Is there an age limit for the 186 TRT stream?

No age limit applies to most TRT applicants. Exemptions exist for academics, scientists, researchers, medical practitioners in regional areas, and workers who earned above the Fair Work High Income Threshold for 2 consecutive years.

Do I need a skills assessment for the 186 TRT stream?

Generally no. DHA may request one in some circumstances — do not obtain a skills assessment unless DHA asks for it.

Can I count work experience from multiple employers?

Yes, if you held multiple 457 or 482 visas. Work experience can be counted across any occupation you were approved to work in during the 3 years before your application.

What if I changed employers during my 482 visa?

Work experience counts from the date an approved nomination was lodged with your new employer, even if you started before the nomination was approved. Your nominating employer for the 186 TRT must be the last employer who sponsored you on your 482 or 457 visa.

How long do I have to apply after my nomination is approved?

You must lodge your visa application within 6 months of the nomination being approved.

Can I include my family in this application?

Yes — partner, dependent children, and stepchildren. Family members must meet health and character requirements. Those aged 18 or over with less than Functional English will require a second instalment of AUD 4,890.

What happens if my nomination is withdrawn after I apply?

DHA cannot grant your visa if the nomination is withdrawn or the position is no longer available. A new nomination cannot be linked to your existing application — you would need to withdraw and reapply.

Can I be outside Australia when DHA decides my application?

Yes. You can apply from inside or outside Australia, and can be in either location when DHA decides.

When does my permanent residency start for citizenship purposes?

On the day the visa is granted if you are in Australia, or on the day you first enter Australia on this visa if you were offshore when it was granted.

186 TRT Stream
Temporary Residence Transition

Q: What is the 186 TRT stream?

The 186 TRT (Temporary Residence Transition) stream lets 482 and 457 visa holders transition to permanent residency after working full-time for at least 2 years with their sponsoring employer in Australia. It is administered under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

Last updated: 16 April 2026 · RACC Migration & Education Services

The 186 TRT stream lets skilled workers on a 482 or 457 visa transition to permanent residency after 2 years full-time work with their sponsoring employer in Australia. It is the most common pathway to permanent residency for employer-sponsored workers already in the country — and it has no age limit for most applicants.

Quick Summary of 186 TRT Stream

For 482 or 457 visa holders already working in Australia

2 years full-time sponsored employment in the last 3 years

Must be nominated by your current sponsoring employer

No age limit for most applicants

Skills assessment generally not required

Grants permanent residency immediately from date of approval

Visa fee: AUD 4,910 main applicant

What Is the 186 TRT Stream?

The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream is one of three streams under the 186 visa. It is designed for skilled workers already in Australia on a 482 or 457 visa who want to transition to permanent residency through their current employer.

Unlike the Direct Entry stream, the TRT stream has no age limit for most applicants, and a skills assessment is generally not required.

482 to 186 of Your Pathway

The TRT stream is the natural next step after your 482 visa. Once you have worked full-time for 2 years with your sponsoring employer, you can apply for permanent residency — no points test, no invitation round.

Years 1–2: Work full-time on your 482 visa.
Year 2+: Your employer nominates you for the 186 TRT
Result: Permanent residency granted immediately on approval

Same occupation as your 482. No age limit. Skills assessment generally not required. See our full 407 → 482 → 186 transition guide for the complete pathway.

186 TRT Eligibility Full Checklist

You qualify if you hold a 482 or 457 visa, have worked full-time for 2 years with your sponsoring employer in Australia, and your employer is willing to nominate you for a permanent position.

Here is the full eligibility checklist:

Hold an eligible visa: You must currently hold a subclass 482 (any stream), 457 (any stream), or a bridging visa linked to a 457, 482, 186, or 187 application — provided your last substantive visa was a 457 or 482.
2 years eligible sponsored employment: You must have worked full-time in Australia for a total of 2 years in the 3 years before you apply, while holding a 457 or 482 visa, in the occupation you were sponsored to perform. Part-time, overseas, or work outside your nominated occupation does not count.
If you held multiple 457 or 482 visas, work can be counted across any occupation you were approved to perform. If you changed employers, work counts from the date an approved nomination was lodged with your new employer — even if you started before it was approved.
Licensing, registration or membership: If your occupation requires a licence, registration, or professional membership in your state or territory, you must hold it before applying.
Nominated by your sponsoring employer: Your nominating employer must be the last employer who sponsored you on your 457 or 482 visa. Their business must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia. You must apply within 6 months of the nomination being approved.

If your nomination is withdrawn or the position is no longer available, DHA cannot grant your visa. A new nomination cannot be linked to an existing application, you would need to withdraw and reapply.

Age No age limit applies to most TRT applicants. If you are 45 or over, you may still qualify if any of the following applies:

Nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Level A–E) by an Australian university
Nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by an Australian government scientific agency or university
A medical practitioner who worked in a designated regional area for at least 2 years in the 3 years before applying, and the nominated position is also in a regional area
Earned at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold for each year of your 2 years of eligible sponsored employment.

Transitional arrangement: if you held or had applied for a 457 visa on 18 April 2017, you can apply if you are under 50.

English, at least Competent English

IELTS: 6.0 in each component
PTE Academic: 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing, 54 speaking
TOEFL iBT and OET also accepted

Test results must not be more than 3 years old at the time you apply. No exemptions apply from 16 November 2019.

Skills: You must have the required skills for the nominated occupation. Do not obtain a skills assessment unless DHA asks for one.
Health: You and any family members applying with you must meet health requirements. DHA will contact you if examinations are needed — results go directly from your doctor to DHA.
Character: You and family members aged 16 or over must meet character requirements. Police certificates are required.
Australian values statement: If you are 18 or older, you must have read the Life in Australia booklet and sign an Australian Values Statement.
No outstanding debts to the Australian Government: Any debt must be paid or have a formal repayment arrangement in place.
No cancelled visas or refused applications: DHA will consider your immigration history. In some circumstances you may still apply — see Limitations on applications in Australia.

Step by Step of 186 TRT Application

Most TRT refusals come down to four things: timing, incomplete work history, expired English results, and missing the nomination window. Start early and prepare thoroughly.

Step 1 — Before you apply

Organise English tests if needed. Results must not be more than 3 years old at lodgement.
Ask your employer to lodge a nomination. They will receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) — you need this to apply. You do not need to wait for nomination approval before lodging.
Criminal and civil penalties apply to anyone who offers or receives a benefit in exchange for visa sponsorship.

Step 2 — Gather your documents

Main applicant:

Passport — photo page, personal details, issue and expiry dates. Include name change evidence if applicable.
Licence, registration or membership proof if mandatory for your occupation.
Work experience documents: employment contracts, payslips, PAYG summaries, leave records (paid and unpaid), records of overseas trips for work or training.
Age exemption documents if you are 45 or over.
English test results showing Competent English.
Australian Federal Police certificate (complete disclosure only) if you spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16. Valid for 12 months from issue.
Overseas police certificate from every country where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
Military service records or discharge papers if you served in any country's armed forces.

Partner:

Passport and character documents.
Current marriage certificate, or de facto relationship evidence of at least 12 months — joint bank statements, joint billing accounts, joint lease or mortgage, or proof of shared address.
If your partner is 18 or older with less than Functional English: second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies.

Dependants under 18:

Passport (children under 5 can be included without one).
Birth certificate or marriage certificate proving relationship to you.
Character documents if applicable.
If another person has legal rights over where the child lives and is not coming to Australia: Form 1229 or a statutory declaration with photo ID of the consenting person.

Dependants 18 or over:

Passport and character documents.
Form 47a (Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 or over).
Proof of relationship — birth certificate or adoption papers.
Proof of financial dependence for at least 12 months — evidence of living together, tax records, or proof of study.
If less than Functional English: second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies.

Translation and scan requirements:

All non-English documents must be translated into English — provide both original and translated versions.
Translators in Australia must be NAATI accredited. Overseas translators must include their full name, address, phone number, and language qualifications on each translation.
No document certification required.
Scan all documents in colour, clearly. Multi-page documents save as one file.

Step 3 — Lodge your application

Apply online via ImmiAccount. Attach all documents and pay the application fee. Note your TRN. DHA will not process your application until payment is received.

Step 4 — After you apply

DHA will confirm receipt.
You can be in or outside Australia when DHA decides.
If in Australia, you will likely receive a bridging visa if your current visa expires before a decision.
DHA may request skills assessment, additional documents, or biometrics — respond via ImmiAccount as soon as possible.
Pay the second instalment for family members if invoiced.

Step 5 — Visa outcome

DHA will notify you in writing. If granted: visa grant number, start date, and conditions. Your visa is digitally linked to your passport — no label issued. If refused: DHA will tell you why and whether you have review rights.

Your obligations after grant

You and your family must obey all Australian laws.
DHA expects you to work for your nominating employer for at least 2 years.
Begin employment within 6 months of visa grant (if in Australia) or first entry (if offshore when granted).
Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from grant date. After that, you need a Resident Return Visa (RRV). Check your travel expiry via VEVO.

Processing times vary by occupation and application completeness. As a current guide, ENS nominations being processed were lodged:

Applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 105 — regional area and healthcare/teaching occupations first, then accredited sponsor nominations, then all others.

Your application can take longer if it is incomplete, documents are missing, DHA needs to verify information, or health and character checks take time.

Check the latest processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.

Why Choose RACC for Your 186 Visa

RACC's registered migration agents (MARN 1572962, 1172003) specialise in 186 permanent visa applications:

Assess which stream suits your circumstances
Verify occupation eligibility and caveats
Advise on skills assessment requirements
Guide employers through the nomination process
Prepare comprehensive visa applications
Handle complex cases — age exemptions, experience calculations
Monitor application progress and respond to department requests

20+ years experience · Melbourne-based · 4.8/5 customer satisfaction · English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bahasa, Sinhalese, Malay, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Punjabi

Book a free 186 visa consultation, speak to a MARA-registered agent today.

Book 186 Visa Consultation

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186 TRT Stream Temporary Residence Transition

What Is the 186 TRT Stream?

482 to 186 of Your Pathway

186 TRT Eligibility Full Checklist

Why Choose RACC for Your 186 Visa

186 TRT Stream
Temporary Residence Transition