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TSS 482 Visa TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY

The TSS 482 visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand 482 visa on 7 December 2024. The pathway to permanent residence below applies to both TSS and Skills in Demand 482 holders. For the latest details see our 482 visa path to PR guide.

How to get permanent residency from a 482 visa in 2026

Since 25 November 2023, all 482 visa holders, in any stream and any occupation, can be sponsored by their employer for permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) visa. To be eligible you generally need to:

  1. have worked in the nominated occupation for at least 2 years on a 482 visa in the 3 years before your employer lodges the nomination. Since December 2024, time worked for any approved sponsor counts, not only your current employer
  2. be nominated by your employer in the same occupation
  3. be paid at least the Core Skills Income Threshold ($79,423 from 1 July 2026) and the annual market salary rate
  4. have at least Competent English (exemptions apply)
  5. be under 45 years old when you apply, unless an exemption applies (for example, if you earn more than the Fair Work high income threshold, $190,100 from 1 July 2026)

Your employer must also pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy for the 186 nomination: $3,000 if annual turnover is under $10 million or $5,000 for larger businesses.

Regional 482 visa to PR

If you work in a designated regional area, you can also use the 186 TRT stream above. The regional 187 RSMS visa is closed to new applicants, except for certain transitional workers, and the main regional employer sponsored option is now the 494 visa, which leads to permanent residence through the 191 visa.

Historical transitional arrangements (for reference)

  • transitional 457 worker means a person who held a Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa at any time on or after 18 April 2017.
  • transitional 482 worker means a person who on 20 March 2019 held, or had applied for (and was later granted), a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Medium-term stream.

Employer sponsored visa guides

Am I eligible for a TSS 482 visa?

Related: 

How the TSS 482 visa was replaced in 2024

As part of Australia’s migration strategy, the Skills in Demand visa replaced the TSS 482 visa on 7 December 2024. The final design is different from the early proposals:

  • Specialist Skills stream: for workers earning at least $146,576 a year (from 1 July 2026). There is no occupation list, but trades workers, machinery operators, drivers and labourers are excluded.
  • Core Skills stream: for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), with a salary of at least $79,423 a year (from 1 July 2026) and the market salary rate.
  • Labour Agreement stream: for workers nominated under a labour agreement.
  • The proposed Essential Skills pathway for lower paid workers has not been introduced as a general visa stream.

Visas can be granted for up to 4 years in all streams, all streams lead to permanent residence, and the income thresholds are indexed every year on 1 July.

Alternative ways of obtaining PR if you do not meet the above criteria:

  1. Employer sponsored Direct Entry stream of the 186 visa, or the regional 494 visa
  2. General Skilled Migration (189, 190 or 491)
  3. The National Innovation visa if you have an exceptional record of achievement
  4. Partner migration (as the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen)
  5. See visa options after you turn 45

Medium-term TSS 482 visa (for reference)

The medium-term TSS 482 visa was granted for up to four years, could be renewed onshore, and was aimed at occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. It was similar to the earlier 457 visa.

The 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream

482 visa holders who have worked for 2 years on their visa can be nominated by their employer for permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the 186 visa, whether they work in a city or a regional area. The employer must lodge a valid nomination with the Department of Home Affairs. This is one of the most common pathways to permanent residency and gives you all the entitlements of a permanent resident.

TSS 482 visa requirements (for reference)

In order to qualify for the 482 TSS visa (Long Term Stream) applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List.
  • At least two years of relevant work experience is required.
  • The existing 457 program only requires the applicants to have a closely-related qualification at the correct level and do not require work experience. For the TSS 482 visa each occupation still has a minimum work experience requirement – either three years or five years if you do not have a qualification– based on the skill level of the nominated occupation.
  • Candidates must be paid at the minimum salary for the position
  • police check.

Employers must:

Am I eligible for a 186 visa?

Get in touch with your trusted registered Migration Agent in Melbourne and maximise your chances of becoming an Australian permanent resident. Other Temporary to Permanent visa options and how to become an Australian permanent resident: