📅 Originally published: November 29, 2023 | Last reviewed and updated: May 2026
On 25 November 2023, the expanded Employer-Sponsored Pathways to Permanent Residence came into effect, significantly broadening access to permanent residency for Subclass 482 (TSS) visa holders via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). This page explains the 2023 changes, the current eligibility requirements as of May 2026, updated salary thresholds taking effect from 1 July 2026, and current processing times.
Who will these changes apply to?
The TSS visa
The changes to the TSS Visa applied to new applications lodged on or after 25 November 2023. Note: The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa from 7 December 2024. References to the TSS visa in this context apply equally to holders of the SID visa (Subclass 482) lodged under the new framework.
The TRT stream of the ENS and RSMS visa subclasses
Changes to nomination requirements for the TRT stream of the ENS and RSMS Visa subclasses:
- Employers are able to nominate holders of all TSS visa streams, including visa holders with occupations in the Short–term and Labour Agreement streams;
- The period in which TSS visa holders are required to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer (or in the occupation for medical practitioners and certain executives) has been reduced to 2 out of the 3 years before nomination;
- The RSMS visa (Subclass 187) continues to be restricted to transitional 457 workers and transitional 482 workers. Important: The Subclass 187 Direct Entry stream closed to new applications on 16 November 2019. As the Subclass 457 has been abolished and the Subclass 482 TSS visa has been replaced by the SID visa, the pool of eligible Subclass 187 TRT applicants is now extremely limited and will eventually become exhausted. New applicants in regional areas should now pursue the Subclass 186 TRT or Direct Entry stream.
- Nominated occupations are no longer assessed against Skilled Migration Occupation Lists;
- The nominated occupation needs to be listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and the nominated worker must continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa(s);
- Age exemptions for regional medical practitioner applicants and high-income earning applicants aged 45 years and over have been reduced to 2 out of the 3 years before nomination;
- COVID-19 related exemptions have ended.
Current Salary Thresholds for the Subclass 186 TRT Stream (2026)
All nominations under the Subclass 186 TRT stream must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). The TSS-era TSMIT of AUD 73,150 referenced in the original 2023 announcement is now superseded. Current and upcoming thresholds are:
Key points:
The CSIT applies to the guaranteed base salary only. Superannuation, accommodation, vehicles, and other non-monetary benefits are excluded.
Nominations lodged before 30 June 2026 are assessed at AUD 76,515 even if the visa decision is made after that date.
From 1 July 2026, all new nominations must meet AUD 79,499 regardless of when the underlying SID visa was granted.
If your nominated salary sits between AUD 76,515 and AUD 79,499, lodging the nomination before 30 June 2026 locks in the lower threshold. Seek legal advice immediately if this applies to your situation.
| Period | Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 | AUD 76,515 |
| From 1 July 2026 onwards | AUD 79,499 |
Subclass 186 Processing Times in 2026
Processing times for the Subclass 186 have blown out significantly since the 2023 amendments expanded the eligible pool of applicants. As of May 2026:
Important: These timeframes apply from the date of visa application lodgement. The nomination process and employer sponsorship approval are separate steps that precede the visa application — factor these into your overall planning timeline. Applications with incomplete documentation, requests for further information, or complex health or character matters will take longer. Always verify current processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
| Stream | 50% Processed In | 90% Processed In |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) | 13 months | 19 months |
| Direct Entry | 17 months | 20 months |
| Labour Agreement | 33 days | 9 months |
Relevant Legislation
Definition of Subclass 457/482 Worker
Migration Amendment (Expanding Access to Temporary Residence Transition Stream) Regulations 2023 makes the required amendments to the Regulations to give effect to the changes that expand pathways to permanent residence for TRT stream SC 482 and 457 skilled workers.
This instrument amends:
- Reg 5.19 to expand access to the TRT streams of the Subclass 186 or 187 visas for all holders of SC 482 and SC 457 visas, regardless of the stream in which their visa is held;
- reduce the length of the eligibility period that is required for approval of a nomination in the TRT stream eligibility period, from 3 years in 4 years, to 2 years in 3 years;
- remove the requirement for the occupation identified in the nomination to be on the MLTSSL or the ROL, ensuring that applicants under the TRT stream are not disadvantaged if their occupation is removed from the relevant occupation list;
- extends the permission to allow all employers including parties to a work agreement who sponsored a worker under a labour agreement, to make a nomination under the TRT stream;
- removes the limit on the number of Subclass 482 visa applications in the Short term stream that can be made in Australia.
This Instrument commenced on 25 November 2023.
Subsequent Legislative Update — Skills in Demand Visa (December 2024)
The Migration Amendment (Skills in Demand) Act 2024 replaced the Subclass 482 TSS visa with the Skills in Demand (SID) visa from 7 December 2024. SID visa holders are eligible for the Subclass 186 TRT stream under the same conditions as former TSS visa holders. The 2023 amendments to Regulation 5.19 continue to apply and have not been revoked. References to “Subclass 482 worker” in the TRT stream regulations are now read to include SID visa holders.
Amendments to Temporary Residence Transition stream
Migration Legislation Amendment (Expanding Access to Temporary Residence Transition Stream) Instrument (LIN 23/078) 2023 has been released to complement the amendments to the Migration Regulations that will give effect to the changes to provide access to permanent residency for an expanded cohort of Subclass 482 and certain Subclass 457 visa holders.
These amendments are made primarily through changes to Subregulation 5.19 and Schedule 2 Subclass 186 and 187 regulations and commences on 25 November 2023.
The amendment amends two instruments in the following manner.
Age Requirement for Subclass 457/482 Worker
LIN 19/216: Exemptions from Skill, Age and English Language Requirements for Subclass 186, 187 and 494 Visas 2019 is amended to:
* alter the definition of Subclass 457/482 worker to reduce the period of time the applicant must have worked for the employer who made the nomination from 3 years to 2 years in the last 3 years, immediately before application for a Subclass 186 or 187 visa
* alter the definition of the Subclass 457/482 worker who is not required to meet the age requirement because they meet the FWHIT is reduced from 3 years to 2 years employment
Regional Medical Practitioner Applicant
* alter the definition of regional medical practitioner applicant to reduce the period the applicant is required to have been employed as a medical practitioner in a regional areas from 3 years to 2 years;
Removal of COVID-Related Concessions
* remove references to COVID related concessions exemptions as redundant.
Removal of bars on application under TRT
Migration (LIN 19/049: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities—Subclass 186 Visa) Instrument 2019 is amended to:
* remove Subsection Part 2,6(1) which currently specifies the requirement to have an occupation on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills List for the TRT stream and other references to that subsection.
This Instrument will continue unchanged for the Direct Entry Stream
While these changes will increase access to permanent residency for temporary skilled workers, the migration program planning levels will not change for the 2023/24 program year.
As these changes increase access to permanent residency for temporary skilled visa holders, there is likely to be a surge of applications, which in turn will impact the Department of Home Affairs processing times.
Processing times for the Subclass 186 TRT stream are currently running at approximately 13 months at the median and up to 19 months for 90% of applications — significantly longer than at the time of the 2023 amendments. Applicants should plan their lodgement timeline accordingly and ensure all documentation is complete and decision-ready at the time of lodgement to avoid further delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can SID visa holders access the Subclass 186 TRT stream?
Yes. SID visa (Subclass 482) holders are eligible for the Subclass 186 TRT stream under the same conditions as former TSS visa holders. The 2023 amendments to Regulation 5.19 that expanded TRT access continue to apply to SID visa holders.
Q. What is the minimum salary for a Subclass 186 TRT nomination in 2026?
Nominations lodged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026 must meet the CSIT of AUD 76,515. From 1 July 2026, this increases to AUD 79,499. Nominations lodged before 30 June 2026 are assessed at the current threshold even if the visa decision is made later.
Q. How long does the Subclass 186 TRT stream take to process in 2026?
As of May 2026, the TRT stream processes 50% of applications within 13 months and 90% within 19 months from the date of visa application lodgement. These timeframes do not include nomination processing, which is a separate step.
Q. Do I still need to work for my employer for 2 years before the TRT nomination?
Yes. Following the November 2023 amendments, the minimum work period was reduced from 3 years to 2 out of the last 3 years before nomination. You must have worked for the nominating employer (or in the same occupation for medical practitioners and certain executives) for at least 2 of the 3 years immediately before the nomination is lodged.
Q. Is the Subclass 187 RSMS TRT stream still available in 2026?
Yes, but its eligibility pool is extremely limited. The Subclass 187 TRT stream is only available to transitional 457 and 482 workers. As the 457 visa has been abolished and the 482 TSS visa has been replaced by the SID visa, very few new applicants remain eligible. Most regional workers should pursue the Subclass 186 TRT or Direct Entry stream instead.
Need help? Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers can assist.
Please contact our Team of immigration specialists at Augustine & Co. should you require professional assistance with any aspects of the changes, which have expanded employer-sponsored pathways to permanent residency.
Author
Calvin Augustine is the founding solicitor of Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers. He graduated with Honors from the University of London law school, before being admitted to practice in Malaysia and Australia (admitted in SA, appears in all Victorian Courts and Tribunals, at trial and appellate levels).
