Your Rights & Obligations When Changing Employers on a Subclass 482 Visa

Introduction

Whether you have been made redundant, are planning to resign, or have found a better opportunity, changing employers on a Subclass 482 visa can feel daunting. The good news is that the process is well-defined and, with recent changes, more flexible for a visa holder.

This guide provides clear, practical steps to help you navigate the rules and timelines. It will walk you through your rights and obligations, the process of linking your visa to a new sponsor, and offer Adelaide-specific insights to give you a strategic advantage.

The 180-Day Window: Critical Timeframe & Rules

180-Day Consecutive & 365-Day Total Limits

Significant changes effective from 1 July 2024 have provided more flexibility for a Subclass 482 visa holder who ceases employment. If you stop working for your sponsoring employer, you now have up to 180 consecutive days to:

• Find a new sponsor
• Be granted a different visa
• Depart Australia

This extended timeframe applies to both existing visa holders and those granted a visa on or after this date.

In addition to the 180-day period, there is a total limit that you must track. A visa holder cannot be without a sponsoring employer for more than 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period. This means any previous periods of non-sponsorship are counted towards this cumulative maximum.

For instance, if you previously ceased employment for 100 days, you would only have 265 days remaining in total for any future transitions.

It is important to note that any time spent without a sponsor before 1 July 2024 does not count towards these new limits. The 180-day clock officially starts from your last day of employment, and your former sponsor is required to notify the Department of Home Affairs of this cessation within 28 days.

Your Work Rights While Between Sponsors

During the 180-day transition period, you are granted flexible work rights to ensure you can support yourself financially. This is a significant departure from previous rules and allows a 482 visa holder to take on employment with other employers while searching for a new sponsor.

The flexibility extends to the type of work you can undertake. You are permitted to:

• Work in occupations besides the one for which your visa was granted
• Work in a different job
• Work for multiple employers
• Work for yourself

However, a critical condition applies: you must have officially ceased work with your sponsoring employer before you can begin working for another employer. You cannot work for your sponsor and another business simultaneously, unless your nominated occupation is on the specific exemption list.

Throughout this period, you must also maintain any mandatory licence or registration required for your nominated occupation.

Changing Your 482 Sponsor: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Find an Eligible Employer & Secure a Job Offer

The first step in changing your sponsoring employer is to find a new, eligible business that is willing to sponsor you. This prospective employer must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS)
• Be eligible and prepared to apply for SBS approval from the Department of Home Affairs

Once you secure a job offer, it is essential to confirm that the position is for the same nominated occupation as your current Subclass 482 visa. If you intend to change to a different occupation, be aware that the process becomes more complex and typically requires a new visa application, not just a new nomination.

Step 2: Your New Employer Lodges the 482 Nomination

After you have a job offer, your new employer must lodge a new nomination application on your behalf. This is the most critical step in the process, as it formally links your existing 482 visa to the new sponsor once approved. You do not need to apply for a new visa if you are remaining in the same occupation.

The nomination application requires the employer to demonstrate several key points to the Department of Home Affairs, including:

• There is a genuine need for the position within their business
• The role corresponds to the same occupation for which your original visa was granted
• Evidence of Labour Market Testing (LMT) has been provided, which usually involves advertising the role for at least four weeks to show that a suitable Australian worker could not be found

Step 3: When You Can Start Work with the New Sponsor

A crucial rule for any 482 visa holder is that you can only start working for your new sponsor after their nomination application has been approved. Commencing employment before the new nomination is approved is a breach of visa condition 8607 and can put your visa at risk of cancellation.

Even after the new nomination is approved, you are permitted to continue working for your previous employer solely to serve a contractual notice period. This exception allows you to fulfil your employment obligations without violating your visa conditions.

Changing Employers & Your Pathway to Permanent Residency

The Reduced Two-Year Work Requirement

Recent government reforms have streamlined the pathway to permanent residency (PR) for Subclass 482 visa holders through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. A significant change is the reduction of the required work experience. Visa holders now generally need to show they have worked in their nominated occupation for a total of two years, down from the previous three-year requirement.

To be eligible, this sponsored employment must meet several conditions, including:

• Being undertaken on a full-time basis in Australia
• Performed while holding a Subclass 482, Subclass 457, or an eligible bridging visa
• Completed within the three years immediately before you apply for the Subclass 186 visa

Your Work Experience Is Now Portable Across Employers

A major advantage of the updated system is that your work experience is now considered portable across different employers. This means you can combine the time you have worked for various approved sponsors to meet the two-year requirement for the 186 TRT stream. You are no longer tied to a single sponsoring employer to maintain your progress toward PR.

This flexibility allows a 482 visa holder to change employers without resetting their PR timeline. Furthermore, the work experience accumulated for the 186 TRT visa begins counting from the date your new employer’s nomination is lodged, not from the date it is approved. This ensures that the time spent waiting for the nomination to be processed is not lost and contributes to your PR pathway.

Sponsor Search: The Adelaide & South Australia Advantage

Key Sponsoring Industries in South Australia

South Australia’s diversified economy offers strong prospects for Subclass 482 visa holders, with significant demand in several high-growth sectors. Focusing your search on these priority industries can increase your chances of finding a new sponsoring employer.

Key industries with a demand for sponsored workers in South Australia include:

Industry Sector	Description & Focus Area
Defence & Space Technology	A core focus for Adelaide, with major projects in naval shipbuilding, systems integration, and a growing ecosystem of space startups.
Health & Medical Industries	SA Health, major hospitals, and private practices frequently need skilled workers, particularly in roles related to aged care and disability services.
Renewable Energy & Green Technology	A priority sector for the state with opportunities in wind, solar, and hydrogen projects.
Agribusiness & Wine Production	Regional areas have a strong demand for skilled workers in viticulture, food processing, and export logistics.
IT & Advanced Manufacturing	Supported by the Adelaide City DAMA, this sector includes roles in cybersecurity, cloud computing, automation, and robotics.
Construction	South Australia’s robust building and construction industry actively seeks skilled trades workers and engineers to meet demand.

A significant advantage in the region is the presence of two Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). These agreements provide employers with more flexible sponsorship arrangements than standard visa programs.

Additionally, DAMAs can offer concessions on age, English language ability, and salary thresholds, opening up more opportunities for visa holders.

Local Resources to Find a New Sponsor

Adelaide and South Australia provide a structured ecosystem of government-backed and local resources designed to help skilled migrants find new sponsors efficiently. Leveraging these services can give you a strategic advantage in your job search.

You can find local support through:

Resource	Description & Strategic Use
Skilled & Business Migration SA	The primary government body for information on priority industries and DAMA pathways. They offer free services like resume assistance and networking events.
Specialised Recruitment Agencies	Adelaide-based firms that specialise in placing skilled migrants. It is useful to ask if they have recently supported a 482 nomination.
Networking Groups & Industry Associations	Effective in South Australia’s tight-knit market. Examples include the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) or the Multicultural Communities Council of SA (MCCSA).
Targeted Job Searching	Focus searches on Adelaide’s innovation precincts, such as Lot Fourteen for space and tech, or the Tonsley Innovation District for advanced manufacturing.

Conclusion

Changing employers on a Subclass 482 visa is now more flexible, offering a 180-day window to find a new sponsor while allowing your work experience to remain portable for your PR pathway. The process requires your new employer to lodge an approved nomination for the same occupation, and you must wait for this approval before commencing your new role.

To navigate this transition with confidence and ensure compliance, contact Moya Migration Law’s experienced migration lawyers for trusted experiencedise tailored to your situation. Our Adelaide-based team can provide a clear strategy to protect your visa status and secure your future in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)