The road to permanent residency in Australia often feels less like a straight line and more like a maze with moving walls. Whenever you think you have a handle on the requirements, a legislative instrument changes, or a new policy is released, leaving you questioning your eligibility.
This was exactly the case following the government update on 29 November 2025 regarding the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. Thousands of skilled workers were left scratching their heads, worried that their hard-earned work experience might effectively ‘expire’ if they had changed employers.
Fortunately, the Department of Home Affairs provided much-needed clarity for 2026 regarding the ENS Subclass 186 visa. If you have been stressing about whether your previous employment counts toward your permanent residency pathway, you can take a deep breath. This blog breaks down exactly what work experience counts, what doesn’t, and how these changes benefit both skilled workers and Australian employer visa holders.
Understanding the New ENS Subclass 186 Confusion
To appreciate the relief this clarification brings, we first need to look at what caused the panic. Late in 2025, the government updated the wording around the TRT stream. The specific change stated that the required work experience must be undertaken with an “approved work sponsor.”
On the surface, that sounds reasonable. However, the wording was ambiguous enough to cause widespread concern regarding ENS 186 visa regulations. Many applicants interpreted this to mean that you had to remain with the same sponsor for the entire qualifying period.
The stakes here are high. To be eligible for the TRT stream, you generally need to have worked for your employer for at least two out of the three years before the nomination is made. If changing jobs meant resetting that two-year clock, many skilled migrants would find themselves stuck on temporary visas for years longer than anticipated.
Key Clarifications for ENS Subclass 186 Applicants
Here is the good news: The Department has confirmed that the intent of the rule change was never to penalise legitimate workers who change jobs. The flexibility of the scheme remains intact, provided the work was genuine and compliant.
For those navigating Subclass 186 work experience requirements, here is what you need to know:
- Previous Sponsors Count: Experience with a previous sponsoring employer is absolutely valid. You do not need to have stayed with one single boss for the entire two-year period. As long as you were sponsored for the role you performed and the role matched your visa, that time goes toward your total.
- Bridging the Gap: This is a crucial detail for anyone who has transferred nominations. Your work experience can count from the date a new nomination is lodged, not just from the date it is approved. This covers that awkward limbo period where you are working lawfully but waiting on Departmental processing.
- Sponsorship Continuity: Your current employer does not need to have been the approved sponsor for the entire duration of your employment history. They only need to be the sponsor for the relevant period they are claiming.
Basically, if you moved from Company A to Company B, and both sponsorships were above board, you generally won’t lose your accrued time toward the ENS Subclass 186.
Social Media Spotlight
Confused about how these dates stack up for your specific situation? We have broken down the timeline visually over our socials.
Check out our latest post for a quick-reference guide on these changes: View the Update Here.
Make sure you follow Excel Migration on Instagram for real-time updates on Australian migration law. We post the moment news breaks, so you are never left guessing.
When Does Experience Not Count?
While the clarification is largely positive, there is an important exception to the rule. The Department has emphasised that these allowances are for compliant, genuine arrangements.
If your previous employer was barred, sanctioned, or had their sponsorship cancelled due to non-compliance, that specific period of employment generally cannot be used toward your TRT requirements. This rule exists to protect the integrity of the visa system.
It prevents situations where work experience is claimed under an employer who was exploiting the system or failing to meet Australian labour standards. If you suspect a previous employer had issues with their sponsorship obligations, this is where Australia skilled visa guidance becomes essential. You may need a professional to review your employment history to see if that period acts as a ‘gap’ in your eligibility.
Old Fear vs. New Reality
If you are a visual learner, here is a quick comparison of how the interpretation has shifted from the initial panic in late 2025 to the current clarification in 2026.
The ‘2025 Fear’ | The ‘2026 Reality’ |
“I must stay with one employer.” | False. You can change employers. Multiple sponsors are allowed as long as the work is genuine. |
“Changing jobs resets my 2-year clock.” | False. You can combine experience from compliant previous sponsors to meet the 2-year requirement. |
“Processing time doesn’t count.” | False. Work experience counts from the date the new nomination is lodged, helping you bridge the gap. |
“Any sponsored work counts.” | Clarification. Only work with compliant sponsors counts. Work with barred/sanctioned sponsors is excluded. |
Next Steps for Your Permanent Residency
The recent clarifications regarding the ENS Subclass 186 visa are a win for common sense. They acknowledge the reality of the modern workforce, where people change jobs, businesses restructure, and skilled migrants shouldn’t be penalised for normal career progression.
However, while the rules are more flexible than initially feared, they are still strict regarding compliance. Don’t leave your permanent residency to guesswork.
If you are approaching your two-year mark or thinking about changing employers, contact the team at Excel Migration. We specialise in navigating complex legislative changes to secure Australian PR for skilled workers. Let us assess your eligibility and ensure your application is watertight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Does my work experience count for the ENS Subclass 186 if I changed employers?
Yes, absolutely. The Department has clarified that previous sponsored work counts toward the two-year requirement, provided the previous work was fully sponsored, the role matched your visa, and the employer was compliant.
What happens if my previous sponsor was barred?
If a previous employer was sanctioned or barred from sponsorship during your employment with them, that specific period likely won’t count toward your TRT requirements. You may need to accrue additional time with a compliant employer to make up the difference.
Do these changes apply to the Direct Entry stream?
No. This specific update and clarification regarding “approved work sponsors” is focused on the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream work experience requirements. The Direct Entry stream has its own set of skills assessment and experience criteria.
How does the ENS Subclass 186 work experience calculation handle nomination processing times?
This is a win for applicants. When you move to a new employer, your work experience can generally count from the date the new nomination is lodged with the Department, rather than waiting for the final approval. This ensures you aren’t losing valuable weeks or months during processing delays.