For the Subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream, a formal skills assessment is generally not required.

Because this stream is designed for applicants who have already been working in Australia for their sponsoring employer on a Subclass 482 (or 457) visa, the Department of Home Affairs typically accepts your existing employment history and your employer’s attestation of your skills as sufficient evidence of your competency.

Important Considerations

While a formal assessment is usually unnecessary, there are a few nuances to keep in mind:

• Discretionary Requests: Although not a standard requirement, the Department of Home Affairs retains the right to request a skills assessment if they have specific concerns about your qualifications, your experience, or the genuineness of your role.
• Mandatory Licensing/Registration: Even if you are exempt from a formal skills assessment, you must still hold any mandatory licenses or professional registrations required by state or territory law to perform your job in Australia. If your profession (e.g., nursing, electrical work, or engineering) requires a license to practice, failing to hold this will result in a visa refusal, regardless of the TRT stream exemption.
• Comparison to Direct Entry: Do not confuse the TRT stream with the Direct Entry (DE) stream. The Direct Entry stream does mandate a positive formal skills assessment for almost all applicants, as it is designed for those who have not necessarily worked in the Australian system for the nominating employer.

Summary Checklist

• TRT Stream: Formal skills assessment is generally exempted.
• Direct Entry Stream: Formal skills assessment is mandatory.
• Professional Requirements: You must still provide proof of mandatory local licensing or registration if your occupation requires it to operate legally in Australia.