The Australian Department of Home Affairs has now officially implemented the Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025. This reform is considered the most significant overhaul of the employer-sponsored visa system in the past decade:

1. Clearer 482 → 186 PR pathway
2. Higher success rate for onshore applicants
3. Lower employer-sponsor risk & more stable processes
4. A powerful alternative to points-tested skilled migration

1. Four Core Changes (ALL Now in Effect)

1. ① 482 SID refusals can now be appealed to the AAT (Already in effect)

在 11 月 29 日之前：
✖ 境外申请人若被拒 → 基本无复审资格
✖ 风险极高

新规实施后：
✔ SID（Skills in Demand）被拒 → 可申请 AAT Merits Review
✔ 给申请人更多保障
✔ 境外申请者获重大利好
✔ 整体透明度与公平性升级

• ② Old & new 482 systems have been fully merged (Already in effect)

改革后：
✔ 审批逻辑标准化
✔ 权利义务清晰
✔ 合规要求明确
✔ 降低雇主担保风险

Meaning for applicants: Employers are now more willing to sponsor stable, long-term, lawful employees.

• ③ The 186 TRT PR pathway is now written directly into legislation (Already in effect)

The new law confirms: To apply for 186 TRT, the required 2 years of full-time work experience must be completed under an Approved Work Sponsor.In other words, the 2 years MUST meet:

• ✔ Employer holds a valid SBS (Standard Business Sponsor)
• ✔ No gaps in sponsorship approval during the work period 担保资格断档
• ✖ Work done for a non-approved employer → NOT counted

2. Before vs After the Reform (All changes now fully applied)

Before (Ended):482 visa holders only needed 2 years accumulated within the past 3 years. SBS status of the employer did not affect whether experience counted.

After (Now in effect):The 2 years must be lawful, compliant, continuous & under a valid SBS.

2年经验必须满足：
✔ 在 SBS 有效期内完成
✖ SBS 失效期间工作时间不计入
✖ 经验不能“混算”“模糊算”

3. SBS (Sponsor Status) Is Now More Critical Than Ever

(Already legislated)If an employer’s SBS expires:

• Work completed during that time does NOT count
• Applicants’ PR timelines are pushed back
• Serious cases may require restarting accumulation

Employers must:

• Renew SBS on time
• Pay attention if operating in industries with heavy staff rotation (hospitality, care, retail, franchises)
• Ensure no “SBS gaps”

4. Switching Employers (Now officially clarified)

The reform allows experience to be counted after switching employers, if:

1. ✔ The new employer already holds SBS
2. ✔ The switch occurs during the lawful bridging period (180 days)
3. ✔ Only work completed after the new SBS approval & nomination counts toward valid experience

SID refusals now reviewable → much safer

1. Real employees → employers more willing to sponsor
2. SID 拒签可以复审，保障大幅提升
3. Stronger compliance framework → more stable pathways
4. 2years on a 482 → direct 186 PR

不需要：
✖ 分数
✖ 技术移民 EOI 排队
✖ 高分语言
✖ 学历加分
✖ 职业配额竞争

只需满足：
✔ 年龄 <45
✔ Approved Sponsor
✔ 2年合规全职工作经验

6. Two Critical Actions You MUST Take Now

① Immediately confirm whether your employer’s SBS is valid!If SBS expires → your experience = wasted.Especially risky if:

• SBS expiring within 6 months
• Employer has never checked SBS status
• You're in long-term sponsorship industries

② Confirm whether your work experience is “valid experience” under the new law.Avoid situations where:You worked continuously.BUT due to SBS gaps or employer switch issues → Your experience does NOT count.