186 TRT Stream
Temporary Residence Transition

Q: What's the difference between the TRT, Direct Entry, and Labour Agreement streams?

The TRT stream is for 482 or 457 visa holders who have worked full-time for their sponsoring employer for 2 years — no age limit for most applicants, and generally no skills assessment needed if you already hold a valid one from your 482 sponsorship. The Direct Entry stream requires applicants to be under 45 (limited exemptions apply) and to hold a positive skills assessment no more than 3 years old. The Labour Agreement stream sets its own age, English, and skills assessment rules per individual agreement. All three streams carry the same visa application charge of AUD 6,140 for the main applicant.

Last updated: 15 Sep 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
Competent English required (IELTS 6.0 each component or equivalent)
No age limit for most applicants
Skills assessment generally not required
Grants permanent residency immediately from date of approval
Visa fee: AUD 6,140 main applicant
Processing time: 11–22 months (25th–90th percentile, as at September 2026)

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.

186 TRT Visa Cost

The main applicant visa application charge for the 186 TRT stream is AUD 6,140. Additional applicants aged 18 and over pay AUD 3,070, and additional applicants under 18 pay AUD 1,535. If your partner or a dependant aged 18 or over has less than Functional English, a second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies.

Your sponsoring employer also pays two charges separately from your visa fee: a nomination fee of AUD 540, and a one-off Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy — AUD 3,000 if their annual turnover is under AUD 10 million, or AUD 5,000 if AUD 10 million or more. These employer charges cannot be passed on to you.

Visa fees are reviewed periodically by the Department of Home Affairs. Use our Check Your Visa Fee tool or the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current amount before you apply.

186 TRT Visa Processing Time

As at September 2026, the Department of Home Affairs reports the following processing times for the 186 TRT stream:

25% of applications: 11 months
50% of applications: 14 months
75% of applications: 18 months
90% of applications: 22 months
Maximum: 715 days

Processing depends on your occupation, application completeness, and current volumes. Since 25 July 2026, applications are prioritised under Ministerial Direction 119, which gives onshore healthcare, teaching and construction occupations higher priority, ahead of other onshore applications and then offshore applications.

Because these figures change month to month, check our Processing Time tool or the Department's Global Visa Processing Times page for the current estimate before you plan around a timeframe.

FAQ

What's the difference between the TRT, Direct Entry, and Labour Agreement streams?

The TRT stream is for 482 or 457 visa holders who have already worked full-time for their sponsoring employer for 2 years — it has no age limit for most applicants and generally doesn't require a skills assessment if you already hold a valid one from your 482 sponsorship.

The Direct Entry stream is for applicants without that work history. You must be under 45 at the time you apply (limited exemptions apply for academics and government scientists/researchers), and you need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority — no more than 3 years old — before you lodge.

The Labour Agreement stream applies only where your employer has a labour agreement with the Australian Government. Age limit, English requirement, and skills assessment rules are set out in that specific agreement rather than fixed across the board — many industry and regional agreements allow concessions above the standard under-45 age limit.

All three streams currently carry the same visa application charge of AUD 6,140 for the main applicant. See our full 186 visa guide for the complete breakdown of each stream.

Can I include my partner and children in my 186 TRT application?

Yes. Your partner needs a current marriage certificate or evidence of a de facto relationship of at least 12 months. Dependants under 18 need a birth or marriage certificate proving the relationship. Dependants 18 or over need Form 47a and proof of financial dependence for at least 12 months. If your partner or a dependant aged 18 or over has less than Functional English, a second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies.

What happens if I'm 45 or older?

No age limit applies to most TRT applicants. If you're 45 or over, you may still qualify if you're nominated as a university academic, a scientist or researcher at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by a government agency or university, a medical practitioner who worked in a regional area for at least 2 years, or if you earned at least the Fair Work High Income Threshold for each year of your 2 years of eligible sponsored employment. If you held or applied for a 457 visa on 18 April 2017, you can apply if you're under 50.

Do I need a skills assessment for the TRT stream?

Generally, no. You must have the skills required for your nominated occupation, but you should not obtain a skills assessment unless the Department of Home Affairs specifically asks for one.

Can I stay in Australia on a bridging visa while my application is processed?

If you're in Australia and your current visa expires before a decision is made, you'll likely be granted a bridging visa automatically when you lodge your TRT application. You can also be outside Australia while the Department decides your application.

What happens if my employer withdraws my nomination?

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

Why do 186 TRT applications get refused?

Most refusals come down to four things: applying outside the required timing window, incomplete work history evidence, expired English test results, and missing the 6-month deadline to lodge after your nomination is approved. Starting early and preparing documentation thoroughly avoids most of these issues.

Sources

Why Choose RACC for Your 186 TRT Visa

RACC's registered migration agents (MARN 1572961, 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.