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✓ Registered Nurse · SA 190 · 75 pts · granted 3 days ago📡 TAS ran a 491 round · Chefs invited · cutoff 65 pts · March 18⏱ 190 visa processing · NSW · now averaging 11 months📊 Accountant EOI pool · 15,240 active EOIs · up 340 this month⚠️ SA Talent stream · reopened March 20 · limited places✓ Software Engineer · ACT 491 · 80 pts · granted 5 days ago📡 189 Round 3 · 2026 · expected Jan-Mar 2026⏱ 485 visa fee · $4,600 from 1 March 2026✓ Electrician · QLD 190 · 65 pts · granted 1 week ago📊 Registered Nurse EOI pool · 2,100 active EOIs · Tier 1✓ Registered Nurse · SA 190 · 75 pts · granted 3 days ago📡 TAS ran a 491 round · Chefs invited · cutoff 65 pts · March 18⏱ 190 visa processing · NSW · now averaging 11 months📊 Accountant EOI pool · 15,240 active EOIs · up 340 this month⚠️ SA Talent stream · reopened March 20 · limited places✓ Software Engineer · ACT 491 · 80 pts · granted 5 days ago📡 189 Round 3 · 2026 · expected Jan-Mar 2026⏱ 485 visa fee · $4,600 from 1 March 2026✓ Electrician · QLD 190 · 65 pts · granted 1 week ago📊 Registered Nurse EOI pool · 2,100 active EOIs · Tier 1

482 Visa to Permanent Residency Timeline — When Can You Apply for 186

Already on a 482 Skills in Demand visa? Enter your details and see exactly when you hit the 2-year mark, what you need to prepare, and your estimated PR grant date.

Your 482 Employment History
How the 2-year rule works: You need 2 years of full-time sponsored work in your nominated occupation with approved sponsors. This can be across multiple employers — not just one. Only work with approved Standard Business Sponsors counts toward your 186 PR eligibility.
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482 Work Started
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First sponsored day
186 Eligible From
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2-year mark reached
Est. PR Grant
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After 186 processing
Progress toward 186 eligibility
0%
Day 1 on 482 1 year 186 eligible (2 years)
Time remaining until 186 eligibility
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Years
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Months
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Weeks
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Days
Your PR Preparation Checklist
186 ENS Application — What to Expect
Application fee (primary applicant)$4,770
Application fee (partner)$2,385
Application fee (child under 18)$1,195
Employer nomination fee$540 (employer pays)
Skills assessment (if not already held)$500–$1,000
Health examination (per person)$300–$600
Police clearances$30–$100 each
Typical total (solo applicant)~$6,000–$7,500
186 TRT Processing Time Currently 6–18 months from application lodgement. Lodge your 186 as soon as your employer nominates you — there is no benefit to waiting. You can continue working on your 482 while the 186 is processing.
186 TRT Eligibility Requirements
✓ 2 years sponsored work in nominated occupation Across one or more approved sponsors. Employment must be continuous and full-time (or part-time equivalent).
✓ Under 45 years at time of nomination Age is checked when your employer lodges the 186 nomination — not when you started on 482. Exceptions exist for medical practitioners, academics and some scientists earning $141K+.
✓ Competent English — IELTS 6.0 all bands Higher than the 482 requirement of 5.0. If you are a native speaker (UK, US, NZ, Canada, Ireland) you are exempt.
✓ Positive skills assessment Required for most occupations. If you already held one for your 482 application, check whether it is still current (usually valid 3 years).
✓ Employer must nominate you Your employer lodges the 186 nomination — you cannot self-nominate. The employer pays the $540 nomination fee and must still meet Labour Market Testing requirements.
⚠️ Work must be with approved sponsors only From 29 November 2025, only employment with businesses that hold approved Standard Business Sponsorship counts toward your 2-year requirement. Employment with non-approved entities does not count.
Don't want to wait for your employer? Alternative PR pathways
Points-tested PR (189 / 190 / 491) — independent of employer
While on your 482, you can simultaneously build your points score and apply for a points-tested skilled visa. If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you do not need your employer's involvement. Check your PR points score using the VisaIQ PR Tool.
Check my PR points score →
494 Regional Employer Sponsored — if your employer is regional
If your employer operates in a regional area of Australia, you may be eligible for the 494 visa instead, which leads to 191 PR after 3 years in regional Australia.
⚠️ Historical data and general information only Dates and timelines shown are calculated from the information you entered. Processing times are estimates based on current DHA published data. Your actual eligibility depends on your specific employment records, skills assessment, your employer's compliance status, and other individual factors. Verify your eligibility with a MARA-registered migration agent before lodging. Find one at mara.gov.au.
How the 482 → 186 PR pathway works
1
Work 2 years on 482 with approved sponsor(s)
Reduced from 3 years in December 2024. Can be across multiple employers — all must be approved Standard Business Sponsors.
2
Employer lodges 186 nomination
Your employer nominates you for permanent residency. $540 employer fee. Must still conduct Labour Market Testing.
3
You lodge 186 visa application
$4,770 fee. Health checks, police clearances, updated skills assessment if required. You can lodge as soon as employer nomination is lodged.
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Permanent Residency granted — 6 to 18 months later
You receive your 186 PR visa. You can then live and work anywhere in Australia, sponsor family members, and apply for citizenship after 4 years of permanent residency (1 year as citizen).
Key facts — updated December 2024
Work requirement
2 years
Reduced from 3 years. Counts across multiple approved sponsors.
Age at nomination
Under 45
Age checked when employer lodges 186 nomination.
English for 186
IELTS 6.0
Higher than the 482 requirement of 5.0. All four bands.
186 processing time
6–18 months
Continue working on 482 while waiting.
Last updated: April 2026