👔 Employer-Sponsored Migration: Understanding the Current SC 482 and SC 186 Pathways

Australia’s skilled migration program has entered a new era. Two of the most critical employer-sponsored pathways—Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) and Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)—are now operating under an updated framework introduced on 7 December 2024.

At Empathy Migration, we’re here to make it simple—whether you’re an employer looking to sponsor talent or a skilled professional planning your next move to live and work in Australia.

🧭 What Is the SC 482 (Skills in Demand) Visa?

The former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa is now the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. It features a unified occupation list that replaces the previous three.

📄 View the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) 

🛠️ The Three Stages of the Subclass 482 (SID) Visa Process

Applying for a Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa involves three key steps, each with its own legal requirements and timelines:

1️) Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

Before you can nominate a worker, your business must become an approved sponsor.

✅ To be eligible, your business must:

• Be lawfully operating in or intending to establish operations in Australia

• Commit to non-discriminatory recruitment practices and employing local workers

• Have no adverse compliance history with immigration or Fair Work laws

• Be any legitimate business type: company, partnership, trust, government body, or education provider

🕐 Valid for 5 years, SBS approval is the foundation of ongoing access to skilled migration programs.

2️) Nomination Application

The employer must nominate a specific position for a visa applicant.

✅ Key requirements include:

• The job must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or meet salary criteria under the Specialist Skills Stream

• The salary must meet or exceed the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and CSIT ($73,150) or SSIT ($135,000) thresholds

• The role must be genuine, necessary to the business, and reflect real work duties consistent with ANZSCO definitions

• Labour Market Testing (LMT) must be conducted—unless exempt under International Trade Obligations

• The business must pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy:

  • $1,200/year for businesses with turnover under $10 million

  • $1,800/year for turnover above $10 million

3️) Visa Application

The nominated worker applies for the 482 SID visa.

✅ The applicant must:

• Prove they have the skills, experience, and qualifications for the nominated role

• Hold required licences or registrations (if applicable)

• Meet the English language requirement (e.g., IELTS 5.0 in each band or equivalent)

• Pass health and character checks

• Provide a mandatory skills assessment if applying for a specified high-risk occupation (e.g. chefs, electricians)

📄 In most cases, the visa is valid for up to 4 years, and can lead to permanent residency via the Subclass 186 TRT stream.

⏳ Can All Three Stages Be Lodged Together?

Yes! To save time, the SBS, Nomination, and Visa Application can all be lodged at the same time—you don’t need to wait for one to be approved before submitting the next.However, each step must still be approved in the correct order by the Department of Home Affairs:

1. The SBS must be approved before the Nomination can be approved, and

2. The Nomination must be approved before the Visa can be granted.

   
   

🗂️ What’s Changed in the Occupation List?

• 📌 456 occupations are now on the CSOL

• 🔻 Down 125 from the old TSS list, but

• 🔺 Up 189 that now lead to PR through the 186 TRT stream

• 🆕 Includes 16 newly added or updated occupations

⚠️ Caveats to Be Aware Of

• 🆕 Caveat 14 applies to positions covered under International Trade Obligations (ITO)

• 🔄 12 outdated caveats have been removed or merged

• 📌 Caveats apply across all SID streams, not just Core Skills

  
  

🧑‍💼 The Three SID Streams Explained:

1. 🌱 Core Skills Stream – A Direct Path to PR

For occupations on the CSOL with a salary of $73,150+ (CSIT).✅ Replaces MLTSSL/STSOL🏡 Leads to PR via Subclass 186 TRT

2. 🚀 Specialist Skills Stream

For highly skilled professionals earning $135,000+ in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6.🧠 Ideal for AI, cybersecurity, clean energy, and senior tech professionals⚡ Target: 7-day visa processing

3. 🤝 Labour Agreement Stream

Used by employers with approved DAMAs or labour agreements.💼 Minimum salary: $51,222/year🎯 Pathway will evolve into the Essential Skills Stream

🔄 From SC 482 to SC 186 – Pathways to PR

Key Criteria for TRT & DE Streams:

• 🛂 Must hold a valid visa or Bridging A/B/C

• 📚 English, skills assessment, and licences still required

• 🔄 Portability: Up to 180 days at a time, 365 days total to change sponsors

• 📆 TRT: 2 years on a 482/SID visa—can include multiple employers

• 🧾 DE: Full skills assessment + 3 years’ experience in listed occupation

  🔗 View the 186-eligible occupation instrument

  🎯 DE Stream Perk

No Standard Business Sponsorship needed—just a nomination + visa application. Simple and permanent!

🩺 Health Criteria & Waivers

• ⚖️ PIC 4005 (DE/LA): No health waiver—fail = automatic refusal

• 💡 PIC 4007 (TRT): Waiver possible if public cost/impact is low

  💬 Tip: If medical issues apply, TRT offers flexibility. Always seek advice.

  
  

🔁 Changing Employers on a 482 Visa?

• ✅ New nomination is required—not a new visa—unless:

  • Your 482 visa is expiring, or

  • You’re changing occupations

• ❌ You must be in a CSOL occupation or meet Specialist stream salary to change employers

• ⏳ You have up to 180 days (per instance) or 365 days total to:

  • 🔎 Find a new sponsor

  • 🧾 Apply for a new visa

  • ✈️ Or depart Australia

    
    

📋 Mandatory Skills Assessments for SID Visa

• 🛠️ Required for high-risk occupations (e.g. chefs, trades, technicians)

• 🏛️ Must be done through authorised assessors (e.g. TRA, VETASSESS)

• 📜 Some applicants are exempt (e.g. long-term Australian work experience)

• ⏱️ Must be submitted at time of visa application

📄 Instrument: IMMI 18/039 – Mandatory Skills Assessment

❓ FAQs – SC 482 & 186 TRT

1️) Can I apply for 186 TRT with a different employer?

❌ No. The nominating employer must be your current sponsor.

2️) Can a new employer sponsor me for 186 TRT after 2 years on 482?

✅ Only after they lodge a 482 nomination transfer.

3️) If my 482 was lodged before but approved after 7 Dec 2024, do I qualify for 186 TRT?

🔁 Yes, but you still need 2 years of sponsored employment for TRT eligibility.

4️) My 482 visa expires in a few days. Can I still lodge a 186 TRT?

🗓️ Yes—the 5-day grace period still applies.

5️) Does all TSS work count toward TRT?

Only periods where:

• You were under an approved sponsor, and

• A valid nomination transfer was lodged and approved.

  
  

6) I worked 2+ years for an overseas business sponsor. Can I apply for 186 TRT?

Yes—if they establish an onshore entity and transfer your sponsorship.

7) Can chefs apply under the Specialist Skills stream?

❌ No—chefs (including head/sous) can only be nominated under Core Skills, subject to caveats.

8) Are Child Care Educators/Room Leaders eligible under CSOL?

✅ Yes—they fall under ANZSCO 421111: Child Care Worker, not as separate occupations.

9) Do I need a new visa if I change employers on a 482?

Not unless your:

• Visa is expiring, or

• You're changing occupations.

  
  

⚠️ Genuine Position Refusals on the Rise

In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in Subclass 482 nominations and visa refusals, with a growing number rejected on the grounds that the position is not considered “genuine.”

This trend has raised serious concerns across the migration community, prompting industry professionals and registered agents to begin collecting data and case outcomes. Many have called on the Department of Home Affairs to conduct an internal review into inconsistent decision-making and to provide clearer guidance on how “genuineness” is assessed.

📌 What this means for you:

Now more than ever, it’s essential to demonstrate the business need for the role, how it fits into your organisational structure, and provide robust evidence that the position is not created solely for migration purposes.

·       At Empathy Migration, we ensure your nomination addresses these risk areas directly—so your application stands on solid ground from day one.

📞 Need guidance on sponsorship or PR transition?

Empathy Migration offers tailored, compliant, and strategic support from start to finish.

👉 Book your consultation today via https://www.empathymigration.com/booking-calendar/book-a-general-visa-consultation?referral=service_list_widget or email us at visa@empathymigration.com

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