Under the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream, 457 and 482 Visa holders can apply for Permanent Residency under certain conditions, according to a Legislative Instrument released by the Department of Home Affairs. No eligible visa is mentioned in this section, which opens a pathway for people working for The Short-Term Stream of the 482 Visa, which allows employers on visas other than 457 and 482 to take advantage of this program by transitioning to a 186 TRT after three years.

The employee must still meet the requirement of working for two whole years in the previous three years for 457 Visa Holders (applied for or granted prior to 18 April 2017) and three full years in the last four years for all other applicants. It must be for the same employer.There is still an issue with a limitation of 2 482 visa applications onshore, and we are waiting to see if the Department will relax this rule. If not, the applicant will have to go offshore to lodge a further application.The instrument makes allowance for people who could not work or had a work limitation directly related to Covid restrictions. That time could be cut short by a 2 or 3-year period.Find out more about Short-Term Stream 457 and 482 Visa holders who can apply for Australian PR here.