Australian Work Visas Explained - 2025 Update
Are you confused about which employer-sponsored visa is right for you — the 482, the 494, or the 186? Maybe your employer wants to sponsor you, but you don’t know which visa gives you the best chance at permanent residency.
Stay with me, because in the next few minutes, I’ll break down the key differences, eligibility criteria, and real-world scenarios where one visa might work better than the other!
What Are These Visas?
Let’s start with a quick overview of each:
✅ Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa (SID)
A temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years.
This visa includes streams like:
Core Skills
Specialist Skills
Labour Agreement
✅ Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
A temporary visa for designated regional areas. Valid for 5 years and offers a clear pathway to permanent residency via the 191 visa after 3 years.
✅ Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
This is a permanent residency visa. Two main streams:
Direct Entry (DE): For those not holding a 482/457 visa
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT): For those who have worked on a 457 or 482 for 2 out of the last 3 years
Sponsorship & Nomination Differences
✅ 482 and 494 Visas:
Require a Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)
For 494, the business must be located in a designated regional area
✅ 186 Visa:
Does not require a separate sponsorship application
Employer must submit a nomination under Regulation 5.19
Occupation Lists & Skill Requirements
482 (SID):
Occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Must meet stream-specific requirements
494:
Occupation must be on a regional occupation list
Must meet skill requirements for the nominated occupation
186:
Direct Entry: Occupation must be on the CSOL and align with ANZSCO 2022
TRT: Must be same occupation as previously granted 457 or 482
Note: 482 and 186 use ANZSCO 2022, while 494 uses ANZSCO 2013
Key Requirements Comparison
When to Choose 494 Over 482?
Choose 494 if:
You're working in a regional area
Your occupation is not on the 482 list, but is eligible for 494
You want a guaranteed PR pathway through the 191 visa
You want Medicare access
Choose 482 if:
You're located in a metropolitan area
You are not eligible under regional definitions
Choose 186 TRT if:
You've already completed 2 years on your 482 visa in the same occupation
You’re eligible for the direct PR pathway
3-Stage Visa Process (for 482 & 494)
The 482 and 494 visa processes involve 3 stages:
Sponsorship application (not required for 186)
Nomination application
Visa application
✅ For the 494, there is an RCB assessment required — the Regional Certifying Body must certify the position and salary meets local standards.
How We Can Help
At Nationwide Migration and Education, we’ve helped hundreds of clients — from small businesses to complex individual cases — navigate the 482, 494, and 186 visa pathways successfully.
Whether you’re:
Unsure about which visa is right for you
Struggling with eligibility issues
Needing support with skills assessments or employer documents
👉 We’re here to help.
📞 Book a consultation via our website or give us a call.
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Disclaimer:
The information shared by Nationwide Migration and Education is for general informational purposes only. While accurate at the time of publication, details may change. This content is not intended as legal or migration advice. For advice tailored to your circumstances, please book a consultation with us.
