Commonwealth Migration Group

Visa Comparison

Both are employer-sponsored. The 482 is a 2- or 4-year temporary work visa; the 186 is permanent residency. Most pathways start with one and end with the other.

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Quick Verdict

Choose the 482 if you're new to your sponsor — it's faster to grant, less onerous for the employer, and serves as a stepping-stone. Choose the 186 directly if you have 3+ years working full-time for the same sponsor (Temporary Residence Transition stream) or if you meet the Direct Entry skills assessment and 3-year overseas work experience requirement.

Side-by-Side

Specifications Compared

Key differences are highlighted in red. All fees in AUD; processing times reflect Department of Home Affairs published medians.

Visa TypeKey diff

Subclass 482

Temporary — 2 or 4 years

Subclass 186

Permanent Residency (from grant)

StreamsKey diff

Subclass 482

Core Skills · Specialist Skills · Essential Skills

Subclass 186

Direct Entry · Temporary Residence Transition · Labour Agreement

Occupation ListKey diff

Subclass 482

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

Subclass 186

Direct Entry: CSOL · TRT: any nominated occupation

Employer RequirementsKey diff

Subclass 482

SBS sponsorship + nomination + position

Subclass 186

SBS sponsorship + nomination of a permanent role

Work Experience Required

Subclass 482

2 years post-qualification (occupation-relevant)

Subclass 186

Direct Entry: 3 years · TRT: 2 yrs on 482 with sponsor

Skills AssessmentKey diff

Subclass 482

Mandatory for many occupations

Subclass 186

Direct Entry: mandatory · TRT: not required for most

English Requirement

Subclass 482

IELTS 5.0 each band (Core); 6.0 (Specialist)

Subclass 186

IELTS 6.0 each band (or equivalent)

Government Fee (primary)

Subclass 482

AUD $1,495 (short-term) / $3,115 (medium-term)

Subclass 186

AUD $4,770

SAF Levy (employer)Key diff

Subclass 482

$1,200/yr (small biz) or $1,800/yr (large)

Subclass 186

$3,000 (small biz) or $5,000 (large) — one-off

Processing Time (75%)

Subclass 482

50–70 days

Subclass 186

Direct Entry: 9–14 months · TRT: 6–12 months

Work RightsKey diff

Subclass 482

Sponsoring employer only (28-day rule for changes)

Subclass 186

Unrestricted — work for any employer

Path to Permanent ResidencyKey diff

Subclass 482

Via 186 TRT after 2 years (Core/Specialist Skills)

Subclass 186

Immediate PR on grant

Family Inclusion

Subclass 482

Partner + dependent children, full work/study rights

Subclass 186

Partner + dependent children, full work/study rights

Decision Framework

Which One Fits You?

482

Choose 482 if…

  • You're new to your sponsoring employer or haven't worked for them yet.
  • Your employer wants to test the relationship before committing to PR sponsorship.
  • You need to be in Australia quickly — 482 processing is materially faster.
  • You'd prefer lower upfront fees (482 is roughly 1/3 the cost of 186).
  • You expect to switch employers within the first 2 years and don't want PR ties.
186

Choose 186 if…

  • You've held a 482 with the same sponsor for 2+ years (Temporary Residence Transition).
  • You have 3+ years post-qualification overseas experience and a positive skills assessment (Direct Entry).
  • You want permanent residency immediately — no provisional waiting period.
  • You want freedom to change employers in future without re-applying.
  • You're ready to commit to the sponsor long-term and want full PR benefits.

Real Scenarios

Three People, Three Choices

Composite profiles drawn from CMG client cases. Names changed, circumstances preserved.

Ben — New Hire, UK Architect

Age 32 · 7 yrs experience · just received Sydney job offer

Ben has been offered a position at a Sydney architectural firm. He hasn't worked for them yet and the firm wants to start him quickly. Architect is on the CSOL with a 4-year 482 stream.

Best fit

Subclass 482

Direct 186 isn't realistic — the employer wants to evaluate Ben before committing to permanent sponsorship, and processing would delay his start by 9+ months. 482 gets him in within 8 weeks. After 2 years he transitions to 186 via TRT.

Sara — 3-Year 482 Holder

Age 35 · Mechanical Engineer · 3 yrs at current sponsor

Sara has been on a 482 with her engineering firm since 2023 and has consistently worked full-time. Her sponsor wants to retain her permanently and she meets the income threshold.

Best fit

Subclass 186 (TRT)

The Temporary Residence Transition stream is purpose-built for Sara. After 2 years on her 482 with the same sponsor, she qualifies — no skills re-assessment needed for most occupations, and she gets PR with full work rights.

Raj — Senior Career Mover

Age 40 · IT Manager · 12 yrs overseas experience · Australian job offer

Raj has been an IT manager in Singapore for 12 years. A Melbourne fintech wants to hire him for a senior role. He's senior enough that the employer is prepared to sponsor him for PR directly.

Best fit

Subclass 186 (Direct Entry)

Raj has the 3+ years of post-qualification experience and a positive ACS skills assessment. Direct Entry gives him PR on arrival — no 2-year 482 detour. The employer pays the larger SAF levy but gains a permanent senior hire.

Traps to Avoid

Common Mistakes When Choosing

The pitfalls we see week after week — costly, avoidable, often invisible until grant is delayed or refused.

Switching employers on a 482 without lodging a new nomination within 60 days — your visa is cancelled and any PR progress on the TRT pathway is reset.

Underestimating the SAF levy — for the Direct Entry 186 it's $3,000–$5,000 paid as a one-off. Some employers expect the candidate to reimburse it (this is unlawful but happens).

Assuming TRT requires 4 years of 482 — the threshold dropped to 2 years in 2024. Many applicants still wait unnecessarily.

Using the 482 short-term stream when long-term PR is the goal — short-term 482 has no direct TRT pathway; you must transition to a Medium-Term position first.

Failing the Direct Entry English requirement — IELTS 6.0 in each band is strict. Many engineers and IT pros score 6.5 average but 5.5 in writing, which disqualifies.

Letting the sponsor lapse during 482 holding — if the employer loses Standard Business Sponsor status, your 482 work rights are jeopardised and TRT eligibility may be affected.

FAQ

Subclass 482 vs Subclass 186 — Frequently Asked Questions

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Still unsure between Subclass 482 and Subclass 186?

One 30-minute consultation can save months of planning down the wrong pathway. Our MARA-registered agents will assess your points, occupation list status and state nomination prospects — for free.

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