexed on 1 July each year, so the amount that applies is the one in force on the day the nomination is lodged.
Can a new hire go straight onto a 186?
Generally no. The employer must have held sponsorship approval for at least 12 months. That is why the standard sequence is a 482 first, then a 186 transition once the 2-year employment and sponsor requirements are met.
How long does each visa take?
A 482 typically takes 6–12 weeks; a 186 takes 18–36 months due to more extensive compliance and documentation checks.
What if I can’t transition from 482 to 186?
You can use your 2–3 years of Australian work experience to strengthen your points and apply for skilled migration (189/190) independently — a route that does not rely on the employer continuing to sponsor you.