At a glance: The Skills in Demand subclass 482 is a temporary, employer-sponsored work visa. Some eligible 482 holders may later apply for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186, including its Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. From 1 July 2026, salary thresholds and visa application charges changed. A 482 visa does not automatically become permanent residence.
For Hong Kong professionals considering an Australian employer-sponsored route, the key questions are the nominated occupation, employer, guaranteed earnings, eligible sponsored work period and the applicant’s own visa criteria. This guide outlines the 482 streams, the 2026 thresholds and charges, the 186 TRT pathway and practical checks. Always confirm the rules that apply to your circumstances before lodging.
1. The subclass 482 streams
The Skills in Demand (SID) subclass 482 replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. New applications are generally made under one of these streams:
- Specialist Skills stream: for eligible higher-skilled roles that meet the stream’s occupation and income requirements, including the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT). Relevant work experience and other criteria also apply.
- Core Skills stream: the nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and earnings must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) as well as the annual market salary rate for the role.
- Labour Agreement stream: eligibility depends on the relevant agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.
The former Short-Term and Medium-Term streams do not apply to new SID 482 applications. Each stream has additional occupation, experience, English, employer and nomination requirements; meeting a salary threshold alone does not establish eligibility.
2. Salary thresholds and visa charges from 1 July 2026
| Item | 2025–26 | 2026–27 (from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) | A$76,515 | A$79,423 |
| Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) | A$141,210 | A$146,576 |
| Subclass 482 visa charge (main applicant) | A$3,210 | A$4,015 |
| Subclass 186 visa charge (main applicant) | A$4,910 | A$6,140 |
The relevant threshold is generally determined by the date the employer lodges the nomination, rather than the date the visa application is lodged. A 482 visa granted before 1 July 2026 does not have its existing visa conditions automatically changed solely because the threshold has increased. For a nomination, earnings must meet both the applicable threshold and the annual market salary rate. The income test concerns guaranteed annual earnings; irregular or non-guaranteed bonuses should not be treated as guaranteed salary.
The amounts above are government visa application charges for the main applicant only. They exclude charges for family members, employer sponsorship and nomination costs, the Skilling Australians Fund levy, health checks, police certificates and other case-specific expenses. Check the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing table before lodging, as charges can change.
3. Moving from a 482 visa to subclass 186: the TRT stream
The subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream is one possible employer-sponsored route to permanent residence for eligible 482 holders. It is an application pathway, not an automatic conversion. Common requirements to check include:
- Sponsored work period: generally, at least two years of eligible sponsored employment in the three years before applying, subject to the applicable visa and nomination rules.
- Employer nomination: a qualifying Australian employer must nominate the applicant for an eligible position, and the nomination must meet the relevant requirements.
- Age: applicants are generally required to be under 45 at the time of application, unless an exemption applies. Exemptions are limited and depend on the applicant’s specific circumstances.
- Salary: the nominated position must meet the applicable salary threshold and annual market salary rate requirements.
- Other criteria: occupation, skills, English, health, character and all other relevant visa criteria still need to be satisfied.
From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work High Income Threshold is A$190,100. Certain age exemptions for sponsored workers have additional work-history and income tests. Reaching this amount alone does not qualify someone for an exemption; check the current Home Affairs criteria for the specific pathway.
See the Home Affairs subclass 186 TRT requirements and the Fair Work Ombudsman 2026 annual wage review for current details.
4. Practical checks for Hong Kong applicants
- English test: the accepted tests, minimum scores and validity depend on the test date and visa criteria. For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025, Home Affairs lists CELPIP General, IELTS, LANGUAGECERT Academic, Michigan English Test, OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. Results generally need to meet the requirement in one approved test; scores cannot be combined across different tests. For TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after 21 January 2026, select “Taking TOEFL for Australia” when registering. Check the current subclass 482 English requirements.
- Nomination timing and salary: if the employer lodges the nomination on or after 1 July 2026, confirm the new threshold and market salary rate before finalising the offer.
- Occupation: Core Skills applicants should check that the nominated occupation is on the CSOL; other streams have their own occupation requirements.
- Plan for the 186 timeline: work backwards from the possible two-year sponsored-work requirement, and keep employment, nomination and visa records. Whether a particular period counts must be checked against the rules.
5. How does 482 to 186 compare with the 189, 190 and 491 visas?
| Comparison | 482 to 186 TRT | 189 / 190 / 491 skilled visas |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Eligible employer nomination and sponsored employment | Occupation, skills, points and the relevant invitation or nomination criteria |
| Main factors | Employer, position, salary and eligible sponsored work period | Occupation lists, points, Expression of Interest and state or territory nomination where applicable |
| Visa status | Subclass 186 is permanent residence if approved; subclass 482 itself is temporary | Subclasses 189 and 190 are permanent visas; subclass 491 is provisional and has separate pathways and conditions for later permanent residence |
If you already have an Australian employer, a 482-to-186 route may be worth assessing. If you do not, compare the occupation, points and nomination requirements for the skilled visas. There is no single route that fits everyone. You can also read our overview of Australian skilled migration occupations and points.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to hold a 482 visa before applying for 186?
The TRT stream generally requires at least two years of eligible sponsored work in the three years before applying, along with an eligible employer nomination and all other applicable criteria. The period must be assessed against the rules; holding a 482 for two years by itself is not enough.
Do I need a salary increase because the threshold changed?
A new nomination is generally assessed against the threshold applicable when the employer lodges it. A 482 visa already granted before 1 July 2026 does not have its existing conditions automatically changed because of the threshold update. A later 186 nomination must meet the requirements in force at that time.
Is there a separate 482 pathway for Hong Kong applicants?
The subclass 482 criteria apply according to the relevant stream and the applicant’s circumstances. Do not assume an exception applies based only on nationality or passport; check any current Hong Kong-specific measures and the relevant visa rules before relying on them.
Sources and important information
Policy information checked on 13 October 2026. Key references include the Department of Home Affairs pages for subclass 482, salary requirements, subclass 186 TRT, 482 English requirements and Fair Work Ombudsman’s high income threshold information. Recheck official sources before applying, as fees and requirements may change.
This article is for general information only. It is not immigration legal advice, investment advice or a promise of approval. Outcomes depend on the applicant’s circumstances, occupation, employer eligibility, supporting documents and official assessment. Obtain professional advice for an individual assessment before making decisions or lodging an application.
John Hu Migration Consulting has a MARA-registered team and 17 years’ experience helping more than 6,000 families. To discuss your 482 and 186 plans, complete our free assessment form. Hotline: (852) 3568 1436; WhatsApp: (852) 9178 8523.