Australia has modified the temporary residence rules for foreign workers, including those holding Skills in Demand visas. The applicants for the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 visa must finish the necessary work experience with an authorized sponsor in accordance with the recently released Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025, reports Smith Stone Walters, an Envoy Global company. The rules are already in place, effective November 29, 2025.
Temporary Residence Transition visa
Temporary Residence Transition visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their current employer, live and work in Australia permanently. To be eligible for a Temporary Residence Transition visa, one must hold a subclass 457, 482, or eligible bridging visa, have worked in eligible sponsored employment for at least 2 years full-time while holding a subclass 457 or 482 visa, and have been nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved in the 6 months before they apply.
Permanent Residence
Those who have held a specific visa, such as a Skills in Demand (SID) Subclass 482 visa, for at least two years in the three years before applying and who have completed at least two years of full-time work experience in the designated occupation are eligible for permanent residence under the TRT stream of the ENS visa.
A 482 (SID) visa holder who stops working for their visa sponsor has been permitted to work for any company for six months starting in December 2024, as long as their visa is still valid. This work may count toward the work experience requirement for the TRT stream of the 186 visa, according to Smith Stone Walters.
From November 29, 2025, the TRT-stream work experience requirement only applies to employment under an authorized sponsor. Employers are encouraged to examine the applicant’s employment history if they intend to sponsor 482 (SID) visa holders for a TRT-stream ENS visa starting on this date.
