Information checked: 11 October 2026.
A better job offer can create an anxious question for a subclass 482 visa holder: will moving to a new sponsor put permanent residency further away? Under the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) pathway, changing employers does not automatically erase eligible sponsored employment already completed.
Your new employer does not necessarily need to employ you for two years
The reforms introduced in December 2024 allow eligible sponsored employment with more than one sponsor to count. The employment requirement is assessed at the visa stage, rather than requiring the nominating employer to have employed you for the entire qualifying period. The official explanatory statement explains this change.
There are two separate timelines to check
For the standard TRT pathway, distinguish the eligible visa-holding period from the eligible employment period. The rules generally require two years of qualifying visa holding and two years of eligible full-time sponsored employment in Australia during the three years immediately before the visa application. Unpaid leave is excluded from the employment calculation. Simply holding a 482 visa for two calendar years is not enough if your qualifying employment falls short.
For example, 14 months of eligible sponsored work with Employer A plus 10 months with Employer B may satisfy the two-year employment requirement if both periods fall within the relevant three-year window and meet the rules. Gaps, unpaid leave and work that does not qualify need to be assessed separately. This example illustrates the calculation; it does not establish eligibility for a particular person.
Two years does not guarantee a 186 visa
You still need an eligible employer nomination and must meet the other visa requirements. Applicants are generally required to be under 45, unless an exemption applies, and have competent English. Health, character, occupation and visa history also matter. Home Affairs sets out the requirements on its subclass 186 TRT page.
Changing sponsors still needs careful planning
A new job offer is not itself an approved sponsor transfer. The appropriate sponsorship and nomination arrangements are still needed. Depending on your occupation, visa stream and visa expiry, a new visa application may also be required. Check your current visa conditions and the timing of the transfer before deciding when to leave or start a role. See Home Affairs’ guidance on changes to a 482 visa holder’s situation.
Build an evidence timeline before you move
Keep visa grant letters, nomination lodgement and approval notices, employment contracts, payslips, superannuation records and details of unpaid leave. Arrange them by employer and date. This makes it easier to assess what counts, identify missing evidence and choose a realistic application date.
An employer change can be a sensible career step. Reviewing the transfer and the future 186 pathway together helps you make that decision with a clearer picture of your position.
Book a 15-minute free discovery call with Regal Migration to discuss your 482-to-186 pathway.
This article provides general information, not individual immigration advice. Different streams, exemptions and circumstances can change the requirements. Eligibility should be checked against the rules applying when you lodge.